For days when you feel like indulging but still want to keep it casual, there’s Tokidon. The fast-casual lifestyle concept from sake gastrobar Kabuke is a complete 180 from its parent establishment—here, hearty gourmet beef dons are the star offering, served in a cozy neon-lit set-up that’s all about quick and fuss-free meals.
There are six main bowls on offer—five beef and a Salmon Cha Soba ($16.90) for the pescetarians. Rest assured that the quality of beef at Tokidon is equally matched at Kabuke—only Grade 6 Wagyu slices and Grade 9 Sukiyaki Wagyu are used, and all cuts are prepared medium rare. Standouts here are definitely the Truffle Wagyu Don ($23.90), which for its price boasts a commendable balance of truffle aroma and tender beef; the affordable striploin Gyu Don ($11.90), as well as the light but filling Wagyu Sukiyaki Don ($17.90). Each comes with the obligatory onsen egg, and you have the option to swap out your donburi rice for cha soba or salad. If the flavors and execution seem familiar, it might be because Head Chef Rio Neo who heads up both Kabuke and Tokidon was a former chef at Fat Cow—something both F&B establishments are proud to acknowledge.
If you need sides to pad out your beef bowls, order up classic Japanese bites like tori karaage and ebi fried skewers, Japanese omelette, a warm and satisfying Wagyu Suji miso soup, and even helpings of foie gras—for an additional $4.90, inclusive of a canned drink.
Not neglecting their beverage line-up, Tokidon has introduced the same care in sake curation as at Kabuke; the gastrobar’s in-house sake sommelier Keiji Heng too picked out the imported cup sakes ($11.90) on offer, along with other authentic Japanese canned drinks that include grape juice and milk tea (from $2.90).
Its location in the refurbished basement of Hong Leong Building doesn’t lend itself to much footfall, but Tokidon is a quick hop away from other CBD lunch institutions like Lau Par Sat and Telok Ayer Market, which should make a fun new alternative for the office folk. For the rest of us, the outlet offers free island-wide delivery from its website with a minimum order of $100—easy to hit if you’re all getting the luscious truffle wagyu don.
