Adapted from image: @teppeisyokudo
Chirashi and kaisen dons are rarely budget-friendly because of the fresh seafood involved. Yet we pay for them anyway, because the moment a thick slab of sashimi melts in your mouth, all damage done to your wallet is instantly worth it.
But you don’t have to keep breaking the bank for those Japanese rice bowl cravings – here are the most affordable chirashi and kaisen dons for you to gobble up the next time you’re in town:
Image credit: @mrtimothyhuang
Hidden in Manulife Centre near SMU is Chirashi Tei, a gem that has Bara Chirashi Don for only $9.90. The freshness of the sashimi is on par with those in fancier restaurants, and being located in Food Republic means there’s no GST or service charge.
SMU students, you’re in for a treat – flash your student card to get 15% off ($8.40).
Address: #01-03, Manulife Centre, 51 Bras Basah Road, Singapore 189554
Opening Hours: Mon – Sun: 8AM-10PM
Telephone: 6238 1601
Image credit: @simtaste
Apart from the usual items on their trademark sushi train, Genki Sushi also has Chirashi Dons available at a steal for just $9.80, making it one of the ideal places to head to for a bit when you’re in town on a budget.
Prawn lovers will be pleased to know that unlike usual chirashi dons, Genki’s contains prawn sashimi as well – something you don’t often find in the average Japanese eatery here.
Address: #04-30, Orchard Central, 181 Orchard Road, Singapore 238896
Opening Hours: Mon – Sun: 11.30AM-10PM
Telephone: 6238 0900
Image credit: @xxiaohann
Located within walking distance of Dhoby Ghaut and Bras Basah MRT Stations, Barashi-Tei is perfect if you’re looking for a place to have supper HTHTs with your best buds.
Open till the wee hours of 2am on Monday to Saturday, they serve a mean Bara Chirashi Don for just $13.80 – which includes a satisfying array of sashimi including salmon, octopus, and scallop. It doesn’t stop there – enjoy a complimentary side of pickles, miso soup, and even slices of watermelon to end off your meal on a sweet note.
Address: 266 Middle Road, Elias Building, Singapore 188991
Opening Hours: Mon – Sat: 11AM-3PM, 6PM-2AM | Sun: 11AM-3PM, 6PM-10PM
Telephone: 6837 0506
Image credit: @tsuyokufeng
Boru Boru’s Boru Chirashi is an absolute steal at only $13.90 nett – with premium Niigata rice, large chunks of freshly-diced sashimi, complete with a sprinkle of sesame seeds and nori. They’re situated within Candour Coffee, so grab a cuppa while you’re savouring your bowl of treasure.
Address: 41 Beach Road, Candour Coffee, Singapore 189680
Opening Hours: Mon – Fri: 1130AM-9PM | Closed on weekends
Telephone: 9457 0070
Image credit: @catherinecwyee
If you enjoy the freedom of customising your own meal, head over to Kaisen Tei and build yourself a bowl of sashimi goodness. Their DIY Kaisen Don ($11) option lets you pick 2 out of 6 choices of seafood, including salmon, swordfish, and clam. Opt for your sashimi to be lightly torched if you wish, before selecting your preferred sauce – there’s shoyu, citrus, onion, and garlic, all specially created by their head chef.
Note: If you’d like more fishy goodness in your meal, you can get the the DIY Kaisen Don with 4 choices of seafood for $16.
Address: #03-41, 313@Somerset, 313 Orchard Road, Singapore 238895
Opening Hours: Mon – Thurs, Sun, PH: 1130AM – 10PM | Fri – Sat, Eve of PH: 1130AM-1030PM
Telephone: 6836 5612
Image credit: @mizrock
For those of you who only love salmon sashimi, you’re in for a treat – famous for their donburis with signature seasoned rice, Tanuki Raw is offering their Salmon Kaisen Don (U.P. $16) at only $12.90 during lunch hours (1130AM – 3PM). Other than freshly sliced sashimi, it also comes with seared aburi salmon belly and juicy ikura.
Add just $2 to get miso soup, salad, and green tea for a complete set meal.
Address: #04-01, Orchard Central, 181 Orchard Rd, Singapore 238896
Opening Hours: Mon – Sun: 1130AM-1030PM
Telephone: 6636 5949
Image credit: Hana Restaurant
From flying soba noodles to sushi served in drawers, Hana Restaurant has constantly been taking over our Instagram feeds. But other than that, you wouldn’t want to miss out on their towering California Chirashi Don going for just $12.90.
In a spin on the usual chirashi don, the main star of this dish is a generous heap of crunchy tobiko. The zesty roe rests atop crabstick, chunks of tamago, cucumber, avocado, and sushi rice seasoned with sakura denbu – pink sweetened fish flakes.
Note: The California Chirashi Don is only available during lunch hours (12PM – 230PM).
Address: #01-17, Forum The Shopping Mall, 583 Orchard Road, Singapore 238884
Opening Hours: Mon – Sun: 12PM-230PM, 6PM-930PM
Telephone: 6737 5525
Image credit: @teppeisyokudo
If you’re a small-eater or picky about the types of sashimi you eat, Teppei Syokudo’s DIY Kaisen Don is perfect for you. At only $8.80 for a small-sized don, you get to pick 2 sashimi choices from a total of 8 types of fish and meat – there’s salmon, tuna, scallop, and even whelk. Portions here are generous, with a good heaping of ingredients even for small dons.
Note: If you’ve got a larger appetite, Teppei also has regular-sized Kaisen Don ($16) and M and L-sized DIY Kaisen Dons ($15.80 and $19.80).
Address: #B4-57, ION Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn, 238801
Opening Hours: Mon – Sun: 10AM-10PM
Telephone: 6509 9882
So don’t worry if you’re in town on a budget, because now you know where to make a beeline for to satiate that sashimi craving!
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