Don Don Donki’s Harbourfront Outlet Opens With $7 Unagi Don & 50% Off Wagyu

Don Don Donki opens its latest outlet at Harbourfront Centre today (Oct 30). It is the ninth outlet for the Japanese discount chain, which had announced in 2017 — when it first arrived in Singapore — that it is planning to eventually set up 10 stores here.

Unlike its Orchard Central, Jem, JCube and City Square outlets, the 15,112 sq ft store at Harbourfront does not have a food court.

1/21

1/21

There was a long queue before the shop opened

Even before the store officially opened, there was already a long line of eager Don Don Donki fans waiting to enter the outlet.
The single-storey store is only accessible via a short escalator at the cruise centre, where ferry passengers usually board their ride to Batam.
2/21

2/21

The classic Don Don Donki sweet potatoes

The moment we entered the store, we were greeted by the welcome sight of Don Don Donki’s staple yakiimo (Japanese sweet potatoes). The outlet is ostensibly food-centric, with lots of fresh produce, prepacked deli food and Japanese tidbits.
3/21

3/21

Wagyu deals

Shoppers headed straight for the meat section, which was offering attractive three-day discounts for the opening till Oct 31.
4/21

4/21

Hokkaido wagyu sirloin steak

Like Hokkaido A4 wagyu sirloin steak, which was going for $50 for 200g (usual price $59.60).
5/21

5/21

Kyushu wagyu chuck roll

There’s also 50 percent off A4 wagyu chuck roll from Kyushu for your DIY sukiyaki sessions at home. A platter costs $50 for 500g (usual price $100).
6/21

6/21

$7 unagi don

Also on offer: an Unagi Don for $7, with generous slabs of glazed Japanese eels.
7/21

7/21

Hot stuff: $1 yakitori

One of the better deals we found was $1 XL yakitori skewers, which were all snapped up as soon as the staff trotted them out of the on-site kitchen. They’re sold in boxes of four or eight. A hilarious sign above the display warmer boasted: “Donki’s yakitori is BIG!”
8/21

8/21

Pork on your fork

Customers can also find a decent selection of fresh Hokkaido pork, ready-made gyudon beef (just heat up the pack of beef in hot water) and tonkatsu patties.
9/21

9/21

Frozen meals

A spacious section has chillers filled with ready-to-eat frozen meals.
10/21

10/21

Instant pasta

Like Nissin’s Cod Roe Cream Fettuccine ($5.50 a pack).
11/21

11/21

Hershey’s ice cream

Too lazy for go out for McDonald’s Hershey’s ice cream? Stock these boxes of Hershey’s ice cream bars at home ($5.50 to $6.90).
12/21

12/21

The sushi selection

Mainly popular picks like raw and aburi tuna and salmon nigiri sushi, and inari sushi,
13/21

13/21

Hot food section

There's an extensive hot deli section here, which has everything from freshly-made takoyaki to prepacked donburis.
14/21

14/21

Ramen bowls under $10

There are takeaway-only ramen bowls cooked a la minute, like Tori Ramen (promo price $7.90), Maze Soba (promo price $6.90) and other full-priced bowls like Char Siew Tori Ramen ($12.90).
15/21

15/21

Takoyaki made on-site

At the same counter where you order ramen, you can also buy ready-to-eat boxes of Mentai Mayo Takoyaki ($6.90).
16/21

16/21

Jumbo chicken karaage and grilled chicken leg
17/21

17/21

A range of bentos
18/21

18/21

$1.90 household section

Other than food, which this outlet mainly offers, you can also find a selection of Japanese household items going for just $1.90 each (that’s cheaper than Daiso’s $2). The products range from cleaning supplies like melamine sponges, to kitchen tools like measuring cups, to bathroom accessories, gardening knick-knacks and stationery items such as scissors.
19/21

19/21

Veggie section

While you can still stock up on some basic toiletries under Don Don Donki's house brand Jonetsu Kakaku here, there isn't a huge beauty and lifestyle section (the store itself is not super massive like Don Don Donki’s double-storey outlets). But if you're looking to shop for groceries, you can still buy a selection of Japanese veggies, dairy products like milk and butter, and chilled desserts including cakes.
20/21

20/21

Lots of snacks

You can also stock up on your Japanese tidbit stash here — there’s a huge selection here ranging from potato chips to the popular Apple Cinnamon Umaibo (Japanese puff corn snack). Also well-stocked: the instant noodles and cup noodles shelves.
21/21

21/21

Smooth payment process despite the crowd

There are some 9 to 10 cashier counters here with safe distancing measures in place, so we didn’t have to wait too long to pay for our purchases. There’s a cute beach theme here, as this outlet is right by the sea (but nope, there’s no ocean view in the store). Take note that this Don Don Donki outlet opens only till 11pm daily.
#03-23/38 Harbourfront Centre, 1 Maritime Sq, S099253. Open daily 10am-11pm. www.dondondonki.com.
PHOTOS: YIP JIEYING