I'm really indecisive. And when you put me inside the food court of a Japanese Market, it's gonna be hard to decide what I want to eat. But Don Don Tei sucked me in with their attractive fake food display. One glance at the katsudon and I was sold! I was soooo excited that I even bought the large size... However, the taste left for more to be desired. The flavor was not bad, but it wasn't great either. It just...existed. The rice bowl lacked flavor, and the taste was one dimensional. The pork chop was bland and could've benefited from more marination. However, the pork pieces were huge and the portion was generous. I will say though, the sauce nicely coated each speck of rice lol. Service was prompt and the food came out fairly quickly. The price point is affordable. The restaurant is located inside the Mitsuwa food court, so seating is sometimes hard to find on busy weekends. Overall, if you're craving a rice bowl, this place will suffice. Perhaps maybe they perform better on their other dishes? read more

Don Don Tei - Storefront - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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I've had 2 things here, the katsu-don and the special ten-don. The katsu-don was whatever. The egg over powered everything and ended up being super soggy. There wasn't much meat and it tasted pretty rubbery. The special ten-don was decent though. I was quite happy with it. They were all fried and battered really well. I also liked that it was pretty light on sauce. read more

Havent tried this stall before! Prices here are comparable as the other shops, i wanted to try this place since i wanted katsu and an egg. It was around $10 for my bowl. The katsu was good but soggy by the time i got it. The katsu and rice is covered in this sauce, and the onions are very flavorful too. Very simple meal, but good for $10 in this economy! read more

Don Don Tei - Chicken katsu don bowl - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Great mom & pop shop located inside the Mitsuwa food court. I walked around and reviewed each shop but based on price point and entree selections, I went back to Don Don Tei. I'm so happy I chose this place. I had the #6. Oyako-Don and the Mini Salad & Miso Soup set all for just $12.07. Wow what a great deal for a quick and hearty meal that is tasty. The mini salad and miso set made it on the healthier side too. I had to ask for soy sauce and some spice which they gave me Japanese red pepper powder. These did the trick in enhancing the flavor. What's nice about this food court is that they have staff who will bus your table. I came on a weekday before noon which wasn't too busy but as so soon as noon hit, the food court was bustling. Parking at Mitsuwa can be tight and challenging but do a quick circle and you're bound to find something. It's great they serve the Oyaka-Don in a ceramic bowl but not a fan of the cardboard containers for the soup and salad. Also wish we had real utensils to eat with rather than disposable. read more

Don Don Tei - Oyaka-Don with mini salad & miso soup set (all for just $12!) - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

This is a restaurant inside of a Mitsuwa Costa Mesa location. The order can be placed as a to-go item for certain products and not for other items. The parameters for that is unclear, but such is the ongoing nature and trend of many food establishments in SoCal. I ordered the katsudon to go. The order was made in-person and came out pretty quickly. I hate eating in a crowded food court especially at a place inside Mitsuwa. The tables are gross and people are everywhere. I find it too overstimulating. The food itself was ok. The seasoning didn't have enough balance between the salty, sweet, and umami flavors. It lacked the taste of dashi, mirin, and sake. So it had a rather one dimensional salty flavor and that was about it. The katsu itself was paper thin and it had the wrong cut of pork for it. The eggs were on the overcooked side and the rice had an odd sour vinegar taste to it. I presume they may have used the same rice utensils to scoop up what's meant for their seafood donburi like tekkadon for the katsudon. Ugh. Just another establishment I would give it a pass m unless I have a horrible craving for katsudon again. I really should have just waited 10 more minutes until Kagura opened at 1130. At least they excel in making katsu based goods. read more

Don Don Tei - Katsudon - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

For a price point under $15, pretty okay deal. Big fan of their rice actually, very well cooked and seasoned. The fish portion is a little small, the slices are very thin. But the minced tuna is really good!! Healthy and refreshing choice among the options at the food court and affordable. read more

Don Don Tei - Seafood mix don - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Hole-in-the-wall vibes tempura spot with reasonable prices. This place is okay/good and I come here when I miss Japan. The #3 special is the seafood mix and the #5 special is the egg-y pork mix. Both hit the spot when I'm craving tempura but it won't bring the magic like Japan. Bonus points for being able to buy extra goodies inside Mitsuwa to snack on as well. Also this place doesn't have AC so can get hot in the summer. read more

Don Don Tei - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Very busy parking lot, there is too much to do at Mitsuwa and they really need a larger lot. This food court is amazing and Don Don Tei is a great option. The rice bowls are a great price per value in this climate. The Chicken Katsu that we went with was basic but had everything you would want in at a very reasonable price. The taste was good and my 3 year old yelper gave them the same 5 stars that I would. Overall don't miss on this if you like Japanese rice bowls. read more

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Order the chicken katsu for little one and the portion is big!! I would say this is the cheapest compared to other food stalls. The chicken is crispy and it comes with bowl of rice and miso soup. The food came out so quick and it's clean!! It's just hard to find a table during the weekend. The place is super crowded. They also accept credit card now. Totally like this place!! read more

Don Don Tei - Chicken katsu set - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

FOOD: 5/5 SERVICE: 4/5 AMBIANCE: 4/5 In the Mitsuwa food court, I've tried basically every restaurant in here and this one has amazing value. The oyakodons are splendid! I've also tried their chirashi bowls, curry, and katsu plate but the oyakodons are the best. Nice and flavorful rice, soft egg, delicious! Would get again (and probably will lol) read more

Don Don Tei - Oyako-don - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Super good and low cost! It really is a little overwhelmingly crowded to come here on a weekend, so try to come on the weekdays! I got the Katsu bowl which was great for only 12$! read more

Don Don Tei - Store front - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Great meal overall! The eel don bowl was rich and savory -- the eel had a good amount of sauce and was super tender, paired perfectly with rice. The beef Japanese curry hit the spot with its warming, flavorful sauce and generous portions of tender beef. A bit more depth in the curry would've taken it to the next level, but both dishes were satisfying and well-prepared. Friendly service and a comfortable atmosphere make this a solid spot to return to in the Mitsuwa Marketplace. Prices were super affordable too! read more

I got the Mix Seafood Don to go and everything tasted amazing. Fish was fresh and it was very affordable! This is a small restaurant in the middle of Mitsuwa Food Court. The parking at Mitsuwa is very hectic but they have a parking garage so there's plenty of parking. Even though it was very busy and crowded, food came out very quick. While we waited we walked around the store. They have a Daiso connected and a lot of other things to look at. read more

Don Don Tei - Mix Seafood Don - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

This food court in Mitsuwa is so convenient and the options are often affordable and decent! I got the Salmon Don, simple and great. Getting lunch here is fun as its lively. I always feel really weird leaving the bowls and trays behind, but there's no return station and someone always comes to clean them up. read more

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As I walked into Mitsuwa's bustling food court, I felt like I was stepping into a Japanese mall food hall. It wouldn't be in Mitsuwa fashion if all the lines weren't long. I joined the long line at Don Don Tei, which thankfully moved fast enough that I barely had time to debate my order. I tried both the regular and Special Katsudon--and honestly, they tasted pretty much the same, except the Special seemed a smidge bigger (still not sure what made it "special"). The pork was tasty and comforting, but in a food court packed with tempting spots with Ramen, Yakitori, Udon and Curry, I'd probably explore other stalls first next time. Good, solid katsudon fix--but not a life-changing bowl. read more

Don Don Tei - Katsudon - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

There's no way you can get a bowl of authentic quality Katsu Don for $9.75 other than at DDT. It's the best shop at Mitsuwa Costa Mesa. read more

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At the Mitsuwa Marketplace food court, we got the tempura set for $11.95. It included shrimp, sweet potato, green bell pepper, zucchini, eggplant, and even salmon tempura pieces. I was really surprised to eat salmon when I expected sweet potato. All the pieces were nicely crispy yet not too greasy. The set also came with tempura sauce, miso soup, a small cup of tofu, and a bowl of rice. This is a worthwhile shareable appetizer because we all had something to eat for ourselves. read more

Quick service at the Mitsuwa food court, despite the busyness during the lunch rush on a Sunday. We got the Salmon Don and the Mini Katsu Don with Soba Set. Both were tasty. The salmon sashimi was FRESH and the portions were pretty good for the price. The foodcourt is always packed but we were lucky enough to find seating relatively quickly, before the food was ready! Definitely would come back for the Salmon Don after a quick grocery run at Mitsuwa! read more

Don Don Tei - Mini Katsu-don with Soba noodles and dipping sauce - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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I always order their green tea here! One of the best and so affordable. I need to try their food next read more

Don Don Tei - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Part of the food court in the Mitsuwa plaza in Costa Mesa - Don Don Tei - offers an alternative to fast food at affordable prices in an economic landscape that is becoming increasingly more pricey. The service is what one would come to expect in a very busy food court and the same goes for the ambience which is always crowded and scrambling to find a seat. The parking situation is still a chore even after the realignment and can often be as long as the wait to order the food. As for the food this is comfort level as it's satisfying and filling. This is not a gourmet experience so have to be reasonable with the expectations. The oyakodon is much better than some of the fancier versions made by local competitors as the chicken is tender and the sauce is fair and the cold soba act as a refreshing counter to balance out the meal. read more

Sunday we dropped into Mitsuwa Food Court to have some lunch - I grabbed a few sides at Mugimaru next door - but grabbed my entree here! The #5 Pork Katsu-don is always a winner! a bit bigger portion then the #4 its a perfect main dish for me. The Pork Katsu was perfectly cooked, not overcooked - the egg was delicious and just the right amount of rice to go with it! Pairs perfectly with the shrimp tempura and lotus root from next door =) I was a super happy camper when we left. well earned and maintained 5 star rating imo! read more

Second time here at Don Don Tei. Delicious. Inside of Japanese store in Costa Mesa. Great place delicious food. Nice and clean it gets kind of packed in the weekends but today on Friday at around 4:30 it is not packed at all. read more

This was about as much as I expected from a restaurant in a food court. It's not the highest quality fish, but it definitely curbs the sashimi/sushi craving and it's not bad for a bowl less than $15. The rice was seasoned well and they gave amount of fish compared to rice in the bowl. There was a good amount of seating but they have signs that say not to move the tables. The food court area is very open and it's exciting to walk around and see what all of the options are. read more

Don Don Tei - Seafood Mix-Don - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

This is my first review for Don Don Tei despite having been coming here for years. They have always been consistent. We love getting ramen next door and supplementing our meal with some bowls or bentos from here. Most recently we got the beef egg bowl, katsu plate, and tempura plate. The entrees are always very savory and delicious. The beef egg bowl was tasty, the beef cooked tender and juicy, and the rice nice and fluffy. The meals comes with miso soup. Katsu was a hit at the table. The tempura was good but I wish there was more for the price you're paying for. Overall very good and consistent. read more

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So, after discussing what my friend wanted, we headed to Mitsuwa Food court on a Sunday afternoon. It was busy but we secured a table right away. I decided to try Don Don Tei for the very first time and chose the Special Katsu Donburi. It was delicious!! The amount of pork katsu seasoned with egg-scramble was yummy! The juicy flavors permeates your mouth and the moist rice just perfect! The place is a food court, so noise is part of the experience. Will be back! read more

Don Don Tei - Special Katsu Donburi - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Don Don Tei inside Mitsuwa Costa Mesa is a solid option when you're looking for something quick and familiar. The food isn't bad--it's just not particularly special. I ordered the special katsudon, and honestly, it was just okay. The pork was crispy enough, the egg was soft, and the sauce was fine... but nothing really stood out. Then again, maybe it's unfair to expect fireworks from katsudon--katsudon is katsudon, after all. If you're already in Mitsuwa and want a warm meal that's consistent and satisfying, Don Don Tei does the job. Just don't expect anything that's going to blow you away. read more

Ive been coming here for years and it never disappoints with good portions and tasty food. I've had the Katsu on the tempura as well as the chirashi bowl. cool fast service and with prices is good. Who cares that its a food court read more

The very first place I ate and learned what a katsudon bowl is. Their food is very consistent. I have never had a bad bowl. Located inside the Mitsuwa market food court. Don don tei is a staple. Service is always quick. read more

Don Don Tei inside the food court at Mitsuwa Costa Mesa caught my eye with their variety of donburi and ten don bowls on display. The plasticized food display that I always gravitated towards growing up in San Francisco and our weekly trips to Japantown. I was really hungry and saw that they had a beef sukiyaki-don ($9.95) so I ordered that, as well as a tonkatsu set meal ($11.50)... The sukiyaki over rice bowl was great. Ive always loved sukiyaki and the sweet broth taste it leaves on the thinly sliced beef. This was a good one and I would certainly get it again. The tonkatsu was more disappointing as it didnt resemble the appearance that was on display. It was more uniform filets of pork that I got rather than the panko crusted cuts that the display piece portrayed. The meat was just ok, a little tougher than I'd like. It came with shredded cabbage on the side as well as rice, miso soup and tofu. It was still a good deal at that price but the tonkatsu has to be better IMO. My friends also ordered a mini ten-don and soba noodle set ($12.25), a special katsu-don ($8.95) and an unagi-don ($10.45). They all liked their orders. It all looked great and we all enjoyed our choices. Service was friendly and helpful. Order by number according to the display, everything is cooked to order so a little wait is required. When your meal is ready, they will call your number over the speaker and you pick it up from the counter... seat yourself in the common food hall. There are 4 person tables as well as some high back chairs in the middle of the dining area. read more

Don Don Tei is inside the Mitsuwa food court so you'll have to go in if you want to try it. Parking is a bit crowded outside Mitsuwa and there is construction currently going on so I would carpool if possible. The ambiance is a typical food court but it is nice that there are people who clean up the tables after you eat. I ordered the special Katsu Don and enjoyed the depth of flavor from the Katsu and rice. It was a generous portion and I felt pretty full after finishing my meal. Don Don Tei also does serve ramen an other dishes so I'll have to come back and try those next time. I also recommend shooting in the grocery store next door just to check out the cool snacks and tea that is sold. read more

Don Don Tei - Special Katsu Don - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

I had the Seafood Don and it was good! The negitoro was soooo delicious I seriously wish I could just eat the while bowl with that lol Very quick and affordable! read more

It's a solid bowl with pretty good tasting fish I just have had better tasting fish but for the price I'd came again and order more. It was got out quick and they were nice when I had questions about what's in the bowl. It's inside the mitsuwa in the food court and it gets super busy in there and finding a table is sometimes hard. read more

Don Don Tei - Seafood mix - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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This Employee with the red shirt was in the bathroom next to me, he literally went to piss and did not was his hands and works in the kitchen. Disgusting!!!! read more

Don Don Tei - Employee in red shirt - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Inside this Mitsuwa Marketplace food court location, you can find $9.95 for either katsu chicken or pork cutlet with rice on plate. Comes with salad plus dressing. $10.75 for an entire salted grilled mackerel fish meal set. That includes rice, soup, green salad, plus a side potato salad. Very very delicious. You can't get these prices elsewhere for the food value you get here. Awesome fat wallet foodie deal. Excellent cashier service. Efficient and organized. Leave trays at your table when finish. They have staffs clearing and cleaning tables here. I would eat this over and over again. Inexpensive and very good quality taste/ingredients. Authentic and legit Japanese casual foods. $9-$11 is unbeatable for a very large portion of foods that are mouth watering and finger licking good. Looks great too. Very satisfying. Don Don Tei really surprised me. Food is above average at this price point. Chefs deserve more recognition here. Definitely consider these Japanese food courts again. Lunch was too good to forget and there's plenty of places to walk around afterwards. read more

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I've had the salmon bowl here before, but I have never seen it look like this. The color was off and it did not taste fresh at all! What is going on here? I would not recommend this. read more

Don Don Tei - Salmon don - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Don Don Tei inside Mitsuwa's food court serves rice bowls. Salmon sushi rice bowl, beef sukiyaki rice bowl, katsu rice bowl, etc. The tempura, beef, and katsu bowls are under $10. The raw fish bowls are under $12. Which is a good deal. You can easily have a good and filling meal under $20 after shopping at Mitsuwa. The food is tasty. They take credit cards if you don't normally carry cash with you. You look at the food display. Pick out what you want. Place your order. Find a table. Listen for your order number to be called. I asked for a side of tempura but I guess I had to go to the stall next door to get extra tempura. Sad. read more

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I was very disappointed in my salmon don. Not sure what was going on with my salmon? It looked like it was cooked, but it was supposed to be raw? It definitely didn't taste fresh. I'm still alive and didn't get sick, so I guess that's a plus. But this definitely was not good. read more

Don Don Tei - Salmon Don - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

When I go to this Mitsua, I usually get my food here. And I am a big fan of Katsu don. Their Katsu don is good. But a little on the salty side. But still I enjoy it. read more

Don Don Tei - Katsudon - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Ordered the Tekka Don and Katsu bowl; both of which were delicious. The katsu bowl had many slices of pork Katsu covered with panko to give it a slight crisp texture. There is also steamed eggs and onions throughout which complemented the fluffy white rice very well. The Tekka bowl had slices and minced tuna, which were adorned with sprigs of green onion. The tuna was tender and tasted delicious along with the white rice. I also like to mix in wasabi and ginger for an extra in umph. read more

Don Don Tei - Tekka Don - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Fast service and good food. It was a perfect portion which left me feeling very satisfied. I really like location, and I had no trouble finding a table. read more

Don Don Tei - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California