Best Budget Chirashi: $20 & Under

The idea of thick and fresh slices of sashimi sitting vibrantly atop a bed of sushi rice is something we find hard to resist. Chirashi don has grown to be a popular option at Japanese restaurants in Singapore – some a cheap disappointment, others reserved for the very occasional splurge. With the concern for price in mind, we’ve put together a list of our favourite Chirashi dons around, narrowed down to the best ones that will cost you less than $20.

1. Kaisendon - Teppei Syokudo ($16)

The Teppei group’s first and only takeaway venture, Teppei Syokudo, first opened at Takashimaya and offers a similar version of their wildly popular Barachirashi Don – Kaisendon ($16). What we love about this happiness-in-a-bowl is mainly the ridiculously generous amounts of cubed and marinated sashimi. Although some people prefer their sashimi without the added seasoning, we love Teppei’s special marinade which gives this don an extra oomph. Teppei Syokudo, Takashimaya, 391 Orchard Road Basement 2, Singapore 238873 (Image: Peh Yi Wen)

2. Barachirashi Don – Tanuki Raw ($17.80, lunch set)

With a surge of their donburi filling up your Instagram newsfeed, you might be wondering just how good these Tanuki Raw rice bowls are. They serve two different chirashi dons – one being the classic with sliced sashimi, the other a Barachirashi Don ($17.80, lunch set), which we prefer. Cubes of fresh scallops, swordfish, tuna, salmon, sea bream, striped jack, ikura and tamago are generously served on top of their seasoned Japanese rice. Although some might find the combination odd, it actually works well together! Tanuki Raw, Orchard Central, 181 Orchard Road #02-03, Singapore 238896 (Image: Author's own)

3. Sakura Don – Itacho Sushi ($9.90)

Itacho Sushi offers fresh sushi and sashimi at a fraction of most other Japanese restaurants here in Singapore. It is no wonder that their outlets are always packed with hordes of customers. We love their lunch special – Sakura Don ($9.90). Yup, you heard us right, this bowl costs below $10 and comes with a side of miso soup. What surprised us most was the generous portioning that left us satisfied after. Itacho Sushi, ION Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn #B3-20, Singapore 238801 (Image: Author's own)

4. Bara Kaisendon - Sumiya ($18.80)

If we had to just pick one from this list, this is the holy grail. Tossed generously in sesame sauce, the sashimi cubes of salmon, maguro and hamachi are paired up with chunks of fresh avocado and topped off with tobiko and ikura. The Bara Kaisendon ($18.80, lunch set) comes with a side of yuzu-dressed greens, chawanmushi, pickled vegetables, miso soup and a matcha mochi. You can switch up your steamed rice for sushi rice, which we recommend as it pairs up better with the fresh sashimi. Sumiya Charcoal Grill Izakaya, Orchard Central, 181 Orchard Road #12-02, Singapore 238896 (Image: Author's own)

5. Chirashi Don – Koji Sushi ($17)

This cosy little sushi bar at China Square offers simple and unpretentious Japanese fare. The inexpensive range here includes the Chirashi Don ($17), which is topped off with cubes of fresh sashimi on a bed of sushi rice. The bowl is then finished off with sprinkles of tempura flakes and jelly fish strips, a unique twist to the traditional version. Koji Sushi, Nankin Row, 3 Pickering St #01-42, Singapore 048660 (Image: Bernard Tan)

6. Chirashi Don – Babette ($19)

Served over plain Japanese Niigata rice, Babette’s Chirashi Donburi ($19) is a photogenic bowl of colourful assorted sashimi and vegetables. The use of cucumber and carrots with the raw fish to create textural diversity is genius, but might be an acquired taste to others. Marinated with a soy dressing, the fresh sashimi cubes go perfectly with the otherwise tasteless rice. This donburi is one of the more pocket-friendly options of Babette’s offerings. Babette, Parc Sovereign Hotel,165 Tyrwhitt Road, Singapore 207569 (Image: Kaeting Yong)

7. Chirashi Don - The Tuckerbox Lunch ($8.80)

Newly opened near the Central Business District, The Tuckerbox Lunch serves bento-style takeaway lunch sets with a limited seating space. They have three types of Chirashi Dons, which are all extremely affordable. The Standard (pictured) costs a mere $8.80, almost half the price of most chirashi dons on this list. And in case you were wondering, The Tuckerbox Lunch is now open for dinner too. The Tuckerbox Lunch, 4 Amoy St Singapore 049947 (Image: The Tuckerbox Lunch's Facebook page)

8. Kaisen Don – Sushi Tei ($16.80)

Sushi Tei has been around for as long as we can remember. Their standard Kaisen Don retails for $16.80 and comes topped to the brim with a dollop of ikura, assorted sashimi and cooked tamago slices. For their current seasonal menu, which started in early March, a special Bara Kaisen Don ($16.80) has also been introduced. For this, the don is topped with cubed sashimi and edamame. Sushi Tei, VivoCity, 1 Harbourfront Walk #02-152, Singapore 098585 (Image: Openrice user, angliptak)

9. Kaisendon – Woshuku Goen ($9.80)

With JJ.com Fish Mart at Vivo City closing down, another option to satisfy your chirashi craving will be to have this Kaisendon ($9.80) at Woshuku Goen, Food Republic. However, they only serve 10 bowls a day so go early if you’re planning on having this. This simple Kaisendon ($9.80) is topped with marinated salmon and tuna and is portioned just right for one person. Woshuku Goen also has other affordable offerings such as the Mentaiko Cream Udon ($5.80), but we suggest going straight for the delicious Kaisendon. Woshuku Goen, VivoCity, 1 Harbourfront Walk #03-01 Stall 23, Singapore 098585 (Image: Peh Yi Wen) See Also: Love sushi and sashimi? Check out our listing here! Japanese restaurants you have to try

Written by Cheryl Chong