We were in Winston Salem for 10 days. I was born there but now live in Hawaii for almost 20 years. We actually found this place by chance and caught them right before closing. They could have turned us away but they were very welcoming with some southern hospitality and Aloha Spirit. My wife who is also Japanese was able to strike up conversations with the owners wife and was extremely delighted to find some authentic Japanese cuisine. It was our last night before flying back home to the Island. So 10 plus stars from us and we will see you again. One Love and Aloha Dimple D and Miko read more

Don Express - Ramen Near Me - Winston-salem, North Carolina

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I've been coming to this place for over three years now, and I've tried a variety of the menu options. Most of what I've had has been decently good. I'm not someone who usually leaves reviews, but lately I've been feeling disappointed. Since the restaurant has gained more publicity and traction, I've noticed a decline in customer service. I'm no longer greeted when I walk in, and I'm told to place my order on an iPad that's confusing and difficult to navigate. The prices are already high, and being prompted to tip on top of that feels like a slap in the face. For a family owned restaurant. At the very least, I'd expect a basic level of customer service. If the ambiance were better and customers were made to feel more comfortable and welcomed, I wouldn't feel the need to write this review. Unfortunately, I don't think I'll be back read more

I've been here twice before for takeout. It was ok, but I always say that food tastes best eaten at the location & since expanding their restaurant, that's what I did. The dishes tasted as good as the presentation! Definitely a contender if you're looking for unique street cuisine. I must note that I'm not a big fan of self-ordering kiosks, especially when you're not as familiar w/the menu. It eliminates the human element, but if cost-savings are passed on to customers, then so be it. read more

Don Express - Yakisoba & Karaage Don w/marinated egg - Ramen Near Me - Winston-salem, North Carolina

Being from Hawaii, I occasionally miss what us locals call "plate lunch" food, which usually consists of a meat, mac salad and white rice. My go-to meal back home was usually chicken katsu curry and Don Express delivers. The restaurant is located street front on Knollwood in the Knollwood Plaza shopping center across from Moore Elementary School. Parking is shared with other merchants, and there has always been plenty available spots during my visit. You place and pay for your order inside using a self-service kiosk. I've always paid with card, so I'm not sure how paying by cash would work. The employees are busy preparing orders, but I've always been able to get the attention of someone to answer any questions I've had about other menu selections. Once you place your order, find a table either in the front room near the cooking area, or you can sit in the adjacent side room. The table and chairs are pretty basic, and it feels more like you're eating in someone's garage with the door open. Nothing fancy, but it's clean and comfortable. A staff member delivers your food to your table along with a basket of utensils, chopsticks, and napkins. It's usually at this point that I ask for a glass of water, which is promptly brought out. For my chicken katsu curry, it's a nice piece of breaded chicken that's moist and tender laid over the top of steamed white rice. The curry is poured off to the side, and I take the supplied spoon and began ladling it over the chicken and rice. The curry has a nice kick to it that I really enjoy, but it's not too spicy. I took off one star because in my opinion being from the expensive State of Hawaii, the meal is WAYYY overpriced. In Hawaii, this meal would have been $12. Don Express charges $12 just for the curry and rice; the chicken is an additional $6 making my meal $18. I'll continue to visit Don Express for my plate lunch fix, but at their current prices those visits will be few and far between. read more

Don Express is such a solid hole-in-the-wall find. I ordered the katsu curry and loved every bite... the seasoning was spot on and the curry gravy was warm and comforting. Portions were large enough to make great leftovers. It's a bit pricey, but the quality and amount of food make it worth it. read more

Don Express - Katsu Curry - Ramen Near Me - Winston-salem, North Carolina

I loved the food. Yup it was pretty darn good, I can still imagine the taste. It was a heaping big bowl of chicken Yakitori. I mean BIG for 1 person by no means am I complaining! I shared some because no way I could eat it all. It is a small place in a little mall of about 6 stores and it is on the end siding on Knollwood Ave behind the old Arby's. The restaurant is small but they just added a patio area for all seasons as it has an enclosed area w heating and picnic type tables there. The staff is friendly and the server was very helpful in assisting us with what dishes might be the best of the best. He was right on, thanks Tim! We got there around 4pm which was perfect as we didn't have to wait. Im told it gets really busy later on. I totally recommend this casual restaurant w great food! read more

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I got takeout from here, I got their veggie yakisoba, it was okay I did add some of their sauces to it to make it more savoury. My co workers got some food from there though and they had only amazing things to say about it! One of them got the tayoyaki Portions were good price was fair as welll'd give it another try but tell them to make it spicier! read more

Don Express - Vegetable Yakisoba - Ramen Near Me - Winston-salem, North Carolina

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Bento box for lunch, ramen for dinner, onigiri for snacks ... Don express has it all. Love the flavors all these foods have. I've been to Japan so not 100% my favorite place of all time, but a gem in Winston Salem! I have gone many times, service is fast. Lots of options so you'll never get bored, my favorite thusfar are the bento boxes! It's a must try read more

Once again this restaurant has blown me away. We stopped in for a late lunch after a few rounds at the bar and decided to order a few new things. Super quick service. Pretty quiet on a Sunday evening only 2-3 other parties there besides us. The Takoyaki was amazing, this was the first time I've tried this and it far exceeded my expectations. Crispy round shell with a doughy inside. The small chewy octopus pieces remind you it's there but doesn't over power the flavor at all. Loved these and will be a go to from now on The seaweed salad was super crisp and refreshing. I love the texture and slight crunch each bite gives you. I hate to say it but i liked the pork katsu curry way more than the chicken. The chicken is still excellent but i honestly thought the pork was much more flavorful read more

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Tried Don Express for the first time recently and I'll definitely be back! I had the katsu don which was pretty good. I loved the rice - it was fluffy and perfectly cooked. The chicken was crispy which was great. I do wish the chicken had more flavor but I've never had katsu Don before so not sure how it compares. The pork gyoza was delicious and I'd definitely get it again. You order at the counter and the food comes out pretty quickly but still tastes really fresh. They also have a nice, unique selection of drinks including Japanese alcoholic drinks. The service was really great - everyone was nice. They have a covered porch area to sit which is nice. Parking is also easy because there's a huge parking lot. I definitely want to come back to try the ramen! read more

Don Express - Katsu Don - Ramen Near Me - Winston-salem, North Carolina

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I love how many options this place has! There were so many items on the menu and everything sounded so good. I ended up getting one of the pork rice bowls, gyoza, and a rice ball. The food came out pretty quickly for how much my group ordered. Everything I ate was so fully of flavor. I wish this location was closer to Greensboro. It's definitely one of my favorite Japanese street food restaurants that I've tried. read more

Don Express - Ramen Near Me - Winston-salem, North Carolina

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After hiking in the area with friends, we were looking for some lunch and stumbled upon this spot. My husband and I shared: - Yakiniku Omusubi - Yakisoba with pork - Katsu Curry Everything was fantastic. I think the Yakisoba was my favorite. I always love Katsu Curry though and theirs was no exception. Typically, Japanese food in the US is just ramen and sushi, so it's nice that they serve some other dishes too! read more

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Don Express is the kind of place where it's probably a good thing that it's a solid half hour drive from my house, because if it weren't, it would be a problem for my money and waistline. This is exactly the kind of Japanese street food focused place that i wish were more prevalent in the Triad, but I am thankful it is becoming increasingly popular. They serve street favorites like ramen, takoyaki, donburri, katsu curries, dumplings, and on and on. I have had little tastes of many different things there, and particularly liked the chicken katsu curry, the tonkotsu ramen, and the onigiri rice balls. Speaking specifically about the curry, is it so creamy and flavorful, forming a perfect marriage with the crisp panko breading on the katsu chicken. Portions are large and loaded, as they should be, and I think match the price point pretty well. Everything is made to order, other than a few select items which are prepped for the day or week, but don't worry, those items are absolutely suited for that. You're sure to find something on this menu that brings a smile to your face and your belly, be sure to stop by Don Express! read more

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So I was finally invited into the inner circle of my wife and son's experience of dining at Don Express. This was truly legit Japanese food that was served by friendly people and it is pretty obvious that it is family-owned. My wife and I shared a chicken Okonomiyaki and an order of shumai, and I'm glad we did because it was delicious, rich, and filling. We sat in a newly added covered patio area, which provided plenty of space, and thoroughly enjoyed our lunch. I think Don Express will be my go-to place for Japanese food in the future, and I highly recommend it. read more

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A year after my first review, Don's has become one of my favorite spots in the Triad. I recommend it to everyone! We recently went back after taking a break from dining out and were impressed with the updates. They've added more seating, a few games outside, and a cute ivy wall with their name. They've also expanded the menu so much that it now stretches onto another wall, which is exciting because everything I've tried has been fantastic. This time, we had the katsu curry udon and a bento box that was packed to the brim. One of my favorite things about Don's is that I always leave with leftovers, so I get to enjoy my meal twice. I can't wait to go back and try even more of their new additions. read more

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Quaint little family-owned restaurant that is pay-at-the-counter style! I love the clear window glass that lets you watch them as they make all their food from scratch! The Yakisoba was so delicious and filling - nothing beats in-store made noodles like this! Portions were huge and well-worth the $$. Menu is a little hard to read since it's on the side of the restaurant where people are ordering so definitely check it out online before you come so you have an idea of what you want! If you're looking for a higher-end Asian food restaurant to fill your cravings, this should definitely be a place to check out! read more

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I can't say enough about this gem of an establishment. For such a little space they sure are packing a punch of flavor in every dish! The dining style is fast casual meaning you order at the front and they bring your food to you. There's a few tables inside but the outside patio is amazing, weather permitting. Their easy to see hand written menu is effective when ordering and the attendant at the counter was helpful. Service was also fast! The food was out of this world amazing. My favorite food style is Japanese and the street food did not disappoint. I had the rice balls (best bite of 2024 hands down) and the chicken katsu which was also super tasty. I don't have a single complaint. This is definitely a meal I'll think about till I get it again. Just go ahead and consider me a regular diner at Don Express! read more

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Takeout lunch - ordered okonomiyaki - my gripe is the pieces of pork were sparse and largely pieces of fat. The "pancake" itself was pretty good with lots of flavor- kind of like a French toast/quiche with savory veggies and a good bite of ginger here and there. read more

Don Express - Osaka Style Okonomiyaki - Ramen Near Me - Winston-salem, North Carolina

What such a pleasure to eat here. This Japanese street food was legit and comforting and will be on my regular list to hit. I was daring and ordered something out of my comfort zone. I tried the okonomiyaki which was a savory pancake filled with wonderful chicken, cabbage and onions and sauce. Wow! I couldn't stop eating it yet I reluctantly broke away so my son could have some too. I tried his yakisoba with pork and I'm going to definitely order that for myself next time. We split the fried shrimp shumai which was amazing and a must to get again and again. Soooo much to try here, rice balls, rice bowls, ramen...oh my! Come here guys, it's different and delicious. Prices ranged from $13 to $17. Staff went out of their way for us as well. read more

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I loved the food truck so I was excited they got a brick and mortar. I ordered the yakisoba chicken. At $15 it's not a "cheap" lunch, but it was a huge bowl so fair value. Great flavors and texture just like the food truck! The food was fast and service nice. There are some tables inside to dine in. read more

Don Express - Yakisoba chicken - Ramen Near Me - Winston-salem, North Carolina

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I was let down my first time here.... Ordered the ramen tonkatsu-It's supposed to come with a boiled egg. It did not. To add ONE it is $3. To add any protein it is $3-$5. Add veggies another $1 per veg. To make it spicy another $1. And it was a really small portion. Flavor was just mid and it was very expensive. The gyoza were pretty tiny as well - and I've had better. There is no one to take your order so good luck with any questions you may have-it's all done on an iPad. I had expected more from the reviews, but let down. My order of Ramen with chicken and gyoza came to $35!! For one person! Never again..... read more

Finally made our way to Don Express and it was an absolute delight! This cozy little place oozes charm and the attention and service we received was top-notch. But let's talk about the star of the show - their delicious ramen! What I ordered: - Tonkotsu Ramen ( Pork) - Kimchi - Spring Rolls - Gyozas read more

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We've been meaning to try Don Express for awhile and finally got the chance to stop by. One word - DELICIOUS. Authentic Japanese street food in the middle of Ardmore in WS. They're serving up tons of classics in a unique way. Their portions are quite large so if you see the prices and are concerned they are high just know you'll have multiple meals out of their dishes. The pork gyoza was light and crispy and the filling had a ton of umami flavor. The pork yakisoba was my favorite. It was fatty, umptious, and drowning in a delicious, rich sauce. I couldn't stop eating it because everytime I took a bit I discovered a new flavor. Definitely one of our new staples for take out! read more

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The food was great, I loved the Omusubi and the selection of Japanese beverages they had. They Yakisoba and chicken wings were delicious, will definitely come back to try their Ramen. read more

Awesome place for really great Japanese food. Super fast service and really great environment

This restaurant started as a food truck and became a brick and mortar sometime in 2022 - based on the small size, it is barely brick and mortar even now - there are 4 or 5 tables inside, 3 or 4 stools at the counter, and some picnic style tables outside. It is located in a worn strip center off of Stratford - and has no road visibility. They specialize in Japanese street food and offer some interesting and exotic options - some that most in this area have not had access to previously. They have somewhat limited hours - closed Monday and Tuesday, opening at noon the 5 days they are open, a bit on the restrictive side for lunch patrons. From what I saw much of their business is take out or thru a delivery service. There is no table service, you order and pay at the register. We ordered the Katsu Curry and the Pork Belly Ramen, with a starter of Gyoza. All three dishes were amazing, with the Gyoza being among the best, if not the very best, I've had in this area- perfectly cooked with an amazing filling! The Katsu is truly the classic Japanese street food, and the version here is on point based on the preparation I've seen on cooking shows. What is so special here is the inclusion of the Katsu in a perfect curry sauce - out-damn-standing! And the Ramen dish is not college fare- Rah Rah! You will find this little place interesting, I promise! read more

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Don Express has really good Japanese street food, ramen and rice bowls. The service was friendly, and the ambiance is casual. Don Express is located in the corner of a small shopping center. The seating is limited inside with 3-4 tables and some bar stools, but there is seating outside as well. For an appetizer, we ordered Gyoza (Japanese style pan-fried pot stickers), which was very good - tender and flavorful. For the meal, we ordered: - Karaage Don Rice Bowl, which is Japanese fried chicken (great texture and flavor) served over steamed rice with mixed greens and topped with spicy mayo. Good flavor and texture (8/10). - Tonkotsu Ramen - Ramen noodles in and chicken in chicken broth topped with marinated egg, scallions and other vegetables. Very good flavor and spice (9/10). We enjoyed our meal. We will be back. read more

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Very solid ramen and more spot! I was pleasantly surprised by how good the fried rice and Kimchi were. I would not be surprised if they made this kimchi in house. Will certainly come back many times. read more

Don Express - Kimchi, fried rice, pork and shrimp ramen - Ramen Near Me - Winston-salem, North Carolina

I love that they started as a food truck and now have a brick and mortar ! The concept of Japanese street food is new to be but I'm here for it when it's served up like Don express does it. The curry was my absolute fav but we did try a bunch of items. It's a bit pricey but the portions are a nice size. read more

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Food is great. We had curry and the ramen. Very fresh. Had never had Japanese curry.... Different than India. But everyone loved it. No atmosphere, but the people who work there were super nice. read more

Don Express - Ramen with chicken - Ramen Near Me - Winston-salem, North Carolina

This is the best Japanese Restaurant in Winston-Salem, and I say that with the utmost conviction. They have the best Katsu curry I have ever had and the best kimchi (made in house). The authentic Japanese drinks are a wonderful touch my favorite is melon. They also have Japanese beers and a variety of Japanese desert breads. This is a family owned restaurant that they have built onto and they are also so kind. Great customer service. The ambiance is clean tidy and modern. The bathroom also features a very dance bidet. Certainly the Cadillac of toilets. 5 stars! Go visit this wonderful family you won't regret it. read more

Don Express - Katsu Curry and my cutie - Ramen Near Me - Winston-salem, North Carolina

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Like walking into a shop in Japan! Delicious authentic food that will make your belly happy! The service was amazing and the shop is small, but cute. read more

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For context: I am a bit of a food snob and have traveled to Japan. This was the cherry on top of my day trip to Winston-Salem. The food took me back to Japan. It was just incredible and fresh. We had the veggie gyoza that had the most delicious and satisfying crispy bottom. The tofu yakisoba was perfectly seasoned and was a very large portion. The rice balls were nostalgic and delicious. The ambiance and location are unassuming. It was tidy but it's not the place to come if your aim is an Instagram post with an aesthetic background. I am glad otherwise this place would be overrun. I can't wait to go back. read more

Everything Good Best Japanese Around From Here To California... Even The Appetizers Are To Die For... read more

I love the food here. I'm so glad I found decent tonkotsu ramen in my city--noodles are great, good spice level, and the marinated egg is cooked perfectly. Cold weather is soup weather and this hits the spot. We also tried the Onigiri with Karaage chicken so it was a filling lunch. I want to come back and try their other dishes. read more

Don Express - tonkotsu ramen - Ramen Near Me - Winston-salem, North Carolina

One of the best Asian spots in Winston! I ordered the spicy Yakisoba, and it was absolutely amazing. The noodles were cooked perfectly, the vegetables were fresh, and the spice level was just right--packed with flavor without overpowering the dish. It's hard to find places that balance quality and authenticity so well, but this restaurant nails it. The ambiance is cozy, and the staff is friendly and attentive. I'll definitely be coming back to try more from the menu. Highly recommend for anyone craving authentic Japanese flavors. read more

Don Express - Yakisoba - Ramen Near Me - Winston-salem, North Carolina

Literally the BEST Katsu I have ever had! I grew up in Hawaii and finding this treasure in Winston blessed my soul. Trust me- you need to go. I have never had a bad experience! The pork gyoza & Mac salad will change your life. I decided to take a pic after my first couple bites lol read more

Don Express - Chicken Katsu bento - Ramen Near Me - Winston-salem, North Carolina

Food was good, a lot of great options. Service was decent but I wasn't happy about not having the option to add gratuity-it's required in order to complete the purchase. I have no problem tipping but that's something I prefer to do by choice not by obligation. We sat in the outside seating area and it was clean. read more

Don Express - Ramen Near Me - Winston-salem, North Carolina

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Oh how I love to be able to get Katsu curry in WS! This was one of the items I lived off of in Japan as a college student. I actually used to make Japanese curry so much at home my family rebelled so I rarely make it any more, but now I can can come here and get my fix. Plus I don't fry at home so I can get that amazing crispy panko fried chicken here! Also love their pickle addition to the dish, it's the little things... And as an update from my previous review their bowls have changed and are no longer to go containers, yay! read more

I had a "Katsu Don", which is basically (don't quote me, it was dark!) a bowl of rice with a layer of whipped egg which reminded me of breakfast in Mexico, a portion of breaded chicken breast (sliced up), and some pickled ginger (carrot colored) and scallions on top. As I said, it was dark outside... but the dish was pretty good. The pickled ginger had the most flavor and packed a punch. Delicious! I really liked the whole thing, but I would have appreciated a little hot sauce or something. Rooster sauce would have been perfect. The service at the truck is what one would expect. They were busting it in there and still managed the minimum level of friendliness. If I see this truck again, I'll try it because the menu looked to be full of tasty meals. read more

Don Express - Ramen Near Me - Winston-salem, North Carolina

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