DonDonYa Montreal Review | Japanese Restaurant in Côte-des-Neiges
If you're looking for a delicious Tonkatsu sandwich in Montreal (とんかつサンド / Tonkatsu Sando), then DonDonYa is definitely a place worth checking out. With two locations in the city—one in Côte-des-Neiges and another in downtown Montreal—this Japanese restaurant has become a popular destination for delicious Tonkatsu dishes, Japanese comfort food, and authentic flavours.
During my visit, I stopped by the Côte-des-Neiges location at 5349 Avenue Gatineau, Montréal, and I was excited to experience what they had to offer. Since opening its doors on March 1st, this location has quickly become a popular spot for locals looking to enjoy Japanese-inspired dishes in the neighborhood.
DonDonYa offers a variety of menu options, including their famous Tonkatsu Sando (とんかつサンド), crispy breaded pork cutlets, Japanese curries, refreshing teas, desserts, and more. During my visit, I had the opportunity to try several items from their menu and was impressed by the taste, presentation, and overall experience.
From the moment you walk in, DonDonYa offers a casual and welcoming atmosphere that makes it a great spot for lunch, a relaxed meal with friends, or anyone looking to discover Japanese cuisine in Montreal. Whether you're a longtime fan of Tonkatsu or trying this Japanese favourite for the first time, DonDonYa is a restaurant worth adding to your Montreal food list.
DonDon Ya-丼丼屋 A neighborhood eatery serving inventive Asian fare in compact quarters with exposed brick walls.
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The Menu at DonDonYa
The menu at DonDonYa immediately stood out to me. As an Asian fusion restaurant in Montreal, DonDonYa offers a diverse selection of dishes inspired by Japanese cuisine and other Asian flavours. With over a dozen pages featuring appetizers, main dishes, desserts, and drinks, there are plenty of options to choose from.
One detail I especially appreciated was that every menu item includes a photo, making it easy to see exactly what each dish looks like before ordering. After visiting dozens of restaurants, this was the first time I came across a menu with such a complete visual guide for every item.
I found this to be a huge plus, especially for guests who may be trying Japanese cuisine for the first time or are unfamiliar with certain dishes. It is a thoughtful feature that makes the ordering experience easier and more enjoyable — something I wish more restaurants would consider adding to their menus.
My Full Order at DonDonYa
Tonkatsu Sandwich (とんかつサンド / Tonkatsu Sando)
Lychee Osmanthus Jello
Black Tea Panna Cotta
DonDonYa Menu
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Katsu Sando (カツサンド)
Tonkatsu Sandwich (とんかつサンド / Tonkatsu Sando)
Choosing my main dish was not an easy decision because DonDonYa offers so many tempting options. After looking through the menu, I decided to try their Tonkatsu Sandwich (とんかつサンド / Tonkatsu Sando), and I can honestly say I do not regret my choice. This sandwich was absolutely delicious and exceeded my expectations.
Ingredients:
Japanese milk bread
Fried pork cutlet
Cabbage
Cucumbers
Blended signature sauce
The sandwich was beautifully presented on a small wooden board, cut in half and topped with their blended sauce. The Tonkatsu Sando was thick, generously filled, and packed with fresh vegetables and a large piece of crispy fried pork cutlet.
Every bite had a great balance of flavor. The Japanese milk bread was soft yet sturdy enough to hold all the ingredients without becoming soggy, which made the sandwich enjoyable from the first bite to the last. The combination of the crispy pork, fresh vegetables, and signature sauce came together perfectly.
This is definitely a dish I would recommend trying at DonDonYa. The Tonkatsu Sandwich (とんかつサンド) receives a well-deserved 10/10 from me.
Lychee Osmanthus Jello-ライチ、キンモクセイゼリー
Lychee Osmanthus Jello
I love lychees, so it was no surprise that I ordered the lychee osmanthus jello. This refreshing drink was filled with sweet lychee, blended osmanthus flowers, and jelly, creating a unique combination of flavours and textures.
The taste was truly unique, and I honestly felt like I was enjoying a cool dessert rather than a traditional drink—perhaps it can be enjoyed as both! The chewy jelly pieces paired perfectly with the delicate floral notes of osmanthus and the refreshing sweetness of lychee.
This drink is the perfect choice for a warm summer day, especially if you are looking for something refreshing and different. Overall, I loved the creative combination of flavours and textures, making this a must-try beverage at DonDonYa!
Black tea panna cotta—紅茶奶凍
Black Tea Panna Cotta (紅茶パンナコッタ / Kōcha Panna Kotta)
To end my meal at DonDonYa, I had to order dessert! I decided on the Black Tea Panna Cotta (紅茶パンナコッタ / Kōcha Panna Kotta), which was served with light syrup and chewy tapioca pearls on a small saucer with a beautiful gold spoon.
If you are looking for an extremely sweet panna cotta, this may not be the dessert for you. Instead, this dessert offers a more subtle sweetness, with the tapioca pearls and light syrup adding just the right amount of sweetness to complement the black tea flavor.
The taste of the black tea really stood out and helped balance all of the flavours beautifully. While I cannot say this was my all-time favourite dessert, I truly appreciated the unique flavor combination, elegant presentation, and creativity behind this dish.
My Second Visit to DonDonYa
Folks, I enjoyed my first visit to DonDonYa so much that I had to come back and try more of their menu! This time, I decided to explore three new items: the Chia Lemonade, Yaki Don, and Taro Chiffon Cake.
Once again, DonDonYa did not disappoint. I thoroughly enjoyed everything I ordered, and each dish offered its own unique flavours and presentation. From refreshing drinks to savory Japanese-inspired dishes and a sweet dessert to finish, this second visit gave me the opportunity to discover even more of what this Asian fusion restaurant in Montreal has to offer. Check out my updated visit below, and as always, feel free to leave a comment and share your favourite dish from DonDonYa!
My Full Order
Chia Lemonade
Yaki Don
Taro Chiffon Cake
Chia Lemonade-チアレモネード
Chia Lemonade
Just like the Lychee Osmanthus Jello, the Chia Lemonade receives a solid 10/10 from me. In my opinion, DonDonYa has some of the best homemade drinks I have tried so far in Montreal.
This lemonade was incredibly fresh, refreshing, and perfectly balanced. It was not overly sweet, which allowed the natural flavours to shine through, and it was the perfect drink to quench my thirst. The combination of freshly made lemonade and chia seeds worked surprisingly well together, creating a fun texture while keeping the drink light and refreshing.
If I had not ordered dessert, I definitely would have considered ordering a second glass of this drink! With spring officially here and warmer weather approaching, I think this Chia Lemonade will be a huge hit throughout the summer months.
Yaki Don-焼き丼
Yaki Don
For my entrée, I ordered the Yaki Don for $13. This dish features BBQ Taiwanese pork, rice, cabbage, corn, and shredded carrots, creating a colourful and satisfying meal.
All of the ingredients blended together beautifully, with each component adding its own flavour and texture. The portion size was generous and very filling, making it a great option for anyone looking for a hearty meal.
My favourite part of this dish was the BBQ pork. It was grilled to perfection, tender, flavourful, and topped with toasted sesame seeds that added a delicious finishing touch. The combination of the savoury pork, fresh vegetables, and rice created a well-balanced dish.
I highly recommend trying the Yaki Don at DonDonYa. The presentation, portion size, and taste were all impressive, and I would happily order this dish again on my next visit.
Taro Chiffon Cake-里芋のシフォンケーキ
Taro Chiffon Cake
For dessert, I ordered the Taro Chiffon Cake, and it definitely hit the spot. This was my first time trying taro as part of a dessert, and I was pleasantly surprised by how delicious and unique the flavour was.
The dessert featured a soft vanilla sponge cake as the bottom layer, topped with a smooth taro layer and creamy frosting. The combination of flavours and textures was simply amazing, and I will order it again. At first glance, the size of this dessert may appear small, but it is packed with flavour and quality ingredients. Every bite was enjoyable, and this dessert is a solid 10/10.
DonDonYa Côte-des-Neiges Montreal
I had a great experience at DonDonYa Côte-des-Neiges. The staff was incredibly friendly, and the food exceeded my expectations. One thing that impressed me was the value—I spent less than $25 CAD during each visit, which makes this restaurant a great option for anyone looking for affordable Japanese-inspired food.
Ordering was also a smooth experience. The menu features pictures of each dish, drink, and dessert, making it much easier to place your order. This is ideal for guests who may be unfamiliar with Japanese dishes.
Every item I tried was delicious. The Lychee Osmanthus Jello was refreshing, and they did not hold back on the ingredients. The Black Tea Panna Cotta (紅茶パンナコッタ / Kōcha Panna Kotta) offered a unique flavor and texture, while the Tonkatsu Sandwich (とんかつサンド / Tonkatsu Sando) was my favourite item of the visit. Each bite was packed with flavor, and it is the dish that will bring me back to DonDonYa again.
I highly recommend visiting this Japanese restaurant in Côte-des-Neiges, Montreal. DonDonYa receives a well-deserved 10/10 from me for its delicious flavors, welcoming atmosphere, and overall dining experience. I especially enjoyed my interaction with the owner, who was friendly, passionate, and very involved in creating a great experience for guests.
I will definitely be returning soon to explore more items from their menu! For more information about their locations, menu, and hours, please visit DonDonYa's official Instagram.
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