Dondon - Lawrence

Pretty much one of my favorite places of all time. They're closing for good tomorrow, and I'm freaking heart broken. I'll miss you, Dondon.

Love their rice noodle bowls. I just wish they were open Sundays as well as it always seems that's when I crave it. Generally not very busy so service is quick. Interesting assortment of Japanese knick-knacks available for purchase as well.

Not only is the food great and hard to find, the decour makes being in the restraunt enjoyable, the employees love having guests and are kind, and their taste in music (player throughout the restraunt is perfect!

I love this restaurant. If I'm having a rough day I like to drop in and get some kitsune udon... always makes my day brighter. It is positively wonderful.

I'll admit I know absolutely nothing about Japanese food, I just know what I like, and I like this food! I'm primarily a vegetarian, so I don't know about the meat option, but the soup and rice options are yum yum! The prices were reasonable and the soups are quite filing. I usually get the Udon veggie soup with tofu. Udon noodles are like typical spaghetti, only 10 times as thick. The soup has some veggies in it along with strings of seawood and slices of fried tofu soaking in it. I was expecting cubes, but that's ok. Not a whole lot of it though, so those looking for protein need to supplement their meals The hidden treasure is the green tea. Seriously this stuff rocks. They make the tea bags by hand there and I can't quite get the recipe from them. It's kryponite green when it brews and it has hints of toasted rice in it. I'd go just for the tea alone. Unfortunately as another reviewer pointed out, only the tea here is green. Items are served primarily in styrofoam, but at least the bowls now they attempt to recycle. I hope they'll change their mind and choose more sustainable service items. Otherwise, the place is always spotless and the seating is coffee-shop style with stools and small tables that fit about four. Holds probably about 30 people total and it's along a strip mall. What I do know about Japanese food is the focus on umami: the salty satisfying taste we get from such things as soy sauce, MSG, and parmesan cheese. This is umami heaven so let your tongue bask in this fifth taste sensation.