First Look At Don Don Donki’s Jem Outlet, Largest In S’pore

The popular Japanese discount chain opened its first Singapore outpost at Orchard Central mall in 2017, a two-storey behemoth that includes a supermarket, a food court and a bar called Drink Drunk Donki. Well, its Jem outlet also shares the same concept, except it occupies an even larger space. It also has an additional sushi counter on the second floor where you can buy freshly-made sushi and consume it at a dedicated seating area.

The JCube outlet, which also recently opened in Jurong last November and is walking distance from Jem, sells only foodstuff. The Jem outlet offers plenty of Japanese fresh produce, deli food and snacks too, but it has additional sections dedicated to selling lifestyle and beauty products, as well as Don Don Donki’s house brand Jonetsu Kakaku, which spans a variety of foodstuff, household goods and toys with wallet-friendly prices. “Our policy is to develop a nice product with low price based on customers’ opinions. We’ll never hesitate to spend time and effort to achieve it,” vowed a Japlish notice on Don Don Donki’s website.

You can top up on your Japanese sheet masks and cosmetics without having to trudge all the way to town now.

It caught some controversy when Don Don Donki first launched it at its Orchard Central store, but the company has brought back its selection of, er, male masturbation aids made by Japanese sex toy brand Tenga. The forbidden corner on the second floor is sealed off by an ironically attention-grabbing red curtain, which is emblazoned with ‘No Entry Below 21’. So now’s the time to test your spawn’s rule-abiding abilities.

Next to the adult toy section is... the children’s toy section, which has shelves filled with cute Pokemon and Moomin merch.

The snacks and drinks aisles take up a vast space on the second floor, ’cos that’s what everyone is here for.

It would be illegal to not have a Sweet Potato Factory at a Don Don Donki outlet, so here it is at the entrance of Level 1, churning out the gloriously fragrant baked tubers that Singaporeans love.

Fresh Japanese fruits and veggies are displayed tantalisingly in chillers and on shelves, with an entire chiller dedicated to boxes of Japanese strawberries. We like the fact that there is a lot more breathing space at the Jem outlet compared to the JCube one ⁠— the aisles are more generously spaced, and we feel comfier browsing the goods at leisure.

There is also a dedicated meat section with platters of Iberico pork collar slices, shabu shabu Brazilian beef and Japanese “cross-breed wagyu beef” going for a promotional price of $15 per 100g (usual price $19.90 per 100g) till January 19.

Cod roe is no longer a food item for only atas people at Don Don Donki.

Next, the delicatessen — like at other Don Don Donki outlets, this reliable deli offers warm pre-packed bentos, fried grub and onigiris that you can tapow home for a quick and convenient meal.

We also spotted gigantic pieces of chicken leg karaage (Japanese fried chook, $4.90 each). “Chicken is the most delicious with bone!” chirped an enthusiastic sign.

There is an escalator within the supermarket that will transport customers to the second floor. You will be immediately greeted by the cosy Drink Drunk Donki bar, which serves some 60 types of boozy drinks.

Is it necessary to have two Don Don Donki food courts in Jurong alone? We are not sure, but the food courts at the JCube and Jem outlets have vastly different stall concepts to warrant the both of ’em being walking distance away from each other. At Jem’s (smaller) food court, there are six Japanese stalls in total, with four being new-to-market.

Tokyo ramen chain Kohmen Tokyo opens its first Singapore outlet here, with a massive team of super friendly staff clad in blue. It offers a small but focused menu with two signature types of tonkotsu ramen: Jukusei Tonkotsu Ramen ($11.90) and Sakura Shrimp Tonkotsu Ramen ($13.90). Add an extra $6 for “all-in topping”, which gets you stir-fried Japanese leeks, kakuni (braised pork belly), black fungus and a ramen egg.

The one with the all-in toppings. We recommend splurging the extra $6; the creamy soy sauce-spiked pork bone broth is crammed with al dente noodles, crunchy leeks and black fungus, and insanely umami, tender chunks of braised pork belly. Comforting and oh-so-shiok.

Tempura and tendon specialist Ajifuku has affordable tendons (starting from $10.80 for a Vegetable Tendon to $21 for an Unagi Tendon).

Gently battered slabs of frozen Japanese eels are served with fluffy rice and julienned veggie tempura. We usually enjoy unagi with a sticky soy glaze, but this tempura unagi is also very yummy, especially with a dab of wasabi mayonnaise.

Tanjong Pagar kappou restaurant Teppan Kappou Kenji has a new concept here called E-Gaya, which specialises in Nagoya street food (its executive chef Kenji Okumura hails from Nagoya). You can get a budget-friendly meal of Miso Katsu Teishoku (Japanese set meal) here, which goes for $8.80 a set with your choice of egg yolk miso-rubbed pork or chicken katsu (chef Kenji also recommends the elaborately-presented Miso Nikomi Udon Teishoku, $13.80).

This popular Nagoya snack consists of fried chicken wings tossed in an umami sauce made with garlic, soy, mirin and sugar. The lightly crispy double-fried wings are then coated in a shower of black and white pepper. Kinda like eating a more gourmet version of Taiwanese fried chicken cutlet. Very flavourful and addictive.

Tonkotsu tsukemen chain Tsukemen Tetsu is popular in Japan, with outlets in high traffic areas like Shibuya and Roppongi Hills.

Chef Teppei Yamashita’s Teppei Syokudo Takumi has an exclusive steak menu where you can choose from three types of steaks, from the lowest-priced USA Sirloin Steak ($14.80 for 120g Regular size, $16.80 for 150g Large size) to the fanciest Teppei Premium A4 Wagyu Steak ($37.80 for 120g Regular size, $45.80 for 150g Large size). You can choose from either French fries or mashed potatoes for your side of carbs, and your preferred steak sauce (black pepper, garlic or mustard).

Japanese teishoku chain Ootoya has a Japanese cai png concept where you can choose your own main dish like chicken karaage with rice and soup (from $9) and enjoy a fuss-free meal.

Craving for sushi? The Jem outlet also has a dedicated sushi counter where you can buy pre-packed sushi and ready-to-eat grilled unagi.

And you can tuck into your spoils on the spot at this seating area that is separate from the food court, and decorated like a Japanese park during springtime. Cute.

Don Don Donki Jem opens January 15, 10am. #02-24/25/26 & #03-27/29 Jem, 50 Jurong Gateway Rd, S608549. Open daily 8am-12am (10am-10pm for food court). www.dondondonki.com.sg.

PHOTOS: KELVIN CHIA