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Awesome new spot right outside of New Haven! The music was good and at a perfect volume to where you could hear and the decor is soo cute! Lots of cats! I got the tteokbokki which were the perfect chewy soft texture coupled with that nice spicy sauce. It has a lingering heat that I personally really love. For my main I got the Japanese curry with chicken cutlet (chicken katsu) it was AWESOME!!! This is my fav dish ever and I haven't seen anywhere with it so I was absolutely elated when I saw it. Absolutely perfect, the curry itself has carrots and potatoes in it which were nice and soft. It also comes over rice! The owner came over to our table to check on us and she was so sweet. Everything came out quickly, and hot! As we were leaving all the staff said goodbye. I highly recommend coming to Donburiya!
This place was a great accidental find on the way to hiking. Highly recommend a post hike stop here. Great service and great food. Big portions and tasty food!
We happily drive almost an hour to dine in at Donburiya Cafe, and every time, it's more than worth it. This restaurant is a true hidden gem, offering an authentic Japanese and Korean dining experience that's hard to come by. From the moment you walk in, the clean, cute and cozy atmosphere and warm hospitality make you feel welcome and at home. The food and service is consistently outstanding. Every dish is clearly made with care, using very fresh ingredients. We love, love, LOVE the pan fried gyoza, shrimp tempura and chashu udon offerings and curry rice dishes. We have not had the Korean dishes yet, but they also look amazing! Being raised by a Japanese mother and on Japanese cuisine, I highly recommend Donburiya Cafe to anyone looking for delicious Japanese (and Korean) cuisine! We cannot wait to go back!
Just checked out Donburiya Cafe! The space was surprisingly large and the decor was adorable! If you're a cat lover, you'll love it here! The kitchen is open so you can see the food being made. I shared teokkbokki as an app and ordered the tonkatsu ramen for my entree. The teokkbokki was so flavorful and packed a punch with the spice. I would recommend getting a milk tea with it! The ramen broth was flavorful and the corn added a nice balance of sweetness to the savory fatty pork cuts. Everyone was so kind and wished us well as we left! I would definitely recommend this to my friends and family for whenever they come to Hamden/ New Haven!
If you're in the area (and even if you're out of the area), you absolutely have to eat here! Amazing food, substantially large portion sizes for reasonably cheap prices, and very friendly and efficient employees. The japchae noodles were very bouncy, and the meat and other toppings were abundant. The same applies to the yakisoba. The kimchi fried rice had a deeper, tangier flavor than expected, which was vey yummy. The inside is quite cozy and small, and the tables fill up very quickly. We ate in during the lunch rush, but even when our food took a bit of time coming out (understandable, given how popular this place was for both dine-in and takeout), the employees made sure we knew they hadn't forgotten about our orders.
At first look I was like eh, this looks like it need vegetables and "why is there so much rice, I never eat that much rice"....ha a joke, I devoured the whole bowl! It was so delicious and full of so much flavor yet it seemed so simple. I will definitely be coming back! Thank you
Donburiya Cafe is a welcome addition to Hamden's food scene, offering a convenient option for Quinnipiac students and serving as a perfect post-hike pit stop after exploring Sleeping Giant. Their menu offers a diverse range of casual Japanese and Korean dishes, from donburi bowls and ramen to stir-fry, kimbap, and other noodle and rice dishes. Donburiya is a great starting point for those just beginning to explore these type of cuisines, providing newcomers a taste of what they have to offer. That being said, their food is definitely not the most authentic or of the highest quality representation of these cuisines. For instance, while Donburiya may understand the concept of karaage as fried chicken, their execution does not come close to that of the actual dish. Similarly, the sweetness of their sukiyaki was far too overpowering, and lacks the complexity and flavor profile of a well made broth. The space is undoubtedly on the cozier side, and can only accommodate around 20 people, with additional seating outdoors. The service was very friendly, and our server was attentive in meeting the needs of the customers and ensuring everyone felt comfortable and welcomed. Their open kitchen design also allows you to witness their dedication firsthand. I believe the team at Donburiya would have benefitted more by only focusing on the Japanese side of things due to the size of their restaurant, team, and kitchen. I understand they are trying to cater to a wider range of customers, but many Japanese dishes require careful attention to detail and are nuanced, demanding precision and care to execute properly. While there are restaurants specializing only in ramen, udon, or donburi, Donburiya is attempting to offer all of these, in addition to a full Korean menu. With such a wide range of dishes, I worry that they are spread too thin in crew size and experience in these types of cuisines to adequately focus on each type, which can lead to a decline of quality and authenticity in their offerings. Here's another reason they should have considered foregoing the Korean menu, and is something Donburiya and its predecessor Midori might have overlooked: you gotta serve alcohol with Korean food, man. Alcohol and Korean food is like PB&J or fries and ketchup -- they just go together, and the glaring absence of soju or any Korean alcohol is like eating a hot dog without the bun, which could be a deal breaker for a lot of customers. Donburiya's identity seems unclear. If they are aiming to be a takeout restaurant, they should focus on dishes that are well-suited for quick preparation and easy consumption. Their current offerings are definitely enjoyed better dining in, but their limited space and team make it difficult to achieve sufficient turnover. But relying on takeout is challenging as well, as their dishes, though casual, require more preparation time than typical fast food. Which brings me to another point. They only had three staff members, including the kitchen, on a Friday night. Offering additional items like bubble tea, while appealing, can only add to the workload and slow down service, which was already on the slower side. I can't imagine how hectic it would be if they also had a bustling take out business. I admire Donburiya's offerings and ambition. I believe many people will enjoy their food. Connecticut's culinary scene may be more laid-back than other destinations, which will certainly benefit them. I am just hoping their execution allows them to thrive in the long run. Best of luck, and I'm looking forward to eating here again after a nice long hike!
They were previously a Korean restaurant, serving tofu stew soup. They rebranded and expanded their menu and now also offer Japanese cuisine. The place still looks the same, but has a refreshed wall and some interior design. The staff were friendly and took orders quickly. I got the chicken katsu lunch special, which came with miso soup. The soup was warm and hearty, but similar to the miso soup you get at sushi restaurants. The katsu was crunchy and thinly sliced, but not overly dry. Overall, I'd say the taste of the meal was good and enjoyable, but nothing stood out to me. It tasted sort of generic, like they did a good job of reheating/serving pre-made meals. I would return to try some of other menu items though! I also did order a boba, and it was ok. You can tell it was restaurant tier boba, made with powder and not actual tea. I'd recommend going to an actual boba store to fulfill that craving.
For years I keep hoping actual, homestyle Korean food will make its way out from NYC and the college towns. Korean BBQ is apparently the "advance troops" of the cuisine, because it is everywhere now. But "regular" Korean food is still hard to come by. There was a great little spot in Hamden with delicious food, but she closed down. However! Donburyia Cafe has taken over the space and opened with an impressive menu of Korean and Ramen and even an entire Kimbap section (WOOOO HOOOO!!!!!). This is a small, casual spot. No alcohol. All food prep happens right behind the counter where you walk in. Two women were working while I was there and were dressed extremely professionally, IIMO. They had black full aprons with matching black kitchen type hats. Really good call. Between the two of them they were doing all the prep and waiting tables. I happened to show up during peak lunch time, so there were probably 5 tables worth of people (there are maybe 8 tables total??). The wait for food was not particularly long. But it also is not going to come out immediately when there are multiple people ordering because there are just two people working and this food needs to be actually prepared. The Korean flavors I have been chasing after are Teok Bokki (English spelling varies WILDLY...) and Kimbap. Because once you've eaten the "contents" of your Teok Bokki you can then dip your Kimbap in the sauce. I ordered the Teok Bokki and the special, Donburyia Kimbap (which is HUGE and has a ton of ingredients, including Teriyaki Salmon). This is the third time I've had Teok Bokki in the past month. The previous two were at longstanding spots in Koreatown in NYC. This was the best of the three. No joke. This Teok Bokki was delicious, the sauce was perfectly seasoned (although not spicy) and thick and the "balance" between ingredients and sauce was perfect (i.e., it is not a stew/soup type situation - it's a well sauced dish). The portion size was also excellent. Big, but not too big so I couldn't also eat my Kimbap. Full disclosure, just these two things were a lot of food. But that's what I was looking for: a lot of DELICIOUS food! I'm pretty sure the other Kimbap are smaller, but I decided to try the giant one on my first visit. Why not?? Delicious food. Lovely people. Not a fancy place. But I don't need fancy. I need excellent food and chill vibe. I will be back!!
This place just opened up recently. I ordered online for pick up. Online ordering system was easy to use. Staff was friendly and my order was ready for pick up when I arrived. There is a small seating area available in restaurant. Food was flavorful, both of these items also came with soup which was good. Will def be back again.
I needed a quick tteokbokki fix and this new place popped up onto my screen, it has been a year or so since I have been to Connecticut and haven't seen this place before, so I believe it's new. I wish I had tried more things, but I did like the tteokbokki, and it came with cheese, the perfect topping. Pipping hot and ready to devour. The parking area is slightly narrow, especially when it's full, there aren't a ton of parking spaces, but I'm sure it can be doable for most. They also have a decent number of seats here if you want to dine in. They were fast and got my order on time and they were friendly as well. If I get the chance again to be in Connecticut I wouldn't mind trying more food options to really feel it out.
When I see gyudon on the menu I have to eat at the establishment as it brings me back to some cold night memories of Yokohama, Roppongi and Tokyo at large! Cute little cafe in strip mall setting with shared parking lot. Number of smaller tables to utilize within the cafe. Staff is super friendly and very attentive to ensure the experience is an enjoyable one. The gyoza were cooked perfectly and had great flavor to start the meal off. Then came the gyudon and it was nearly as I remember from my time in Japan. Very glad they had togarashi as I always enjoy a little extra kick in bowl! To finish had to go with the green tea cheese cake which was also highly recommended by the staff. It hit the spot to close out the meal. The Thai iced coffee came in a to go cup to sip through my meal and wall out with which is always a plus for the drive home! Only downside here has nothing to do with the food, it is just a little warm in the dining area so be mindful of how many layers you come in wearing. The menu has plenty of variety to meet your dining needs and look forward to coming back in when in the area! Well done Donburiya! read more
Donburyia in Hamden, is a Korean and Japanese restaurant. Among other things, they have sushi and noodles. I loved their Korean Japchae glass noodles, served with stri-fried veggies and pork. Everything had a nice char grill flavor. This was one of my favorite Japchae dishes I've had. There is comfortable inside seating, but I suspect they're also good for takeout. Service was friendly and efficient. 4.5 Stars read more
2 months ago
The cafe is very nice and has a very homie interior. Not only are the vibes wonderful, their food is as well! I tried their Shrimp Kimbap and it is to die for! read more
6 months ago
Awesome new spot right outside of New Haven! The music was good and at a perfect volume to where you could hear and the decor is soo cute! Lots of cats! I got the tteokbokki which were the perfect chewy soft texture coupled with that nice spicy sauce. It has a lingering heat that I personally really love. For my main I got the Japanese curry with chicken cutlet (chicken katsu) it was AWESOME!!! This is my fav dish ever and I haven't seen anywhere with it so I was absolutely elated when I saw it. Absolutely perfect, the curry itself has carrots and potatoes in it which were nice and soft. It also comes over rice! The owner came over to our table to check on us and she was so sweet. Everything came out quickly, and hot! As we were leaving all the staff said goodbye. I highly recommend coming to Donburiya! read more
We happily drive almost an hour to dine in at Donburiya Cafe, and every time, it's more than worth it. This restaurant is a true hidden gem, offering an authentic Japanese and Korean dining experience that's hard to come by. From the moment you walk in, the clean, cute and cozy atmosphere and warm hospitality make you feel welcome and at home. The food and service is consistently outstanding. Every dish is clearly made with care, using very fresh ingredients. We love, love, LOVE the pan fried gyoza, shrimp tempura and chashu udon offerings and curry rice dishes. We have not had the Korean dishes yet, but they also look amazing! Being raised by a Japanese mother and on Japanese cuisine, I highly recommend Donburiya Cafe to anyone looking for delicious Japanese (and Korean) cuisine! We cannot wait to go back! read more
8 months ago
7 months ago
6 months ago
Just checked out Donburiya Cafe! The space was surprisingly large and the decor was adorable! If you're a cat lover, you'll love it here! The kitchen is open so you can see the food being made. I shared teokkbokki as an app and ordered the tonkatsu ramen for my entree. The teokkbokki was so flavorful and packed a punch with the spice. I would recommend getting a milk tea with it! The ramen broth was flavorful and the corn added a nice balance of sweetness to the savory fatty pork cuts. Everyone was so kind and wished us well as we left! I would definitely recommend this to my friends and family for whenever they come to Hamden/ New Haven! read more
If you're in the area (and even if you're out of the area), you absolutely have to eat here! Amazing food, substantially large portion sizes for reasonably cheap prices, and very friendly and efficient employees. The japchae noodles were very bouncy, and the meat and other toppings were abundant. The same applies to the yakisoba. The kimchi fried rice had a deeper, tangier flavor than expected, which was vey yummy. The inside is quite cozy and small, and the tables fill up very quickly. We ate in during the lunch rush, but even when our food took a bit of time coming out (understandable, given how popular this place was for both dine-in and takeout), the employees made sure we knew they hadn't forgotten about our orders. read more
2 years ago
At first look I was like eh, this looks like it need vegetables and "why is there so much rice, I never eat that much rice"....ha a joke, I devoured the whole bowl! It was so delicious and full of so much flavor yet it seemed so simple. I will definitely be coming back! Thank you read more
Donburiya Cafe is a welcome addition to Hamden's food scene, offering a convenient option for Quinnipiac students and serving as a perfect post-hike pit stop after exploring Sleeping Giant. Their menu offers a diverse range of casual Japanese and Korean dishes, from donburi bowls and ramen to stir-fry, kimbap, and other noodle and rice dishes. Donburiya is a great starting point for those just beginning to explore these type of cuisines, providing newcomers a taste of what they have to offer. That being said, their food is definitely not the most authentic or of the highest quality representation of these cuisines. For instance, while Donburiya may understand the concept of karaage as fried chicken, their execution does not come close to that of the actual dish. Similarly, the sweetness of their sukiyaki was far too overpowering, and lacks the complexity and flavor profile of a well made broth. The space is undoubtedly on the cozier side, and can only accommodate around 20 people, with additional seating outdoors. The service was very friendly, and our server was attentive in meeting the needs of the customers and ensuring everyone felt comfortable and welcomed. Their open kitchen design also allows you to witness their dedication firsthand. I believe the team at Donburiya would have benefitted more by only focusing on the Japanese side of things due to the size of their restaurant, team, and kitchen. I understand they are trying to cater to a wider range of customers, but many Japanese dishes require careful attention to detail and are nuanced, demanding precision and care to execute properly. While there are restaurants specializing only in ramen, udon, or donburi, Donburiya is attempting to offer all of these, in addition to a full Korean menu. With such a wide range of dishes, I worry that they are spread too thin in crew size and experience in these types of cuisines to adequately focus on each type, which can lead to a decline of quality and authenticity in their offerings. Here's another reason they should have considered foregoing the Korean menu, and is something Donburiya and its predecessor Midori might have overlooked: you gotta serve alcohol with Korean food, man. Alcohol and Korean food is like PB&J or fries and ketchup -- they just go together, and the glaring absence of soju or any Korean alcohol is like eating a hot dog without the bun, which could be a deal breaker for a lot of customers. Donburiya's identity seems unclear. If they are aiming to be a takeout restaurant, they should focus on dishes that are well-suited for quick preparation and easy consumption. Their current offerings are definitely enjoyed better dining in, but their limited space and team make it difficult to achieve sufficient turnover. But relying on takeout is challenging as well, as their dishes, though casual, require more preparation time than typical fast food. Which brings me to another point. They only had three staff members, including the kitchen, on a Friday night. Offering additional items like bubble tea, while appealing, can only add to the workload and slow down service, which was already on the slower side. I can't imagine how hectic it would be if they also had a bustling take out business. I admire Donburiya's offerings and ambition. I believe many people will enjoy their food. Connecticut's culinary scene may be more laid-back than other destinations, which will certainly benefit them. I am just hoping their execution allows them to thrive in the long run. Best of luck, and I'm looking forward to eating here again after a nice long hike! read more
2 years ago
They were previously a Korean restaurant, serving tofu stew soup. They rebranded and expanded their menu and now also offer Japanese cuisine. The place still looks the same, but has a refreshed wall and some interior design. The staff were friendly and took orders quickly. I got the chicken katsu lunch special, which came with miso soup. The soup was warm and hearty, but similar to the miso soup you get at sushi restaurants. The katsu was crunchy and thinly sliced, but not overly dry. Overall, I'd say the taste of the meal was good and enjoyable, but nothing stood out to me. It tasted sort of generic, like they did a good job of reheating/serving pre-made meals. I would return to try some of other menu items though! I also did order a boba, and it was ok. You can tell it was restaurant tier boba, made with powder and not actual tea. I'd recommend going to an actual boba store to fulfill that craving. read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
For years I keep hoping actual, homestyle Korean food will make its way out from NYC and the college towns. Korean BBQ is apparently the "advance troops" of the cuisine, because it is everywhere now. But "regular" Korean food is still hard to come by. There was a great little spot in Hamden with delicious food, but she closed down. However! Donburyia Cafe has taken over the space and opened with an impressive menu of Korean and Ramen and even an entire Kimbap section (WOOOO HOOOO!!!!!). This is a small, casual spot. No alcohol. All food prep happens right behind the counter where you walk in. Two women were working while I was there and were dressed extremely professionally, IIMO. They had black full aprons with matching black kitchen type hats. Really good call. Between the two of them they were doing all the prep and waiting tables. I happened to show up during peak lunch time, so there were probably 5 tables worth of people (there are maybe 8 tables total??). The wait for food was not particularly long. But it also is not going to come out immediately when there are multiple people ordering because there are just two people working and this food needs to be actually prepared. The Korean flavors I have been chasing after are Teok Bokki (English spelling varies WILDLY...) and Kimbap. Because once you've eaten the "contents" of your Teok Bokki you can then dip your Kimbap in the sauce. I ordered the Teok Bokki and the special, Donburyia Kimbap (which is HUGE and has a ton of ingredients, including Teriyaki Salmon). This is the third time I've had Teok Bokki in the past month. The previous two were at longstanding spots in Koreatown in NYC. This was the best of the three. No joke. This Teok Bokki was delicious, the sauce was perfectly seasoned (although not spicy) and thick and the "balance" between ingredients and sauce was perfect (i.e., it is not a stew/soup type situation - it's a well sauced dish). The portion size was also excellent. Big, but not too big so I couldn't also eat my Kimbap. Full disclosure, just these two things were a lot of food. But that's what I was looking for: a lot of DELICIOUS food! I'm pretty sure the other Kimbap are smaller, but I decided to try the giant one on my first visit. Why not?? Delicious food. Lovely people. Not a fancy place. But I don't need fancy. I need excellent food and chill vibe. I will be back!! read more
8 months ago
2 years ago
This place just opened up recently. I ordered online for pick up. Online ordering system was easy to use. Staff was friendly and my order was ready for pick up when I arrived. There is a small seating area available in restaurant. Food was flavorful, both of these items also came with soup which was good. Will def be back again. read more
9 months ago
1 year ago
I needed a quick tteokbokki fix and this new place popped up onto my screen, it has been a year or so since I have been to Connecticut and haven't seen this place before, so I believe it's new. I wish I had tried more things, but I did like the tteokbokki, and it came with cheese, the perfect topping. Pipping hot and ready to devour. The parking area is slightly narrow, especially when it's full, there aren't a ton of parking spaces, but I'm sure it can be doable for most. They also have a decent number of seats here if you want to dine in. They were fast and got my order on time and they were friendly as well. If I get the chance again to be in Connecticut I wouldn't mind trying more food options to really feel it out. read more
1 year ago
8 months ago
9 months ago
11 months ago
2 years ago
2 years ago
Solid, tasty Korean/Japanese food. Cozy spot with a nice Asian vibe. Sushi bar is coming soon, excited for that! Definitely worth the price. read more
1 year ago
2 years ago
2 years ago
Literally meaning "rice bowl shop" in Japanese, this new gem offers not only Japanese food, but Korean food as well. I tried it recently and I'm very glad I did. First I tried their fried tofu appetizer. The tofu itself didn't have any flavor, but it came with a delicious peanut dipping sauce. It was sweet, spicy and had chunks of peanuts in it. I liked this very much. They gave me free miso soup along with my order. It was good, but overly salty for some reason. The veggie ramen was delicious; broth was nicely balanced in flavor, noodles had a good chew and the veggies, tofu and egg were all fresh and delicious. The true star of the show, however, was the garlic shrimp fried rice. It was masterful. From the moment I opened the container the aroma alone was impressive. It was garlicky but you can still taste everything else in the dish. Savory isn't a strong enough word to describe it. It was some of the best fried rice I've ever had. If you live in or near the area and you miss Bomb (they made great fried rice but they closed down), do yourself a favor and try this place out. Excellent food overall!! read more
2 years ago
