The Donburi House — Restaurant in Adelaide

Decent food let down by abysmal service!

We booked into a table of 10 for a mate's birthday. Nice cosy ambience. When a recommendation on the sake was requested the waitress did not have any idea as 'she does not drink sake'. After the waitress going back and forward a couple of times to the counter (or someone) to clarify the stuff on the menu we settled down with a few drinks.

Food order was taken promptly and orders were repeated and things were going smoothly and then tragedy struck. We were waiting for the food for nearly TWO hours. Multiple requests were made in regards to the status of food, and the food started coming out in dribs and drabs. only one serve of entree was served when two of the same was ordered to share, with the response of 'the other one is coming'. Some of the table was having mains at this point, with only half of it delivered. All of us were starting to get 'hangry' with the people who got half their food wanting to cancel the rest. Eventually the share platter and the sashimi we ordered made it through. Remember the half of the entree we received earlier, well there was no sign of it even after the mains and we had to ask again for it to be delivered almost as a dessert. I wish do not detract from the tasty food, however there was enough drama that the food was not in the limelight.

During the night they brought a 'Japanese slipper' drink which none of us have ordered. They took it back to the counter and was sitting there for a while. One of our people went to the counter to request the status of the food and also was happy to take the drink if they are going to discard it. However, it was told that they cannot do that and was discarded straight away. Fair enough you say, not when we were actually CHARGED for it!

We were a group of 10 working professionals and wasn't being a rowdy crowd. The restaurant was only half busy and there were other tables who came after us and finished well before, was a little confusing why the kitchen would be 'very busy' and 'food is coming' for hours. We spent over $600 on the night, however, was left with a bitter experience that masked the food experience! Will not be returning back until there is a great review of the service, because the risk is not really worth it...

🍣 Atmosphere & Ambience

Nestled in the quieter part of Adelaide’s CBD, The Donburi House offers a serene dining experience. The interior boasts traditional Japanese elements, including paper screens, Japanese artwork, and recycled timber table settings, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere ideal for both casual meals and intimate gatherings . 

⸻

🍱 Menu Highlights

Specializing in Donburi—Japanese rice bowl dishes—this restaurant offers a diverse menu that caters to various tastes and dietary preferences. Notable dishes include:  • Fried Soft Shell Crab with Signature Egg Sauce Don: Crispy soft shell crab paired with a rich salted egg yolk sauce, edamame, and a perfectly cooked onsen egg .  • Karaage Don with Japanese Mayo and Onsen Egg: Juicy, ginger-infused chicken karaage served with a runny onsen egg and creamy Japanese mayo .  • Dan Dan Chashu Stir Udon: Al dente udon noodles tossed in a spicy Dan Dan sauce, complemented by tender chashu pork and a soft-boiled egg . 

The menu also features vegan-friendly options, including tofu katsu and grilled vegetables, ensuring that all guests have delightful choices . 

⸻

🍶 Drinks & Service

The drink selection is impressive, offering a variety of Japanese sake, gin, whisky, and local South Australian wines. The staff are known for their friendly and attentive service, enhancing the overall dining experience . 

⸻

💰 Pricing & Value

Prices are reasonable, with most dishes ranging between $15–$25. Given the quality of the food, the generous portion sizes, and the inviting atmosphere, The Donburi House offers excellent value for money .

⸻

✅ Final Thoughts

Whether you’re a local or a visitor, The Donburi House is a must-visit for authentic Japanese cuisine in Adelaide. With its delectable dishes, welcoming ambiance, and attentive service, it promises a memorable...

Great restaurant with very chill atmosphere. The don is the best in town so far. However, the quantity is not enough for one person and one don cost approximately 17$. The fried chicken is not recommended as only small piece of chicken put inside and the flavor is just ok. But definitely recommend the don and will go back again 👍

Donburi (丼, literally "bowl", also abbreviated to "don" as a suffix, less commonly spelled "domburi") is a Japanese "rice bowl dish" consisting of fish, meat, vegetables or other ingredients simmered together and served over rice. Donburi meals are usually served in oversized rice bowls which are also called donburi. When needed to distinguish, the bowl is called donburi-bachi (丼鉢) and the dish is called donburi-mono (丼物). Donburi is sometimes called "sweetened" or "savory stews on rice".

The simmering sauce varies according to season, ingredients, region, and taste. A typical sauce might consist of dashi flavored with soy sauce and mirin. Proportions vary, but there is normally three to four times as much dashi as soy sauce and mirin. For oyakodon, Tsuji (1980) recommends dashi flavored with light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, and sugar. For gyūdon, Tsuji recommends water flavored with dark soy sauce and mirin.

Donburi can be made from almost any ingredients, including leftovers.

Gyūdon (牛丼, literally 'beef bowl'), is a Japanese dish consisting of a bowl of rice topped with beef and onion simmered in a mildly sweet sauce flavored with dashi (fish and seaweed stock), soy sauce and mirin (sweet rice wine). It also often includes shirataki noodles, and is sometimes topped with a raw egg or a soft poached egg...