Great food. everything is prepared on-site. Huge portion, beef was very tender. Price was very reasonable and affordable.

Don Don is the spot for cheap, student eats. We'd walked by it a few days earlier and vowed to come back to see what the hype is all about. We dropped in on a Sunday for a late lunch (around 1:30pm). The place is non-stop busy but there's plenty of seating. We grabbed a table in the back. You order at the counter, wait a minute or two and voila, your bowl is served. Grab cutlery and you're golden. The menu is short and sweet. 11 options including don, noodle soup and bento box. Everything is under $10.00 AUD. So cheap we went back and got takeout for the evening. - Sashi don (#10) ($9.80 AUD) - salmon/ocean trout sashimi on rice. - Don Don box (#11) ($9.40 AUD) - chicken, beef, salad and rice bento box. - Buta teriyaki don (#2) ($7.40 AUD) - pan grilled pork on rice. - Beef curry don (#5) ($7.70 AUD) - sliced beef with curry on rice. - Teriyaki don (#3) ($7.40 AUD) - pan grilled chicken on rice. Cash only. I see why it's popular with the student crowd. Solid spot. read more

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Don Don is perfect for starving students, or anyone else on a budget. Everything on the menu is under $10 and the serving sizes are plentiful. Mind you, a big portion of the meals are white rice. The menu is limited to the basics and includes a few vegetarian options as well as miso soup and tea. The place was packed on a Tuesday evening, but the food quickly flew out of the kitchen. Disturbingly quickly... before I'd even managed to pull the correct change out of my wallet, my meal had hit the counter. This place isn't pretending to be something it's not. It just does what it does well - cheap, filling, and fast. read more

Decent and quick. Seems like all of Melbourne got the memo about eating here because the line was constant, even through there were three cashiers and they moved quickly. The beef sukiyaki was well flavored, although very fatty. The miso soup was unusual to my taste, a bit sweet. The prices were vey fair, and food preparation took five minutes or less, which means hey must just have a big cat of everything cooking in the back and waiting to be ordered. Pretty basic menu options. Some dishes over rice, some in a bento. Only a few beverage options. You order and get your food, but they have someone coming around to bus the tables. I liked the seating options, lots of communal including a big round table in the back, and plenty of smaller tables. read more

Don Don Australia - Japanese Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

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The beef is a bit dry and over cooked for me and I chew it hard for some of them. more sauce would be much better. But it is worth the price read more

Don Don Australia - Japanese Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

Have you ever gone to a place where you've walked into the restaurant, ordered your food, got your food and heading out of the place in about 24 seconds flat? Say hello to your very little friend Don Don. Serving a mixture of teriyakis, currys, and sushi, Don Don is cheap and flavoursome Japanese food with lightning fast service. Although it caters mainly to students, the food is tasty enough for regular people to eat. The line outside is usually massive at lunchtime but it is the quickest line you can imagine. There is very limited seating inside and a small number of seats outside, so I'd recommend that you get it to take out and go and chill out on the grass at the Melbourne City Library across the road and get some people watching in. Pricewise, you cannot go wrong with Don Don. A Curry Don or Teriyaki Don will set you back about 7 bucks. The meat is really tender and juicy too. If you are thinking of going to Maccers or Hungry Jacks, don't do it. Hit up Don Don! In the time it has taken me to write this review they might have fed the population of a small country.... read more

Don Don Australia - Japanese Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

Very fast, great bargain! It only takes a few seconds and your food is ready to go! Also the staffs are very friendly. read more

Don Don Australia - Curry beef don - Japanese Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

I think this has to be the fastest fast food in the city. Whilst consuming my curry and rice, I watched as a customer took just 20 seconds to order, pay and be given his meal in a take-away container and head for the door. 20 seconds - I couldn't believe it. This Japanese restaurant is the epitome of the fast paced Japanese lifestyle. A production line of staff dish out the ready-made food directly behind the counter. Next to them is the kitchen where 3-4 chefs are busily cooking for the masses. The food is fast and cheap and the taste reflects it. If you've only got $7 in your pocket and 5 minutes for lunch or dinner then come on in. If you're after a quality experience and a care for your taste buds - keep on searching. read more

Don Don Australia - Japanese Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

I don't think I believed my friend whe she told me not to worry as the wait is really short, especially when the restaurant was packed and people were still ordering. Obviously she was delusional! I was very wrong. Having placed my order for terriyaki chicken, I waited maybe 3 minutes before my meal was ready. I know the Japanese are efficiently, but this was just lightening speed! Don don focusses on a small menu at prices under $10. It is often littered with RMIT students or people after a cheap and cheerful meal. It represents great value with comforting portions and always hits the spot! read more

Don Don Australia - Chicken terriyaki - Japanese Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

Five stars are fairly rare for me, so let it be known that Don Don is definitely a MUST EAT if you're ever in Melbourne. I've been living in Canberra the past few months and I've dreaded going out to eat -- it's always expensive and it's usually mediocre. However, before my week trip to Melbourne I decided to do a bit of cheap-eats research and Don Don came up constantly, so I decided to make a visit. I'm a HUGE fan of Japanese curry, it's sweet and salty and spicy and the best thing for a hungry stomach. When we first walked in we noticed that they were cash only, so we had to run back into the mall and get some cash. I was stuck between ordering the beef curry don (7.7AUD) and the sashi don (9.8AUD). The entire restaurant smelled of curry so my decision was easily made. I barely waited five minutes before my order came out. My friend on the other hand --who got the chicken curry don -- waited about fifteen minutes for her order. The serving itself is pretty large, easily filling up both my friend and I. The rice was soft and fragrant, the beef was tender and the curry itself was extremely flavorful. My only critique would've been that I would've enjoyed carrots or potatoes as those are usually included in traditional Japanese curry don. For my first meal in Melbourne Don Don was a great choice. I could see it being a great spot for a quick lunch or a simple supper. Just be prepared for a crowd. The line does move pretty quick, but that doesn't guarantee you a seat. read more

Don Don Australia - Japanese Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

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DonDon is a tiny Japanese store in the heart of the city that offers hearty and filling meals for a very low price- and an extremely quick waiting time (in fact, there isn't even a waiting time). Don Don offer just a handful of dishes including the very popular chicken teriyaki don and curry don. You order, pay, then pick up your meal instantly-Yes! They're that quick! DonDon is a very small shop, there are a few seats available inside if you don't mind being a little squished, otherwise most people just come for takeaway. The prices here are very reasonable as the serving sizes are quite large and the taste is appealing. I would recommend Don Don to those in need of a quick warm and hearty meal, it's not really a sit down and hang out type of place due to the size and nature of the shop. Best to just grab it takeaway and eat elsewhere. read more

Don Don Australia - Japanese Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

The sign is obscured so much by the overhanging fabric canopy that many don't actually know what this place is called. Many say 'that Asian place on the corner'. Buyer beware, Don Dons is not actually on the corner. It's the one often found with the queue out the door. The food is good, but first the food is cheap. It's simple and cooked in larger batches to be almost reheated and served to you almost too quickly, but the service is so fast eaters rarely seem to think about it. You can eat in, but most of the time the place is packed and takeaway us the better idea. The State Library lawn is just across the road anyway. read more

Don Don Australia - Japanese Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

My boyfriend and I were looking for a cheap (and if possible cheerful) place for lunch in the centre of Melbourne. I found Don don and we decided to give it a try. We almost missed it as it is a small place with no big visible sign, but the menu is displayed on the window. It is a very simple menu with only 9 dishes. My boyfriend ordered the teriyaki chicken with rice and I ordered the beef with rice. We were both not disappointed! The food only took 1 or 2 minutes to arrive, which is perfect as we were both really hungry! The chicken was the best teriyaki my boyfriend has ever had and although I found the beef a bit fatty, it was very good too (but like a previous Yelper, I am a bit particular about my meat!). We went back twice within the next 2 weeks and considering the choice of restaurants that Melbourne has to offer, I think that says a lot. We tried their bento box (lots of food! Very good) and also the tofu, which I read is very tasty but I still prefer meat. The customers there are a mix of students and business men in suit and although the place is always very busy, we always found a table to sit. We haven't tried to take away but it seems lots of people do it: it's cheap, the food gets here quick, perfect for when one is in a rush! We can't wait to go back to Don Don's next time we're in Melbourne! read more

A Melbourne institution; ask most students if they've eaten here and it will most likely be a yes. Cheap, quick, tastes good, what else could you want? It's not the most amazing Japanese in the world, but for the price it does the job. The teriyaki chicken don or the curry chicken don are the two more popular items, but the rest of the menu is pretty decent too. And a small tip, get your money ready before ordering! read more

Popular as ever. This Melbourne institution continues to deliver the goods. During peak periods a queue may form, trust me it is worth it. The new, for us, venues has heaps ore seating than the old one out on Swanston street, and several large tables near the front which means as a couple its not hard to get a seat, especially if one queues and the other nabs a table. This is a great place to tel up while in a shopping frenzy. read more

Don Don Australia - Japanese Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

So cheap and so good! (Cash Only!) Portion sizes are reasonable considering everything is around $8 - like a fast food Japanese restaurant. Your food is ready literally almost instantaneously - I think I waited 30 seconds? Also, the seating area is nice and clean, and there's a considerable amount of space considering the smallness of the joint. The staff are polite and efficient and well presented. Really yum read more

It was with only a few pink notes and coins on my person I went out yesterday looking for "cheap eats" which are not really fun to write about as not much has to be involved in the decision making process to buy something cheap and cheerful and go on your merry way. If you find it disgusting or delightful, you really don't take the time to tell your friends because what did you lose in the end? A $10 note? Surely nobody wants to read about such a tale on here. I suppose I will find out. So I meandered to Don Don on the corner of Swanston Street and Little Lonsdale Street. It is known seemingly as a popular Japanese teppanyaki takeaway and on this occasion, the queue for service was spilled out on to the street. Still being in a relaxed holiday mode, I had nowhere else to be so I happily joined the queue to see what all the fuss was about. This is a small venue and doesn't accommodate many seats for the ravenous diners. By the time I got to the counter and placed an order for a Teriyaki Chicken ($7) sweat was dripping down my back and through other crevasses throughout my body. It was hot in this place and with two queues; one for service and one to pick up food, I can't say it would have been very comfortable for the handful of people that choose to eat in the amazon rainforest-like conditions. After ordering, I joined the other queue to pick up my order, I was amazed at how efficient the staff were in getting punters out of there and filling orders. As there are a few tables outside and of course the green grass outside of the State Library across the street, there are other relaxed facilities to eat what incidentally I found find to be tasty takeaway. Cheap and cheerful indeed which beats the flavour of anything that you would get at Melbourne Central. I found very little cartilage attached to the chicken, which was freshly grilled. It is really good value for money in the area and you don't mind having a good sweat it is worth a visit. Top it off with a $1 large frozen coke from Hungry Jack's and a $7 ticket to see "Quartet" at the Palace Kino cinema and I was able to occupy myself and be satisfied for $15 all up for the afternoon. Now that is a cheap Monday worth writing and talking about. read more

Can't vouch for anything else on the menu coz I always get the chicken curry don. Been having it since my uni days struggling for money and even now that I'm working I still sneak out during breaks to order one. It's that GOOD!! Before you complain about the portions think about how much you're paying. Besides for something that's less than $7 you can order 2 and still get better value compared to eating out at places that charge $15 for a meal and another $3.50 for coffee. And though service may not be on everyone's list, at least in this place you know you'll be interacting with actual ppl instead of the soulless robots in Chinatown. read more

Let me go on record and say what you get for your money here is probably some of the best value in the city- Piping hot, fresh don that will fill you up for mere pennies... ..true Japanese fuel. read more

I don't expect much from their food here. I visit this place for a quick, fast and relatively cheap meal (living that great student life). I was surprised of how many people this place could accommodate - it looks tiny from the outside! The food isn't fantastic but it's not completely horrible as well. Try their chicken curry don if you are feeling indecisive. read more

Don Don has been known as one of the most affordable first sources of food for freshman RMIT students for over a decade. My sister introduced me to it way back when she was here for studies, and now it's my turn. Featuring a fairly sparse menu, they are nonetheless one of the most affordable in the CBD, as well as providing fast and efficient service whether for dining in or take out. Nowadays you have a much larger selection of Japanese food in the CBD, notably Hanaichi being a direct competitor just off in the QV. However, Don Don continues to be one of the first tips passed on to all RMIT students looking for a quick bite. read more

yum yum yum. this is a regular spot for me during the week whilst at uni. I usually grab it in between my two, three hour courses on Wednesdays. It's just a little hole in the wall across from QV but it's quick, easy and super cheap. I came in here last week on a rainy day to get some curry tofu don for 5.90 and some random even gave me 40 cents (don't judge, I'm on a student budget). This was one of the first times I've ordered Don Don to go and I don't suggest it. It was rainy so I got take-away and hopped on a tram home. By the time I got home the rice had consumed most of the curry which is usually plentiful and my meal was quite dry. From past experience, I find that there is usually more curry than necessary with a mere carot and single piece of broccoli. Because I knew this was typical of them, I asked for some extra broccoli (they substitute cauliflower sometimes) and of course extra pickled radish free of charge. I had never tried pickled radish prior to eating here but it's derricious! Seriously, give it a try sometime. I also suggest staying away from the meat options if you're like me and particular about the quality of meat your consuming. I wont lie, I wasn't a fan of Don Don's till I started eating the tofu curry don. Now that I know what I like, I'm in and out of the confined ordering area and eating my meal within two- three minutes, seriously. Just like the best prostitutes out there, this place is cheap, quick, & easy ;) read more

Don Don is my go to 'fast-food' place. Quick, cheap and tasty. Also near Melbourne Central for convenience. I don't think I've ever waited more then 2 minutes for a meal. Everything on the menu is under $10. The don don box has a bit of everything and my favourite thing on the very limited menu. I'd recommend it for a first time. Tables are sometimes dirty and customers are usually rude and obnoxious so keep your expectations low. This is not a place for service or high quality. Get in, eat, get out. read more

Simple, lightening quick, and really tasty. Seriously. Was going to a medical appointment. Had 5 minutes to get there, decided to walk the block to get Don Don and 30 seconds after entering, had paid and walked out. This place is a well oiled machine, and a simple menu makes amazing service possible. Rice, some curry, beautiful solid tofu(or chicken if thats your flavour) and thats all you need. Well done Don Don read more

Cheap eats with good choices for all. Japanese fast food, as it were, but not the regular maki rolls etc. Love the tofu or chicken curry myself, but everything is good and the price is hard to beat. Nothing fancy, but you didn't come here to have your curry bowl wiped and presented to you with micro herbs. read more

Don Don Australia - DonDon on the library lawns - Japanese Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

DON DON BOX - Beef Sukiyaki, Chicken Teriyaki, Steamed Rice & salad for under $10.00. YOU HAVE GOT TO BE JOKING. It must taste like crap? WRONG... I have just described the Don Don Box. Not only is it cheap, it tastes great. And who says "Japanese always leaves me hungry"? Not at Don Don. How do they do it for the money? I am guessing - Economies of scale. There would be 200 people through here at lunch time, both dining in and takeaway. The place is small, cramped and great. Don't expect any fine dining or any table service, just cheap and cheerful. The menu is small, simple but good value for money with the Don Don Box being the most expensive item on the menu. No deep fryer so don't expect tempura, and no sushi. They have selected meals that can be cooked to order in minutes. Even the beer is reasonably priced... Lunch Hint - if you get there about 10 minutes before the hour, you will get a seat - (Most people start lunch on the hour and there is a rush) - No reservations. Don't forget to say hello to Sharon for me, it's like she never takes a holiday. I don't know if the Lt Lonsdale Street store does dinner, but the Swanston Street & Bank Street (Sth Melb) stores are the same but are open for dinner. read more

In honour of Don Don's ridiculously speedy service, I'm going to write an equally speedy review. Went, ate, great. read more

Don Don Australia - Japanese Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

Cheap and cheerful. This is a small-ish, high volume restaurant with very basic Japanese fare. read more

Great Japanese restaurant if you're looking for some quick service and quality food worth your money. Honestly not much else to say about this place. Bento Boxes are filled with ingredients. The chicken, beef and other dons (rice bowls basically) have good flavour and taste nice. Food - 8/10 Service - 8/10 Price - 10/10 read more

Located just across the road from the State Library, Don Don is part of the staple diet of much of Melbourne's university student population for several reasons: it's super cheap (at between $6 and $8 per meal), fast, casual, and reasonably healthy. Don Don has a small menu of simple Japanese food, such as the very popular Chicken Teriyaki Don (served on rice with dried seaweed and pickled ginger for $6.20), Tofu Curry, Sukiyaki, and the generous bento box. Whilst it's not uncommon to find the occasional piece of cartilage in your serve of chicken (which can be forgiven for the price), the food is otherwise fresh and satisfying. The restaurant has an intimate layout with five or six staff members squashed into a tiny open kitchen, yelling orders to each other and service food with impressive speed. The dining area is quite cramped (with an authentic Japanese street restaurant vibe), which makes it more appropriate for a quick feed on your own than with groups of more than three, as it's unlikely you would find more than two seats available next to each other (if at all). read more

Don Don Australia - Japanese Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

First of all, I'm surprised Don Don has as low a star rating as it does- and the only reason I think this is because people don't appreciate it for what it is, and likely don't remember it's previous location on Swanston st. This was a hole in the wall with lines down the street, next to no seating room but the best, quickest Japanese rice bowls in the CBD. Today it is still the best and quickest for a Japanese meal, only now you can actually get a seat. Perfect for lunch if you work in the CBD and want to get in and out quick. Extremely flavorful chicken curry don, and really great bento boxes. I don't think I've ever waited longer than 2 minutes from ordering my meal to my food being ready for me to take to my table. It is my go-to for lunch when in the city - I no longer live in Australia, but when I come back to visit every year I always fit in at least one trip to Melbourne and lunch at Don Don. read more

Don Don Australia - Chicken curry don - the best ever - Japanese Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

Came about 3 times a week when I worked near because im stingy but lazy to make lunch. Nowhere else are you going to find food this good and such a decent quantity for that price. $5.9 for tofu curry Don...a dollar more for chicken. Half the time you get it before they give you your change... Cash only. 5 stars if you're on a budget. Tourist probably try other places whilst here. read more

The best place for cheap eats! Super fast and super tasty. Everyone is polite even thought it's always hella busy. Just decide what you want fast because the line is always long and the people don't like to be held up! Probably have to take away since it's always so full. read more

DOES NOT ACCEPT CARDS Cheap, super fast, quite tasty Quality of food and portioning varies from day to day. Some days when I've gone I've gotten the bowl filled almost to the top and others filled just above halfway. Taste and quality of food generally stays the same around 8/10 For what you pay 10/10 The place can get kinda filthy sometimes but who cares go eat your food at the state library lawn or in melbourne central. Also the place gets pretty packed so might have tk get takeaway. Been going here for years. Am going to keep going here for years read more

Nice cheap food in a tucked away location. Near Melbourne Central, so easy to get food and go. Good for grabbing a quick meal after travelling. read more

$6.40 for a chicken curry Don and it comes out in no less then 16 seconds. Amazing how fast these people work.

Curry chicken was really good (yum!) and portion was generous for what it cost.

I agree with most people it is decent and fast. The quality, quantity, and price is the same as most street food in melb (meaning nothing special here but the size of the place -huge-). Maybe if I'm in the neighbourhood I'll come by, but I won't make the effort to come here. You have the choice to chose the size, reduce or decrease the sauce portion, or ask for one kind of poultry in the don don box. read more

Old classic. Quick, cheap, tasty and easy. Can't go wrong when in need for a quick feed on a budget. And $1.8 for soft drink

Not sure why I love this place so much... I just do. I like how you can be struggling to put away the change in you pocket after ordering and you chicken curry don is already prepared and waiting for you. And that familiar saucy goodness smell like a lost friend to this docklands weary office worker. Worth the occasional tram journey to get to. Can you tell that I'm a fan? read more