Japanese Don Dining KOUNOSUKE in Wijk 06 Binnenstad

The service was good, but the amount and quality (taste) of the food was really disappointing. The appetizer (Fishcake and Eggplant) was alright, but very small portions for €8,- per dish. The idea behind the main dishes (the Dons) was eating it in three phases: normal (1), with some (self-chosen) spices/additions (2) and with some broth (3). You choose the additions before seeing the main dish. This is inconvenient, because you have no idea what would suit well with the dish. The sliced iberico tasted good, but the dish consisted mainly of a lot of plain rice, and three sugar snaps (beans). This did not mix well with the three random additions (I chose yuzu, sesame seeds and mayonaise) and we ended up eating rice mixed with mayonaise. The broth was just hot water with no real taste, so mixing this into it made it even worse. My partner had exactly the same experience, but with a different Don and different additions. All in all, €22.50 for a lot of rice, some meat and three beans is extremely overpriced. Would not recommend.

The food is delicious and the service is friendly, but unfortunately, I wouldn't go back anytime soon because I don't think the price-to-quantity ratio is good. For example, you can choose toppings for your don, but you're presented with tiny amounts of ingredients. Think six strips of seaweed or less than a teaspoon of sesame seeds. You also only get a tiny amount of wasabi and chili pepper per dish (see the photos in other reviews). Such a shame!

I think I found my new most favourite place in Utrecht. We were greeted and taken care of by extremely hospitable and polite ladies. The flavours of food weren’t just sublime they als conveyed the culture of Japanese cuisine and eating. Everything tasted fresh and well prepared. Absolute recommendation: houjicha tea and takoyaki. Don Kaisen recommendation goes without saying - incredible fish taste. Thank you for having us!

Delicious food, but the tables were a bit too small. The staff was friendly!

Fantastic! It's been years since I've had such a delicious meal. Forget all the other restaurants, go here. Excellent and friendly service. The food is incredibly delicious and very affordable.

It’s kind of funny how different between the real experience and the reviews here. The food was not good and tasteless (only looks good). The most ridiculous thing was they limited customers to have dinner there within 1.5 hours. And after that you’ll be kicked out. I never ever had this experience in any of the restaurants in the world. It’s funny that nobody commented about this here. And the prices are high, worthless high. I will be just honest, I will not go there again.

Excellent food, such a special experience

We've never had Japanese food like this before. From yaktori to katsu don, every bite was a treat. The staff was very attentive. We'll definitely be eating here again!

To be honest, we were very disappointed with our don's. We had the katsu don and beef with soy. The rice was overcooked (and the most important part of the dish), and the meat just wasn't great quality for the price. It's a shame. The price-quality ratio is simply not right.

Half of the menu is unavailable as they don’t have it in the kitchen. And on top of everything they burnt the chicken. Very very disappointing. Do not go here.

The food is outstanding, high quality and delicious. Lovely atmosphere, good service. Make sure to reserve a portion of zukesashimi, it’s absolutely delicious and it does run out.

Small Japanese restaurant. The food was delicious and the service was polite and very friendly. I would add some decoration to the bare walls. Prices are a bit high. Recommend.

Loved the experience of dining here! Food were always great and consistently tasty. Located in a beautiful neighbourhood. Service has always been top notch, very friendly and helpful staffs.

The ingredients they used were nice, but the Dons turned out to be kind of a disappointment keeping for this price. The Asian fusion appetiser salads were much better though, and we weren’t impressed by their desserts options. Staff were in general friendly but one of the waitresses was kind of pushy when we clearly indicated that we had no plan for ordering desserts.

The appetizers were delicious, but the main course was disappointing. I had the don with fish. You get boiled rice with fish; there's no sauce or anything like that. I struggled to get the flavor right with the seasoning you choose. I also find the price quite high.

Fantastic food, delicious and refined. The service is always excellent: discreetly present and always fast and friendly. A unique combination of good food and excellent service.

Finally managed to make a reservation and try this one. The place is simple but warm like any other Japanese restaurants. It was recommended to try 2-3 appetizers and the seafood/beef don. So we picked Torigyoza (chicken dumplings), Karaage (fried chicken), Takoyaki (Fried octopus ball with okonomiyaki sauce) which was my favorite from the lot. Then the mains, Kaisen Don (Raw salmon, tuna, scallop with soy sauce). They explained us how to eat it which is also mentioned in the menu. Apart from the Don and the topping you can also pick 3 spices/relishes. That and a dashi included in the price. It took a while to serve after the appetizers. Also tried their homemade matcha ice cream which I enjoyed. The drink I ordered was not to my liking. Yuzushu soda, Japanese fruitsake cocktail.

I'm a regular. Never disappoints. Veggie menu is great! Photo is home made matcha ice cream (special menu item august 2025). AMAZING!

A very small restaurant just outside the historic center, with the station's paid parking lot nearby. The restaurant is small and very popular, so reservations are recommended. There are a variety of hot and cold appetizers to choose from, and the main course is a rice bowl with a variety of toppings.

The attentive and friendly service, as well as the decor were much appreciated. However, this is very subpar Japanese food, which definitely does not justify its price and the intended standing of the restaurant. Everything from the tonkatsu (fully smothered in the tonkatsu sauce, extremely dry meat that was evidently not tenderized) to the dons was deceptively disappointing. I picked what I thought was the safest pick — a kaisen don — and while they tried to make it an enjoyable experience with different ways to try it (with various peppers, wasabi, soy sauce, and dashi broth), it was the blandest I ever had. Both the rice and seafood/fish had no added value. The scallops tasted like nothing and were mushier than I am used to. They spontaneously show you an entire tray of a dozen pinches-sized things to add to your don and tell you to only pick three— which isn’t reprehensible, but not necessarily the smartest way to go at it.

Great don with truly authentic Sake, it’s an oasis in a country that is a desert of gastronomy

I had an amazing experience at Don Dining Kounosuke. I loved the food, the drinks, the staff and the environment! Not my first time to visit, and definitely not the last either. My favourite place to have dinner!

We had gyoza as starters and rice bowls (with teriyaki chicken and beef). The gyoza were way too oily and lacked flavor. As for the rice bowls, the meat was a bit dry, cut into large pieces, with very basic seasoning and few condiments. This is very surprising given the mass of good reviews: we were really expecting something very good and, to our great surprise, we were quite disappointed overall.

Ordered the Yakiniku Don. Flavours were fine but the portion felt too small and overall a bit underwhelming. Dessert was the highlight, the ice creams and mochi were excellent, definitely worth coming back for!

We had an amazing night here!The restaurant is clean and neat, but gives a warm cozy vibe. The staff is super kind and they really seem passionate about their work. There’s lots of appetisers to choose from, but the real star are the Don(s)

Super fresh fish and a great selection of toppings and appetizers!

We had the Kaisen Don and Miso Iberico Katsu Don—both absolutely delicious. Fresh seafood over rice, and rich, tender katsu with deep miso flavour. Cozy, minimal space with a true Japanese feel. Do reserve a table—the place is always full at dinner time!

Went here for the first time and definitely coming back. The food was amazing! The iberico katsu was so good and paired really well with the miso paste. Not only the food but the service was so personal and lovely. I even bought their green tea to take home because I liked it so much. We had a wonderful dining experience thanks to the staff.

If you’re in Utrecht and curious about something genuinely different from sushi, Don Dining Kounosuke is a must-visit. Just remember to reserve ahead and go in ready to savor each layer of that customizable rice bowl.

If you've never tried Japanese donburi, here's your chance. FOOD My boyfriend and I love Asian food, but had never heard of donburi before. This restaurant was definitely a great first experience. You start with smaller appetizers to share. We opted for takoyaki, which were also quite juicy. For the donburi, everyone gets a bowl of rice and a topping of their choice. There are several options, including vegetarian options. I chose the tofu, which, to my surprise, a) turned out to be silken tofu and was pleasantly soft, leaving a nice mouthfeel, and b) was coated in a sweet glaze. Not exactly what I was expecting, and I would have preferred something more savory. However, that doesn't change the fact that the tofu was of high quality and still tasted very good. Everyone can choose three toppings to add to their donburi. And you can add broth at the end, which was sometimes necessary because some topping options are a bit drier. We both really enjoyed combining the individual ingredients while eating. It somehow makes it a very special experience. For dessert, we had matcha ice cream, which really tasted intensely of matcha. Completely different from what you might expect from an ice cream parlor or supermarket, for example. The motchi with sesame ice cream was also very tasty. SERVICE The service matched the good quality of the food well. The staff were dressed in traditional clothing and were extremely friendly and attentive. This rounded off the experience. ATMOSPHERE The restaurant is always quite full and therefore relatively crowded, although the space is comparatively small. Accordingly, the noise level is low, but you can still have a good conversation. The beautiful decor, the beautifully presented and served food, and the demeanor of the staff all make you feel at home. The restroom was clean, but also relatively cramped and small. There really couldn't be more than one person in the restroom. You certainly won't find Japanese Don Dining in many places, especially not at this level of quality. You shouldn't miss it.

Decent Japanese food, with nice atmosphere created by Woden interior. The price is high for the amount of food you get, but it’s that kind of restaurant where you get authentic drink and food

small place. Normally less crowded during the week. Delicious, simple food. Service was top notch.

Nice authentic-looking Japanese restaurant, which for once isn't a sushi place, but serves delicious don'ts!

A well managed restaurant with great service and authentic Japanese food. Everything is nicely prepared with quality ingredients, simple yet elegant! Matcha ice cream really stood out to me.

Experience 10/10. Good food, friendly staff, truly fantastic!

Very delicious kind staff cozy environment very authentic

Amazing food and service, very authentic as well

Nice little restaurant with a nice Japanese atmosphere.

I go there often, it's very delicious.

Friendly helpful waitresses, good food and delicious matcha ice cream

Quite a nice place outside of the Utrecht City Center. It is a small place and it is recommended to make a reservation. The service is really good. The food was not that good though. The prices doesn't make it better sadly. The sashimi was quite nice, but let's be honest, messing that up would be AND very hard AND just the mood setter of a very bad dining service afterwards. The Don thereafter was the Beef one. The beef was really chewy. In my opinion, that is just bad. The price would make me think I would get a good don or a very good don. It was neither. So overall the bill was quite expensive, but I didn't have a positive tasting experience. Maybe it was just that day. Who knows. For the same price I will either try other places or visit the ones I trust more.

I had a wonderful experience at this place. The staff were incredibly supportive and kind. The food was absolutely delicious. The atmosphere was very chill and cozy. Highly recommend for anyone looking to enjoy Japanese cuisine in a warm and friendly setting!

Amazing place. I came here the first time with my parents in 2022 and just went back a couple weeks ago for a graduation celebration. The food is of supreme quality, simple yet super flavorful and fresh. It is an authentic restaurant with perfect price/quality ratio. Still haven’t found a place this worth it in Amsterdam. I would recommend going here to EVERYONE. Truly a great place. We had gyoza, sake sashimi, takoyaki as starters. I then had a don with a selection of raw fish. As a dessert we had sesame mochi ice cream. 100% recommend please go if you are in Utrecht and have the chance.

Excellent food! You always need a reservation. Sometimes the efficiency of how they manage the turnover feels a little like you are on a conveyor belt, but I appreciate that they do what they can to fit as many customers as possible when their restaurant is so in demand. I find the tray of different toppings from which you can pick three a little gimmicky, and I think it ends up causing a "paradox of choice" (the idea that more options tend to leave people less happy with their choice). Highly recommend tare yakitori don and agedashi tofu. (The itawasa was not my taste.)

From surprisingly relaxed to bulk cooking. Pulling the most out of the tables (blocking off hours) leads to dry bites, large pieces and a lack of Japanese finesse. In other words, avoid.

Japanese restaurant in Utrecht, very good! We went with friends and all the dishes we tasted were really good. The dons are truly amazing, I would have eaten another portion after finishing mine just for gluttony! Friendly and professional staff, nice place, more could be done to really resemble the authentic ones in Japan. Good value for money.

One of my favorite restaurants in Utrecht. The service is very friendly and the food is very good. My favorites are: the squid balls as a starter and the Kaisen Don (with raw tuna) and the silken tofu Don. Recommended: drink one of the many sakes with it.

As always a wonderful experience: clean, pure, unspoiled and delicious food in a friendly and serene environment. Service with a smile – top, top, top!

It was a great experience. The staff guides you through the meal, how it's structured, the additions you can add, and how to eat it. The quality of the ingredients was great, and it all tastes great. The atmosphere was cosy, it didn't feel noisy or crowded.

Great restaurant, authentic experience and tasty food. Highly recommended.

What a great unforgettable experience! We really loved en enjoyed the ambience and the food. After diner we called our friends to recommend this place and set a new date.

Fantastic authentic Japanese eatery. Service was top notch and the food was delicious. Recommended if you want to try something new!

Great place to eat some clean, fresh and delicious Japanese food. Also the tea’s are very nice to complement the food.

Went to japan in Januari and this place gives me the same feeling. Great food, very authentic, fresh and not very expensive. Great service and nice atmosphere. Felt like, for an hour, I was back on holiday!

I really recommend this restaurant! The restaurant setting is very intimate and cozy but very refined. The food was served in very nice different plates/bowls as shown in the pictures. Quality of fish is excellent and the service is very professional and useful to guide clients through the don dining experience! We took as starters: edamame, vegetarian dumplings (no picture unfortunately, we ate them immediately - they were superb!) and the salmon sashimi (amazing!!). As main dish: a Kaisen don and a salmon sashimi don (which is not in the menu but you can ask for it - my boyfriend doesn’t like scallops). To finish we took matcha ice cream and vanilla mochis - the ice cream really surprised me for the intense taste which is perfect with the Oreos on the side; the vanilla mochis were really perfect!

Great, good business with nice service. Real authentic experience.

Exceptional atmosphere and food! I ordered a Kaisen Don and I love how it can be eaten in three different ways, it's like ordering three dishes in one. Wonderful! The appetizers are delicious too, especially the agedashi (fried tofu with broth).

Delicious food and very guest-oriented service. Recommended!

Great food! It only has Japanese food on the menu and only don as main course, which I think is really great.

We know food tastes are always subjective, but the good reviews to KOUNOSUKE confuses us because it's possibly one of the worst places we've eaten in all of The Netherlands. Following some recommendations, we ordered: - Agedashi tofu (Fried tofu in Japanese broth) The tofu was wrapped in a skin of something chewy, it didn't seem like they coated it with regular potato starch? Instead it tasted more as if someone took the easy route out and wrapped it in Vietnamese rice paper - if this helps you imagine the texture. - Dashimaki tamago (Japanese omelet) If you were expecting a soft, velvety, tasty omelet...then be prepared to be disappointed with KOUNOSUKE's definitely overcooked Japanese omelet. Top was rubbery and maybe the only saving grace was the touch of dashi. - Tonkatsu (Pork cutlet) Probably the only edible thing of the night. - Kaisen don (Seafood on a bed of rice) Now onto the biggest disappointment of our evening: KOUNOSUKE's donburi. The rice wasn't warm, didn't have even a drop of rice vinegar mixed in, and overall tasteless and bland. Seafood was alright, but we never got the scallops we were promised from the menu. Unlike most restaurants, you don't get any condiments (not even wasabi!) by default. Instead, the servers come to you with the tiniest portions of "toppings" and you can only pick 3 at a go. It's also not going to be enough for you to finish your plain rice bowl with, so they offer you a vegetable broth to drench your meal. Bad choice by the way, please don't pour the broth into your rice. For a restaurant that claims to specialize in donburi, this shocked us and we'd never left an establishment feeling sadder. We have no idea how they're so highly rated with a bunch of 5 star reviews, cause this would have never worked anywhere in Japan.

Very authentic and personal. Delicious appetizers and before you get your don you can choose from different toppings, very cute! I always recommend this place when people ask me where to eat in Utrecht.

My rate: 5/5 This restaurant is one of my favourite restaurants in Utrecht. I came back after long time but it didn't disappoint me. Sashimi salmon was a must try: thick fresh cut but melted in your mouth. Takoyaki was delicious and you could actually taste octopus. Tonkatsu and Karaage were nice as well. Last time their Dons didn't convince me but this time they were good. The rice was not so wet like last time. It's a small but cozy restaurant so you should book a table in advance. Highly recommended!

Super tasty food! I would go again in a heartbeat. Service is good and the atmosphere is very nice :)

Love the very personalized experience when picking meals. Also, matcha ice cream, heavenly.

Everything was so good. Highly recommend it.

Cozy Japanese restaurant which specializes on rice bowl dishes. The service is traditional and staff are nice. The ingredients are fresh and carefully prepared. The Karage (fried chicken) was crispy yet juicy inside. The Iberian pork Katsu was delicious and went well with the sides like the pickled ginger and yuzu. Needless to mention that their rice is of high quality and very delicious. They also have a Sake list which are served traditionally. The homemade matcha ice cream was to die for. All being said, the prices are a bit high, making this nice place a spot that you visit once a while for special occasion. Reservation in advance is needed.

Nice little restaurant with very tasty food.

Went here with a friend after a day of strolling around Utrecht. First of all, make sure to make a reservation, as it gets busy quiet fast. We orderered the: - Sencha tea (drink) - Salmon Sashimi (appetizer) - Gyushigure Don (main) - Yakinuki Don (main) The tea was served first it was delicious on this winter night😅 The salmon sashimi was really good, you can taste the freshness, easily 5/5⭐️ If I will ever come back again I might try the Salmon/Avocado mix. Then the mains. For the mains we were able to choose 3 'toppings'. So we went with pickled ginger, togarashi (I think), something with Yuzu that was quite spicy and some others(see pictures). The dons were good, tasted a lot better with the toppings and dashi that was served with it. The yakinuki meat is well seasoned, tender and ginger is evident in the taste. The gyushigure don was less intense but still very well-seasoned and I love the juices of meat mixed with the rice. Will gladly give it 4.5/5⭐️. The service was great, it was our first time and everything was well explained. All in all a good place, especially if you like Japanese food. I might be back for the kaisen don haha. ありがとう ございます!

Don Dining in Utrecht is located in a beautiful spot on the Oostkade, easily accessible by train or bike. The restaurant itself is small and cozy, with tables that are close together. This can create a cozy atmosphere, but sometimes feels a bit cramped. The service is excellent; the staff takes the time to explain the dishes well, which is certainly appreciated. The food is of high quality and tastes delicious, but the portions are on the small side. For a starter and main course you quickly pay between €40 and €45 per person, and then you are still not really full. In short, Don Dining is a nice place to try, especially if you are looking for a cozy evening and good quality food. But keep in mind the price and the somewhat smaller portions.

Nice restaurant interior, servants explain the options. But the food was quite bland. Small portions and overpriced. We had some first courses and this Japanese don. Which is basically a small hand of rice with 70 gram of beef filet or chicken. you’ll leave hungry….

Kounosuke Don Dining is an interesting experience - it combines an environment which feels authentically Japanese with food that is distinctly not. The interior is tastefully decorated, akin to a izakaya. For dinner we ordered three items, the Kaizen sashimi don, Iberico miso don and the karaage. While the karaage was extremely hot, it was missing the light crispy texture, with the batter soft and chewy. The iberico miso don has a nice miso flavor, but the katsu was extremely tough and not tenderized. The kaizen sashimi don interestingly did not have vinegar added to the rice. For the price of the food, we definitely had a different expectation for what we would have gotten. If you go without the expectation of having authentic Japanese food, you’ll have a good time.

Super delicious food 😍😍 nice service, everything was great.

Nice Japanese (?) flavors. Really tasty. Good explanation. Very friendly service. Price to quantity ratio is a bit skewed. Hence no five stars, even though the dishes themselves met expectations in terms of taste. We'll be back.

It was an amazing dining experience! Both the food and the service was so nice. I enjoyed it a lot especially the fish don!

The food is too expensive and not worth it. Service is good.

Small restaurant where everything is well done, from start to finish. Dishes are explained, ingredients feel authentic. Expect to spend 50 euros for a full meal. Yes, it is 20% more expensive than two years ago.

With high-quality food, kind staff, and an amazing atmosphere, this restaurant is perfect for an intimate dinner. There are also interesting traditional "rituals" of eating you can undergo, both for the Don rice bowls and the Sake. That being said, the prices are too high for me to eat here again, and most of the food itself—while interesting—could be eaten elsewhere, for cheaper.

Pleasantly surprised by this authentic Japanese restaurant in Utrecht. Although it is decorated like a restaurant, I think it is more of a luxury eatery. The 2 hour time slot ensures that you cannot dine for very long. We had a number of hot starters, don and desserts and were a bit short on time. Even though we really had to leave after 2 hours, this was done in a friendly manner. The service was fast and friendly. The dishes were truly Japanese and there was not one dish that was less tasty. We were also very surprised by the delicious mochis and macha ice cream. The price is also very reasonable for the quality.

Amazing place to eat. Great atmosphere with very friendly staff. They explain the dishes and Japanese customs around them, so even people unfamiliar with the concept still get the full Don experience. Oh and the food was delicious! One appetizer and a bowl each was more than enough for us. Make sure to reserve ahead as the place fills up quickly in the weekends. We will definitely be visiting again!

Delicious food, fantastic service and a very pleasant atmosphere. Highly recommended

Top! Authentic food, friendly service and pleasant atmosphere. Definitely recommended

It has been a wonderful surprise. The food is delicious and the service is impeccable. The girls are incredibly friendly and super sweet. We went for my boyfriend's birthday and as a surprise they gave us a dessert with a handmade paper crane 🥹❤️‍🩹 it was a very nice detail and of course we are going to return, both the two of us and with friends and family. A 20/10 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Made a reservation well in advance, but received an email from the restaurant the day before the visit asking if we would come, including a penalty clause of 25 euros per person in the event of a no-show. Not relaxed. We sat at the bar and watched wine glasses being refilled on a scale. Not relaxed. Finally, we were told to wrap up, because of time slots. Not relaxed. Everything else OK and dishes above average. Atmosphere is difficult to rate highly, as it is a bare-bones tent and atmosphere for the owner - in my opinion - is not a variable.

We booked at 16.30. There were only 2 tables taken when we arrived (the rest of the restaurant was free). The lady gave us the table closer to the door. Since it was cold and we wanted to sit more intimately, without having people standing behind us at the entrance, we asked to be moved to any of the other 10 free tables for 2. The waitress said that it was not possible and refused to explain further. We sit. Behind us, another couple and a single person were given the two tables located after our. Basically, a single person had a better table and dinner experience than us. This person could have been given our table and sat on the side far from the door, still having a good experience. Regarding the food, the beef was quite hard to chew. 23 euro for a bowl of rice, some broth and 5 slices of very hard beef is quite expensive, but I can understand that the Netherlands has very little to offer when it comes to good food, therefore there are still people willing to pay these prices. The karage and the takoiaki were good.

A lovely place near the train station with simple decor. The focus is on the food and service, which are both great. A good selection of Japanese staples, with some vegan additions. There are plenty of options for all courses.

Had a delicious meal here with my friend! Delicious dishes with lovely staff. We thought the sparkling sake was delicious!

Exceptional in every way. One of the best meals I’ve ever had. This place is Michelin Star worthy.

For a high-quality Japanese meal, friendly and fast (you get a time slot of 1.5 or 2 hours, so it is not possible to catch up extensively, but ideal if you have something else afterwards, such as a film at the Louis Hartlooper complex) . It's always full, so be sure to make a reservation!

Food are above average however quantity is a little less given the price charged are high. Service is friendly and nice.

Very traditional Japanese restaurant focused on donburi bowls and an authentic Japanese dining experience. They have instructions on the tables how to drink sake and how to eat the donburi bowls in the Japanese way. It’s pretty expensive though and a shame that the starters and sides are so tiny in portion. Also the restaurant is very small and crowded so it can feel a little claustrophobic. But the food was really nice, 8/10 would bring a friend to experience it again.

Authentic Japanese. Great service and handling.

Super good experience. The food is delicious. Is not a cheep place but the quality is totally worth it.

I loved it! Good prices, excellent service and the food amazing! Very authentic! 100% recommended

Don Kounosuke is definitely my favorite restaurant in Utrecht. The food is super tasty, the service is very friendly and good and it is quite an experience. I can definitely recommend Agedashi Tofu and Nasumiso Don!

New favorite restaurant in Utrecht :) Really great food and a nice cozy place!

This restaurant was sooo good! The staff was very helpful, the food was delicious and the atmosphere was just right!

Great Japanese restaurant, also for those who are not familiar with the food. Service was excellent

I don't have photos because I was enjoying the food 🙈 Everything very rich 🤤

great restaurant with delicious food and friendly staff! the only downside was that your table is available for 1.5 hours so we felt a little bit rushed but would definitely recommend!

Delicious, leaves you wanting more!