The latest Japanese eats in Jurong

WEST SIDE STORY – These latest Japanese eats in Jurong are worth the trip.

Don Don Donki

Don Don Donki at JCube has been drawing the crowds as soon as it opened in November and the buzz hasn’t worn off. Housed in the basement, the Japanese discount chain’s seventh outlet is split into a supermarket and a 360-seat food court. What’s enticing people: crispy takoyaki (octopus balls) from Gindaco, with long queues at peak hours.

Not forgetting grilled unagi don (from Tokyo’s Tsukiji Market) and an okonomiyaki corner, with rows of the Japanese pancake being griddled. There are also ramen chains Marutama and Tonkotsu King, as well as mackerel specialist Sabar. The supermarket has its own sushi bar offering sushi burgers and oden. Don Don Donki is opening another outlet, focusing on lifestyle products, at Jem in January 2020.

&Joy Dining Hall

Over at Jurong Point, the multi-concept &Joy Dining Hall opened in October and offers affordable Japanese meals. Four stalls sell ramen (try the tomato cheese one), homestyle meals, beef bowls and yakitori, while two standalone eateries o er pizza and sushi. Getting your food is high-tech here — you either order and pay at a digital kiosk or with a QR code on your mobile phone.

What’s high on flavour: the thin-crust pizzas at the Pittarino restaurant. They’re baked fast — 90 seconds! — in a special oven. Try the Bismark, with ham, spinach, soft-boiled egg, mozzarella and Parmigiano cheese.

Or go for the gyudon sets at Osaka beef specialist Roman.Tei. Made up of tender beef steak, beef slices or roast beef, the sets come with miso soup and vegetables, and hot dashi broth to pour over your beef bowl.