Are you a fan of Asian cuisine?
Have you noticed the lack of restaurants serving Asian cuisine around Beirut (and Lebanon for that matter)?
DON Eatery, located in the newly opened Restos St. Nicolas complex in Ashrafieh, is still fairly new to the Lebanese market. This Asian eatery offers soulful Asian street food dishes such as Ramen and Baos, as well as Japanese rice bowls including Duck and Beef Donburi. You can order a different Japanese rice bowl dish every time you visit!
When you place your order at the counter (the restaurant is self-service), they give you a SUPER random rubber toy. When your food is ready, your waiter brings it to you!
Featured on Best New Restaurants in Beirut, here’s the review of the summer menu at DON Eatery in Ashrafieh.
T and I visited DON Eatery for lunch and it was truly a unique experience for both of us. FYI, DON Eatery is a great place to start if you’re unfamiliar to this type of cuisine.
I haven’t tried the Ramen yet though since it’s off the menu in the summer! – Ramen, I’m coming for you 😉 Also, I see noodles on my next visit.
DON Eatery serves “#CommonSenseInABowl” – and this is clearly evident when comparing prices vs. portions vs. quality.
We started with some funky-coloured drinks.
Arizona peach-flavoured iced tea was delicious and light. We also ordered cola was a tad sweet and tasted like the packed cola jellies. I am (unfortunately) a fan of these addictive candies, however, not in liquid form haha. The Japanese beer was pretty good too!
Anyway, let’s get to the main show – that is what you’re here for, right?
Here’s what we tried at DON Eatery:
Chili Mango Salad (16,000 LBP) – The first noticeable thing honestly was the size. For that price, in central Beirut? It’s a pretty good portion and enough for a light dinner for one (at least in my opinion). The ingredients in this exotic salad fuse very well together. It’s so fresh too! I recommend this salad and will order again on my next visit 🙂
Marinated Salmon Poke (20,000 LBP) – Fresh marinated salmon sashimi tops a big bowl of sticky sushi rice, along with avocado chunks, spring onions, edamame, and purslane. It’s light, fresh, and a perfect meal for one. Recommended!
Duck Bao (16,000 LBP) – TOO sweet for my taste. Hoisin sauce is used in the duck cooking process and then once served, the bao is topped with more Hoisin and pomegranate. Let’s turn the sweetness down a notch. The bao buns were so soft and fluffy – first time having a bao and I’m in love with the texture! Can we sleep on these things?
Beef Satay Donburi (22,000 LBP) – Fried rice with a medley of flavorsoume ingredients and topped with marinated beef skewers. It’s served with a peanut sauce on the side if that’s your thing, then this is your dish. Personally, I’m not a fan of drenching my scrumptious golden fried rice in sweet peanut sauce.
Golden Curry Salmon Bowl – This item is off the menu now and I’m unsure when or if it will be back any time soon. DON, darling, bring this one back. The Golden Curry Salmon Bowl at DON Eatery was my favourite of all the dishes we tried.
What happened to dessert?
We had Mochi (9,000 LBP) for dessert. I have a strong-willed sweet tooth and dessert options at DON Eatery are rather limited. I spotted a Sticky Toffee Pudding when they first opened that seems to have disappeared from the menu 🙁 Other than Mochi, DON Eatery also offers Baos in Lotus, Peanut Butter, and Nutella varieties – I’ll try these next time.
Final Verdict?
Although we started a little better with the fresh bowls, I enjoyed the Asian fusion experience at DON Eatery. I’ll definitely be coming back to try out some more items.
When you’re craving something different from the usual, pass by this Asian eatery for a taste of the East here in Beirut.
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DON Eatery
Address: Restos St. Nicolas, Charles Malek Avenue, Ashrafieh, Beirut District
Contact: +961-76-766966
For opening hours and more info, follow DON Eatery on Facebook / Instagram or check the menu on 
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