Recently, Lisa told me about this amazing dinner she and Dainahara had at a new Japanese place: Don-kounosuke. She made it sound so incredible that by the end of our conversation I was already Googling the place to make a reservation for that evening.
Traditional don
Don-kounosuke is a cosy little restaurant on the Westerkade. They serve a traditional Japanese dish called don: a steaming bowl of rice topped with your choice of meat, vegetables, or fish, and served with dashi – a delicious Japanese broth. You also get to choose between different Japanese condiments, like yuzu relish and fresh wasabi, to add to your bowl. The idea is that you first taste the toppings and rice as they are, then add condiments to your liking. Once you’ve finished the toppings, you pour in your dashi and enjoy a whole other dimension to this lovely dish.
Taste test
My date and I arrived hungry and excited to try something new… and what better way to start than with sake, served and enjoyed the traditional way? We started with a few appetizers, including octopus balls: deep-fried, sweet and sticky, and unlike anything I’ve ever had before. Highly recommended!
For mains, we shared the seafood don and the miso eggplant don. The seafood don is piled high with delicate sashimi tuna, salmon, and scallop. The miso eggplant don is heavenly too: buttery fried eggplant in a luscious miso sauce. We couldn’t pick a favourite, though our condiment winner was definitely the yuzu relish. And of course, we accompanied our dishes with Japanese beer and cocktails.
Finally, it was time for dessert: the most incredible matcha ice cream I’ve ever had. I would seriously buy that stuff in a tub and keep it in my freezer at all times. For emergencies.
It was the kind of meal we told all our friends about, and one we will be back for – stat! A final tip: make sure you reserve a table to avoid disappointment!
Westerkade 27 | don-kounosuke.com | Facebook | Instagram
Hours of operation:
Tues-Thurs 17:30-22:00
Fri 17:30-22:30
Sat & Sun 11:30-22:30
Photo’s: Dainahara Polonia (Dinner Lisa & Dainahara)
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