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Don Japanese Kitchen

4.9 (264 reviews)
InexpensiveJapanese
Closed • Closed
Updated 2 months ago

About Don Japanese Kitchen

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DON JAPANESE KITCHEN ATMOSPHERE

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Moderate noise

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Recommended Reviews - Don Japanese Kitchen

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Salmon Poke
Evelyn S.

Stopped by Don after an afternoon of tubing in San Marcos! We were in the downtown area and looking for a fast casual food spot. I was also craving some poke, so was happy to see it on the menu. Location wise, Don is super close to the TSU campus, just off N LBJ Dr. It's located within a small square, along with several other small shops (tattoo shop, hair studio). Outdoors - good amount of free parking available via the attached lot; indoors - order at the counter, then find a seat at one of the long tables. There's also complimentary fortune cookies at the self-service counter. All the food comes in to-go boxes. Salmon Poke ($13.50, 4/5) - The salmon was tasty but could've done with a little less salt - Generous portions. Also really liked the addition of ginger and seaweed salad to the dish - Highlights were the different mayo sauces (curry, wasabi, spicy) - my favorite was the wasabi! Overall, Don is a straightforward, no frills spot with good energy and customer service. Food was good and very filling as well. I'd recommend checking out Don if you're looking for an affordable, asian fusion option near campus!

Karage
Amanda L.

It pains me to write this review because I've been a die hard fan of Don for a while. I got the kaarage and they drenched it with sauce that was just too salty and made the chicken soggy. There wasn't enough rice especially since it was so soggy and I needed way more veggies than the tiny amount they gave. The sauces and service is still great and the price is still awesome. I appreciate their message but now there are other comparable places that have better food and equivalent prices

Rebecca J.

I really liked my chicken karaage bowl with rice! The price was decent and the portion size was pretty generous for the price! I especially loved dipping the curry and red sauce on it!! Service was good but it was just really crowded, which shows that a lot of people come here.

Kathy V.

It's been so long since I last had Don Japanese Kitchen. The food was as good as I remember them when they were still in Austin. The interior the design was very familiar to the brick and mortar which was great for a small group to dine in. Compared to when they were in Austin, I'm so glad they had free parking. It was probably everything I remember and more. Kara-age - Crispy 10/10 Torch Salmon - Nicely Torch 10/10 Fries - Crispy, but had a few stale bit. 8/10

Inside to order dine in or out.
Lexi M.

My friend and I were looking for a late quick bite on a budget to eat with her dog in tow. This is a very informal place with a couple picnic tables to dine in and a walk up counter to order. The perfect place for college students to eat or get something to go, which is what we did. My friend had the chicken teriyaki and I had the salmon. Lots of flavor with the teriyaki dish. The salmon had an excessive amount of ginger and rice and not too much salmon. Not the best but not bad. There are three sauces to add but the green one I was told was wasabi but it was more of the mayonnaise chile blend. We got our food to go since it was so loud for a dog and not really a place for all of us to sit as it was busy. I'd come back to dine here. The price was right but don't expect a top culinary experience. It's healthy and inexpensive and casual. Parking lot was accommodating near campus.

Chicken karrage over dons fries
Jack G.

Love this place! I come here to meet friends just to eat here all the way from Austin after we workout at golds gym. Very affordable and delicious food and sauces. Try the curry mayo sauce! That sauce would be dangerous to have access to in my fridge. Their Dons fries are insane too but only if they have waffle fries, we got regular fries once and it was not the same. I recommend the chicken karrage or katsu.

Pork katsu don with fish katsu
Briana N.

I first tried Don when they were still a food truck near UT campus, and I remember loving it so much. I was so sad to hear that they had moved all the way out to San Marcos, but I'm glad to see them in a brick and mortar location now! And the food is just as good! All of the meat is so hot and crispy. You can't go wrong with the chicken or pork katsu dons. But my personal favorite is probably the karaage. The rice is perfectly cooked, and they give you a good amount of sauce on everything. They also have three different types of sauces on the tables too, so you can really mix and match flavors. But my favorite is the green wasabi one. I practically drizzled it all over my rice too! They have a lot of interesting drinks too. I tried the melon cream soda and it was so addicting! It was like carbonated melona in a can. Everything is reasonably priced, and they have so many different sides and add ons. I just wanted to try everything! But we tried the fries and they were so good! They were drenched in this super garlicky sauce, but remained hot and crispy and it was so addicting.

Roger F.

When you fuse Asian flavors, a food truck style of serving, and a vibe straight off Austin's 6th street, you get the Don Japanese Kitchen. It's located in San Marcos, down the street from Texas State University and in a building that looks more like the tattoo parlor that is next door than the flavorful restaurant it is. You order at the register from the blackboard menu and then find an open space to sit from the two large picnic tables in the back. It's a college town so the vibe is chill, dressing is casual at best and the experience is a must if you are in the area. It's been +20 years since we walked the likes of Tokyo city, but once I tasted the fried pork, I went full Kamikaze on it. Add in the curry sauce to the sticky rice and say Sayonara to the Benito box it was served in. Wifey chose the pork belly and we shared the Brussies and all was surprisingly delicious. Since we are in San Marcos pretty often for football games and to reminisce about our younger years, we will add Don's to our restaurant rotation.

Nan Ban
Mykaela C.

I swear every time I visit San Marcos I HAVE to go to Don's. The portion sizes, quality of food, and price point is amazing! I don't think there is anything off of the menu that's more than $19. Keep in mind that there is limited seating but luckily the food travels pretty well(even on 1 hour+ drives). Before we get into the food I have to say that I love love love the interior. The shop has currencies from around the world on the counter where you place your order. There are anime figurines everywhere and Japanese parasols hanging from the ceiling. The stickers on the front door make it stand out from the other shops in the plaza. Staff are always nice and they use playing cards as order numbers. The food, oh my gosh the food. While there is no wrong answer as to what you get... the nanban is the best thing on the menu lol. It's a fried chicken ball made of dark meat that is just so tender and juicy, not to mention that they're massive. I love to drench mine in their curry mayo sauce(please let me buy a gallon of this to take home lol). The ginger and cabbage help to balance out the meal so you're not just eating a bunch of carbs and fried food. It's a pretty solid meal all around. The takoyaki is also amazing. The filling to octopus ratio is absolutely perfect. I've tried many different spots around the world and dons is the only place I've found that has figured out the golden ratio. They give tons of bonito flakes, sauce, and seaweed on top that further enhance the flavor of the dish. I do miss dons in Austin but I'm glad that they found a new home in San Marcos where they can keep their prices relatively low without having to sacrifice their quality. Next time you're in the area hit them up for an amazing dinner

Bobcat Fries Special, Don Chicken, Takoyaki, Fish Katsu
Matthew L.

Don Japanese Kitchen has had a special place in my heart ever since my first year at UT Austin. Back when they were still on campus, I remember standing in long lines for what felt like hours, but it was always, always worth it. The food isn't just good -- it hits every craving and then some. For the price, the portions and quality are unbeatable. Even after they moved to San Marcos, I never hesitated to make the drive out, and I know I'm not alone. People from all over make the trip just for Don. At its core, it started as college campus food, but this place has the potential to go big. I genuinely believe everyone should try it at least once, but odds are, you'll be back after that first bite. I usually go for the chicken katsu with an onsen egg or the chicken karaage -- both always tender, crispy, and paired with the perfect rice-to-meat ratio. The sauces are what elevate everything. Their spicy mayo is a staple (and yes, you can take as much as you like), and the yellow curry and wasabi sauces are just as incredible. One of my absolute must-orders is the Don Style Fries -- crispy waffle fries loaded with teriyaki and spicy mayo. They're technically shareable, but I've definitely polished off a whole order by myself more than once. Their Bobcat Fries (Don fries with bulgogi) are a bit on the heavier side but still delicious, and the takoyaki is always solid. The owner and staff are consistently kind and welcoming, and I've never had a bad experience talking to them. Seating is limited, but I've rarely had to wait long for a spot. While the food is best fresh (like most fried items, it can get a little soggy as leftovers), I still finish every bite with zero regrets. I truly believe Don should expand to other cities because I have full confidence they would be successful anywhere they go. The quality, flavor, and heart behind the food speak for themselves. Don Japanese Kitchen is one of my top ten go-to spots whenever I'm craving Asian comfort food. It's nostalgic, crave-worthy, and truly something special. If you haven't had Don yet, do yourself a favor and try it. You won't regret it.

Chelsea L.

Can't go wrong with katsu don! It was my first time coming to this location ever since they moved away from Austin. Happy to say the taste is just as I remembered! Still affordable with the same great taste. I love the different sauces they have esp the wasabi flavored one. You get a playing card so they can call for your order. The egg is an up charge. The beef one is really salty.

Don Chicken and Chicken Egg Roll

I got the classic Don's chicken recommended by the cashier since I've never been here. The chicken was crispy even after a 20 minute drive home, rice was good, ginger added a great freshness and flavor. I added a chicken egg roll for a couple bucks. Definitely worth.

Ebi order, add a Veg Croquette. Eat the crisp fried stuff first if you're getting delivery because they do it SOOO good. 01JUN24
Heather R.

First time using delivery for them (Yelp option routes this establishment through grubhub)--it was elusive for quite a while. I recommend preordering before they open or doing it early in their service hours; otherwise you get the message ordering is closed. May have to do with their parking lot, which gets pretty packed just with dine in and to-go customers. NY STRIP was cooked medium rare as stated in the menu. Haven't found a speck of gristle. Very good with teriyaki sauce, crunchy onions, and nori toppings and their standard arranged rice/cabbage/ginger base. I'd grabbed a fork/knife when I felt there were zero utensils in the grubhub bag, but in proper style the steak was already cut to be chopstick ready. Apologies to Don for my brief, rash assumption. EBI 4pc I should have opened and sampled this box first, since while I was eating steak steam was having a go at their perfect crunchy coating which suffered a bit for it. Still delicious, of course. Beautiful fat sweet shrimp with enjoyable properly cooked texture. VEGGIE CROQUETTE My first chance at it, as Mr T didn't share the Lenten croquette I ordered with his stir fry this spring. All the deep fried pleasure without the meat sweats, it was lovely. Only veg I recognized (as I took off tiny pieces to share with the pups) was delicious sweet corn. If I ever made croquettes--my house never has spare mashed potatoes for some reason--I'd aim to make them as good as these. It's obviously best fresh, but I'm enjoying leftovers the next day and feeling spoiled with new-to-me dishes. It's hard ordering anything other than their amazing pork belly when it's available. Try anything, including all their sauces if you're dining in. I haven't tasted one thing I've regretted here and their employees have been great every single visit.

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6 months ago

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2 months ago

I come here at least once a week for dinner. Fantastic every time, best cheap meal in San Marcos.

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1 year ago

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4 months ago

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2 years ago

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2 months ago

Great. The people that work here are awesome. Good portions, pretty cheap highlight college spot that quick

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2 years ago

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2 years ago

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9 months ago

The best and amazingly priced on the go Asian food and that dang curry sauce... it's gas.

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9 months ago

I love the kakuni! So delicious everytime. The onsen egg is also perfect to add! I love all 3 sauces they offer. Yum

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2 years ago

Business owner information

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Edward S.

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4 months ago

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1 year ago

I got the #5 and it was soo good I've always heard great things about this place and def lived up to the hype

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2 years ago

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11 months ago

I love this place so much. The workers are nice, the owner is there everyday I have been and the food is awesome! Love the team there!

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1 year ago

Great food! Fast service! Friendly staff. Very busy- if you are going to sit inside it can be tight, but nothing we had a problem with.

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1 year ago

Unique vibe, good food, customer service was unmatched. Lots of variety and fun environment. College campus clientele.

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3.9(87 reviews)
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Not sure why there are negative reviews hands down great food, service, and helpful staff to…read moreunderstand the menu and items. Will definitely be coming back I could honestly eat here often. Reviews on Items Ordered: Spicy Garlic Edamame: 4/5 perfect amount of spice (not too much spice and had a good smoky flavor) Fried Pork Gyoza (can also choose steamed): 5/5 Flavorful and crisp Chef Special: Tempura Asparagus Roll: 5/5 was flavorful and loved the crispy asparagus Philadelphia Roll: 5/5 Perfect Philadelphia roll Orange Chicken w/ Steamed Rice: 5/5 Steamed Rice: 2/5 Rice could have been soft but was more firm and hard Hands down some of the best orange chicken I have had. The chicken was grilled to perfection with the perfect balance of flavor in the sauce. The broccoli was cooked to perfection and plating was beautiful. Would highly recommend

This is a high four star review - HIGH. ALMOST there to 5!…read more Fatty salmon and scallion roll all day long. Delicious and buttery and so fresh. Huge pieces of fish and the nicely wrapped roll. We also got the salmon roll, tuna roll, spicy yellowtail roll, gyoza, and the Hamachi Kama. Salmon and tuna rolls were plump pieces of fish and nicely wrapped. I love that there was plenty of fish in them instead of primarily rice. Spicy yellowtail roll was also very fresh and delicious. Nice and simple but fresh and tender. Gyoza were deep fried, but I wish they were more traditionally cooked which is pan fried - the softness of the dumpling and crunchy bottom is what I love about gyoza, but when deep fried it is all crunch and not as tender. The Hamachi Kama was the star. The moment it hit the table with the bowl of rice, it was game over. I was gnawing on the fin just to get some more of that tender fish. I love it when it is seasoned simply with sauce on the side. Perfectly seasoned and delicious - the fatty parts are my favorite. It also came with rice which my kiddo loved. I also enjoy that they put all the sushi on the platter a with garnish and even a color changing light! Little things like this presentation really make a difference, and it was great! The service was lovely. The gentleman at the front was so kind and appreciative. Each staff member we met was kind and welcoming. I would love to see a few more fresh fish rolls, but all together, we would definitely come back to Bluefin any day of the week. Lovely service, fresh fish, fish-forward rolls and wonderful presentation!

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Bluefin Sushi & Ramen - Bugs on the broccoli.

Bugs on the broccoli.

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Don Japanese Kitchen - japanese - Updated October 2026

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