Donburi — Restaurant in Washington

Lunch at Donburi – A Taste of Tokyo in Every Bite

I stopped by Donburi for a quick lunch and was genuinely impressed. I ordered the Butadon, and it was nothing short of exceptional. The pork was perfectly cooked—tender yet slightly charred on the edges, giving it a smoky depth that balanced beautifully with the sweet-salty glaze. Topped with toasted sesame seeds and a generous sprinkle of fresh green onions, every bite had layers of flavor and texture.

The wasabi was true to the menu’s promise—authentically fresh, with that unmistakable zing that elevates the entire dish. A touch of pickled ginger added a colorful and flavorful contrast.

Service was fast and efficient, ideal for a mid-day meal. The interior is clean and simple, with a minimalist decor that adds to the charm rather than distracts—exactly the kind of unpretentious setting you’d expect to find tucked away in a Tokyo neighborhood. It's the kind of place that reminds you food doesn’t need to be fancy to be deeply satisfying.

Highly recommended for anyone looking for a quick, authentic Japanese bite with heart and soul. I’ll...

Fantastic spot for a casual weekday meal! I first visited Donburi for a quick mid-workday lunch with a friend whose office is conveniently two blocks away. They have a pretty streamlined process -- you can browse the menu and order from one of two kiosks next to the entrance, and then grab a buzzer as you take a seat on their spacious second floor. The seating is pretty simple, exactly what I would expect from a casual eatery, and there's plenty of natural lighting during the daytime. The food arrived quite quickly, and was delicious. I got the ebi katsu curry, and he ordered the pork katsu curry. The curry was rich and hearty, and the katsu were both perfectly fried, with a delightfully crispy shell protecting the tender shrimp / pork inside. It was all served over a generous helping of rice, and I loved the refreshing pops of acid from the pickled radish to help contrast the heaviness of the rest of the dish. It was truly comfort in a bowl -- can't wait to...

Donburi, you surprised me. The food was spectacular and filling. Worth every cent. I ordered the Donburi bowl, curry tonkatsu and a side of the shrimp tempura. The donburi bowl looked small but boy was I wrong, it is FILLING! The curry was one of, if not, the best tasting tonkatsu curries I’ve had in the US. The curry was light (in a good way) and lets the flavor of the crunchy tonkatsu through to your palate, so that it’s not just a fried piece of meat. The breading for all of the fried foods was very authentic to the Japanese way, panko breading. You could hear the crunch but it wasn’t chewy like you’d think. The only way I could replicate the texture is if I were to bite into a Cadbury Flake bar. Smooth and satisfying. I’m usually very critical when trying a new place out, but this place has blown my expectation out of the water. To the owners, keep doing what you’re doing. To newcomers, definitely give this place out. This will not be...