Don Bay Japanese Lunch Place
(down Gurner’s Lane)
Phone 03 9670 3456
Mon-Fri 11am - 3pm
Don Bay is an unassuming little Japanese cafe at the bottom of a stairway in a dingy laneway in downtown Melbourne. Most would probably walk right on by without even realising it was there. So you can imagine my surprise when I popped in and found the place full of hungry patrons.
The whole experience is decidely Japanese, from the friendly call of “irrashimase” when you step through the door, to choosing your food from a picture menu. The decor is functional and somewhat dated, and seats only a handful of people (note: you may have to wait in line if you want to eat in).
This is not your typical sushi sushi experience - it is authentic and retro Japanese diner fare. We’re speaking lots of deep fried goodness tempered with a few Japanese curries/hash, bentos aplenty, sukiyaki, oyakodon, yakitoridon and other dons, teriyaki, gyoza, croquettes, soba/noodle salads, udon soup and a small selection of sushi. Japanese drinks such as Calpis and unsweetened green tea are also available.
The katsu curry don (one of my favourites) is a crumbed pork fillet on rice, doused in a Japanese curry beef sauce. It may not look pretty, but this is one of the best katsu curry dons in town. The sauce wasn’t just a packet mix (well…it probably was well, but it had been pimped), and had real flecks of gravy beef and chunks of carrot. The pork fillet was tender and crumbed crunchily with a thick layer of panko. A small side of red pickled ginger sat to the side.
I’m just bummed this place is on the other side of the CBD from where I work, else I would probably venture there more often. Also note that it is only open for weekday lunches - another bummer.
Written by mellie on
February 24th, 2008 | Tags: cafes, Japanese | Category: Uncategorized
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February 24th, 2008 at 12:19 pm
I used to go to Don Bay all the time. It reminds me of an urban train station diner - quick, dirty and delicious. We’re not talking high cuisine but good, fast Japanese food that’s cheap and tasty.
By the way, practically all curry in Japan tastes like it comes from a curry mix or curry paste; when it comes to (the rather bland, slightly sweet, and oh-so-delicious) curry, it’s rarely built from scratch.
February 25th, 2008 at 12:42 am
MMMmmm.. KatsuKari,one of my favourites. Have you tried the one at Izakaya Chuji? Very generous serving and crunchy too. Drinks- beers and sake are also priced extremely well.
February 25th, 2008 at 2:46 am
Mellie, I made a BEELINE for this place for lunch today after having read your review! Loved it, will have to add it to my King Bourke Quest. Thanks so much for the hot tip…
February 25th, 2008 at 5:58 am
Hey urbanmemoir - I’m hearing you. I must confess I ate way too much curry when I was in Japan - the ol’ packet Vermont stuff is everywhere! But Don Bay is great. It really reminded me of those retro diners where you can get a cheap and nasty meal in minutes. I have a certain weakness for the stuff, especially when it smothers a nice hunk of katsu
Hey vince - I actually haven’t tried the one at Izakaya Chuji yet. I have always been sidetracked by other stuff on the menu. I must make it my mission!
Hey mutemonkey (aka. Claire) - glad you enjoyed it! I look forward to reading about it on your blog
Hmm…did you go the katsu curry don?
February 25th, 2008 at 8:01 am
I’m up for the hike (or tram-ride) any time!
March 10th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
Indeed I did go the katsu curry don mellie, albeit on my second visit (my second visit in a single week!)… you can read about my visits on my blog