Japan's Hidden Pork Belly Curry Cheese Rice Bowl Shop | Tokyo on Ten

Quick Overview

The video reviews the "Cheese Dontatsu Curry" pork bowl at Don Tatsu in Suidobashi, Tokyo, which costs ¥1440 ($9.15) and features pork belly, curry, cheese, a soft-boiled egg, and mayonnaise, highlighting the shop's focus on great value, large rice portions, and customizable sauces.

Key Points: The featured dish is the Cheese Dontatsu Curry Pork Bowl, priced at ¥1440 ($9.15), which includes pork belly, curry, melted cheese, a soft-boiled egg, and mayonnaise. The owner, Mr. Noda, started the shop in 2012 with his former boss and co-worker, aiming to offer filling food at the lowest possible price, especially for local university students. The standard rice portion is 400g (14.1 oz), which the owner notes is usually considered a super-sized portion at other restaurants. Don Tatsu offers four different sauce options for their pork bowls: Teriyaki Garlic, Teriyaki Ginger, Spicy Chili Pepper, and Salt Ginger. The shop also features a 1.5kg 'Daimajin' Pork Bowl Challenge for ¥2000 ($12.71), which requires challengers to reserve in advance. The owner emphasizes focusing on sauce quality over meat quality, using affordable imported meat to maintain low prices despite inflation pressures. The creator heavily enjoyed the dish, noting the creamy texture from the mayonnaise and egg yolk, and the intensely savory flavor of the curry.

Context: The video follows the creator, Paolo from Tokyo, as he visits a hidden gem restaurant called Don Tatsu near Suidobashi Station in Tokyo, which specializes in hearty and affordable pork bowls (Butadon). The owner, Mr. Noda, explains the philosophy behind the restaurant, which was established in 2012 as a partnership, focusing on providing high value and large portions to attract local students, even while facing modern inflationary pressures.

Detailed Analysis

The video documents a visit to Don Tatsu, a small restaurant located near Suidobashi Station in Tokyo, famous for its affordable and filling pork bowls. The creator orders the Cheese Dontatsu Curry Pork Bowl (¥1440 or $9.15), which is heavily topped with melted cheese, a perfectly runny soft-boiled egg (onsen tamago), a dollop of butter, and a crisscross pattern of mayonnaise, finished with shichimi togarashi spice. The owner, Mr. Noda, who bought out the business in 2012, explains that the shop's core mission is providing excellent value, which is why they serve a standard 400g rice portion, often larger than what other restaurants offer as a super-size. He notes that they prioritize perfecting the sauces—offering four types for the pork bowls—and use affordable imported meat to keep costs down, a strategy that has become increasingly difficult due to recent inflation. The owner also points out the presence of many local universities, reinforcing the student-friendly pricing model. During the tasting, the creator expresses immense satisfaction, praising the savory curry flavor, the creamy texture from the cheese and egg yolk, and the tender quality of the pork belly. The restaurant also advertises a massive 1.5kg 'Daimajin' Pork Bowl Challenge for ¥2000, which requires advance reservation.