STORY (^) YIP JIEYING PHOTOS AIK CHEN
and casualwear on the second floor. According to its
chairman Takao Yasuda, the pricing for Don Don Donki
is about “10 to 20 per cent” more expensive compared
to Japan due to the higher operational costs here. But
if you do some smart shopping, some of the stuff here
is still cheaper than what you'd find at Mustafa and
Japanese supermarkets.
Come end of January next year, you can also grab a
bite at the affordable in-store “restaurant-food court”
called Hokkaido Marche — opened in partnership
with the eponymous food manufacturer. Order at their
eight self-service outlets and savour your nosh at the
communal seats. There’s also a now-open mini bar
serving cocktails, Japanese sake and whiskey. Don Don
Donki is planning to roll out another outlet at 100AM
mall in Tanjong Pagar by next June. And we are, um,
pleased to report, they still play their jingle on loop in
the store to get you in the Donki mood.
What
To Buy:
Watches
Mustafa used to be our go-to place for bargain
price watches, but Don Don Donki’s wares ain’t
shabby either. A range of Seiko watches which
might go for over $200 at the average watch shop
hovers at about $190 each here. Oh, and a basic
Casio plastic watch that costs around $15 in
Mustafa goes for just $9.90 at Donki.
8 DAYS | 67
GOOD
DEALS!
Mizkan Roasted
Sesame Sauce
The groceries at Donki
alone are worth the
trek to town: prices here
are even cheaper than your
neighbourhood supermarket
for selected items. At $3.90 a
bottle (bought at an Orchard
Road shop no less), this sesame
sauce lobang awoke the penny-
pinching auntie in us. An
identical bottle costs around
$7.90 at a typical supermarket
chain. We also saw large
squeeze bottles of Kewpie
mayonnaise going for $4.90
each.
Sakura Foods Hokkaido Ice
Cream
We usually get this for about $11.90 from the Isetan
supermarket; it is $6.90 here. Score! Donki will also
feature special retail sections with rotating themes.
Singapore's outlet starts off with a Hokkaido merch
corner, where you can buy stuff such as fancy boxed
confectionery treats, bags of dried Hokkaido lavender
and fresh produce like meat and cheesecakes from
the region.
Tarami Yogurt Dessert
These dessert cups loaded with fruits are ubiquitous
and under-$2 cheap at Japan’s convenience stores,
but unfortunately pricey once they’re imported into
Singapore. Donki sells ’em for just $1.90 each.
singke
(singke)
#1