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Don Express

4.6 (104 reviews)
ModerateRamen
Open • 11:00 am - 8:00 pm
Updated 2 months ago

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DON EXPRESS ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Moderate noise
Dogs allowed
Outdoor seating

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Recommended Reviews - Don Express

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Reviews With Photos

Fried Rice
Kimberly M.

Dark hole in the wall atmosphere. Everyone eating seemed depressed. Staff was kind and pleasant. Chicken I had was dark meat. Fried rice had big hunks of white rice mixed in. I will not be back. Other reviews seem incentivized to me and not sure are reflective of this restaurant. My daughter has been as well and not impressed with food freshness or quality. I hope it's not the standard in Japan.

Darryl G.

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

Katsu Curry
Caila L.

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.

Yakisoba & Karaage Don w/marinated egg
M T.

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.

Interior
Sandy B.

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!

Vegetable Yakisoba
Dhruv S.

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!

Entrance
Joseph K.

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

Pork tonkotsu ramen
Erik S.

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!

Katsu Don
Tessa O.

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!

Mike O.

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.

Yakiniku Omusubi
Jacqueline T.

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!

Ike N.

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.

Maggie K.

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.

Gyoza

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Reviews are largely positive. Many highlight the authentic Japanese flavors, large portions, and fast and friendly service, with a wide menu variety.

Read the full review summary in the app

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2 years ago

I got the noodles shrimp n chicken!! The sauce was delicious!! I'm not a fan of the octopus balls it was slimy.. yuck !!

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4 years ago

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2 years ago

Awesome ramen- flavorful and delicious! Employees were friendly and food was ready incredibly quickly.

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6 years ago

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5 years ago

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5 years ago

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2 years ago

Went here for the first time with my best friend and for a city for Winston salem it was perfect! The food was amazing!

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2 years ago

Slow as hell. They seem to be very unorganized. Probably won't eat there again. There was a long line of Grubhub folks waiting for food.

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4 years ago

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4 years ago

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4 years ago

THE FOOD IS EXCELLENT!!! The service is amazing!! Everyone is so sweet and the food comes out fast! My new fave spot!!

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3 years ago

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4 years ago

Very good food. Very kind people. Looks so beautiful. We enjoy ourselves every time we visit

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18 Malaysia - Human Shrimp

18 Malaysia

4.3(157 reviews)
3.4 mi
•$$

I cannot sing enough praises about this restaurant. After I moved to Winston from California, I was…read morestruggling to find a go-to, comforting restaurant that I knew would deliver every time, and then I spotted this place on Google Maps and decided to give them a shot. Everything I've had here has been excellent, and always comes out hot and fresh. My personal favorites have been the roti, Malaysian curry with chicken, Malaysian Style Char Kueh Teow, and the water spinach. I've gotten the red snapper once, and wow, was that a beautiful dish! The man I think is the owner is also always so kind, and when I ask for his opinions is very honest and he has never let me down with his recommendations. All in all, love this place!

I went with cousin for lunch to try it out since never been there. We were there at 12:30 and were…read morethe only ones for lunch. Wait staff was great. Noticed restaurant got a 99 health rating. Congrats. Appetizer shared Malaysia Shrimp Summer Roll. It was very good where could have eaten another one! My lunch choice Salt & Pepper Calamari with steamed rice. It was good but not spicy. Cousin got a noodle soup which was huge. Service great and asked how long been there. Answer 9 years. It is super close to my mansion where will start doing take out. Closed Monday. Inside small bar area. Booth tables and more tables.

Photos
18 Malaysia - Looking toward bar area

Looking toward bar area

18 Malaysia - Sliced chicken with eggplant, and hot chili oil with sprinkled togarashi, and crispy chicken with rice.

Sliced chicken with eggplant, and hot chili oil with sprinkled togarashi, and crispy chicken with rice.

18 Malaysia - Decor

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Decor

Konnichiwa

Konnichiwa

4.1(106 reviews)
7.3 mi

Been looking for a good Japanese cuisine restaurant in the Winston-Salem area after moving back…read morefrom Hawaii and we found a great one. Located in the same shopping center as Walmart on E. Hanes Mill Rd, this gem is housed in the same spot where the Hwy 55 burger joint was (I sure miss them). Parking is shared with other area merchants, and since it's quite a distance from Walmart's entrance, finding a space is not a problem. The restaurant is well-lit, comfortable and clean. We were promptly greeted and shown to a table. The menu had a great selection of ramen, bento, and sushi. While I was leaning towards sushi, I opted for the chicken katsu bento. The food came out quickly and I was pleasantly surprised at the portion size. Definitely a good value in my opinion. The only disappointment was their take on fried rice, which seemed more like a dirty rice you would get at Popeye's. Honestly, I think white rice would have been a better pairing for this dish. Great service throughout our visit and we're keeping this one on the short list.

My favorite sushi spot in all of WS! As someone who doesn't eat raw sushi I love the many menu…read moreoptions for cooked rolls, some even deep fried! My favorite is the highway 9 roll with the bulldog a close second. I also like to get the crab Rangoon appetizer or the crab salad. The crab salad is really unique and fresh tasting. Service is always quick even when they're busy. I love the addition of these fun new tree platters too!

Photos
Konnichiwa
Konnichiwa - Poke bowl

Poke bowl

Konnichiwa - Spring rolls

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Spring rolls

Tampopo Ramen & Hibachi - Champon Ramen (Spicy Seafood Ramen)

Tampopo Ramen & Hibachi

4.3(343 reviews)
23.0 mi
•$$

An amazing hole in the wall! Such friendly staff, great food, and not too expensive. Highly…read morerecommend Tampopo Ramen & Hibachi!!

We visited Tampopo for a Yelp event and had a really enjoyable experience. Two of our ramen bowls…read morewere complimentary through the event, and we paid for our additional items. The service was really nice throughout our visit! The inside is beautiful. It is a little more intimate and it's not a huge space but it's well utilized. My husband ordered the Ichiraku Classic Shoyu Ramen with chicken broth, and it was a much better fit for his taste than the pork ramen he tried on our previous visit. He found the previous broth a little too rich, so choosing a different bowl made a big difference this time. Our son loved his tonkotsu ramen and gave it a 10/10. I ordered the seafood ramen, and my overall experience was a 9/10. We also ordered spring rolls and calamari on a stick. The calamari got mixed reactions from our table: my husband thought it was okay, our son ultimately wasn't a fan, and I enjoyed it but wanted a little more seasoning. I'm the squid fan in the family, and I'd give that appetizer a 6.5/10. Dessert was a highlight! The Oreo tempura had that familiar fried-Oreo taste with a tempura coating. We also received a complimentary sample of red bean ice cream, which was creamy, delicious, and a hit with all three of us. I showed our son how to pair the ice cream with the Oreo tempura, and that made it even better. Both desserts were a 10/10 for us! Our out-of-pocket total was approximately $46 for the additional items, including three drinks, with the two complimentary ramen bowls excluded. We appreciated the friendly service and the opportunity to try more of the menu. If you order dessert, definitely try the Oreo tempura and red bean ice cream together!

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Tampopo Ramen & Hibachi
Tampopo Ramen & Hibachi - R5. Tampopo Spicy Miso Ramen w/ Fried Chicken

R5. Tampopo Spicy Miso Ramen w/ Fried Chicken

Tampopo Ramen & Hibachi - Chicken Yaki Udon

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Chicken Yaki Udon

Binki Cafe - Winston Salem - Logo

Binki Cafe - Winston Salem

3.6(67 reviews)
2.6 mi
•$$

I felt like Ramen so the search began. Our area really lacks a diversity of Asian cuisine, but…read morethere a few gems if you look hard enough. Binki Cate has the potential to be a landmark for Ramen but there some work to do. First, this location seems to be a great spot but there has been like 3-5 different restaurants in the building over the last 10 years. I hope Binki stays. Ok, so I wanted Ramen but I don't think this is their wheelhouse. I think the main focus are the drinks and treats. I got the Miso chicken Raman and it was good...not great. The presentation was kinda wonky with a plastic bowl with clear wrap on top like a school lunch meal...wait...was this frozen and they just heated it up?? Hmmm...anyway the service was...functional. No one acted like they really wanted to be there. I think this spot has a lot to offer, but as with everything the experience it important.

I was in the mood for ice cream, and I remembered they have tasty ube soft serve. They had a few…read moreother ice cream options, but they do not have halo-halo at this time. The ube soft-serve was topped with mochi and coconut. I was happy to learn it was lactose-free. Ube has a mild vanilla flavor and is not as sweet as other soft serves I have had before. They have a banana dessert that sounds good and I would get it in the future.

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Binki Cafe - Winston Salem - Winston Salem branch opens April 1, 2022.

Winston Salem branch opens April 1, 2022.

Binki Cafe - Winston Salem - Tonkotsu ramen with Hokkaido milk tea

Tonkotsu ramen with Hokkaido milk tea

Binki Cafe - Winston Salem - Inside

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Inside

Don Express - ramen - Updated October 2026

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