Tokidon Serves More Affordable Wagyu Truffle Don Than Sister Eatery Kabuke

Who knew the basement of Hong Leong Building in the CBD had so many food options? The recently refurbished enclave — simply named The Basement — includes makan options like Teppei’s udon joint Fu Men and Korean ‘ugly’ pretzel store Monnani Kwabaeggi. And then there’s the three-month-old Tokidon. This small 36-seat self-service joint is the fast casual extension of the beef gyudon bowls they serve a hop and skip away at sibling Japanese restaurant Kabuke on Telok Ayer Street.

For a slight discount from the original (Kabuke's wagyu bowl usually goes for $28 a pop versus the $23.90 here), you get to taste their gyudons — if you're willing to huddle next to strangers at the long communal tables in this quick-service setting and have your grub in disposable paper bowls instead of proper ones. Tokidon claims that the serving sizes and ingredients are exactly the same in both locations, so if you're looking for a quick and yummy meal, zoom down here. Kabuke’s head chef Rio Neo, a Fat Cow and Kinki restaurant alum, oversees the cooking here, but is usually stationed at the main restaurant.