| rev:text
| - Onki Donburi is a little difficult to find. Trust me, don't go by your Google maps, as there is construction and it will tell you to traverse several buildings. Loop around church and follow the narrow path called Hayden until you see a spa parlour. Onki Donburi is next to it.
However, once you do find it, you'll enjoy the interior design. The white and brown colour palette creates a chic yet minimalistic impression. For all you fellow clean freaks, the washrooms are spotless and organized as well. They even have an open kitchen, which is refreshing. Just don't expect any performances, so I wouldn't encourage you to scramble to get a seat in front of the kitchen.
In terms of seating, you will only have the option of high top seating in rows. Since you won't be able to sit across from your party members, Onki is not suitable for medium to large sized parties that enjoy lively conversation among multiple members across the table. The best you will be able to do is speak to the person on either side of you, so this establishment is perfect for a date or a 2-3 person party.
Now, in terms of the food, don't set a high bar even though Onki Donburi is trending. Last Friday, my friend and I were a little disappointed with our meals. The dishes were not terrible; they were just decent. For example, we ordered the Onki Karaage and I found the breading to be thicker than average, which took away from the potential juiciness of the chicken flesh. Also, we ordered the Buta Fire and the Buta Red Fire to compare the two since we were told that the Buta Red Fire was the spicy version of the other. Unfortunately, the sauce that differentiated the fire one from the other was sweet, not spicy, so I was crestfallen. On the bright side, there was a good ratio of meat to carbs, which is something to appreciate since a lot of establishments tend to be less generous with their portions of meat. Overall, however, the rice bowls were flavourful, but their flavours weren't complex and by all means they weren't memorable.
I wouldn't say you should go ham over this restaurant if you're out of the area because there are better alternatives out there. However, if you're in the area, Onki Donburi is a pleasant spot to hit up with a friend or date if you're craving for Japanese grub that isn't sushi or ramen. At least try it once, I say.
|