A New Place for Dons

CEBU, Philippines – In Japanese cuisine, the donburi - at times referred to as the don - holds a special place. The rice bowl dish embodies what many have come to call "rice-topping meals."

From the pork katsudon to the pork sukiyakidon, which is not yet common in Cebu, the list of Japanese dons is populated by a vast variety of fish, meat and vegetable-based combinations - some served with poached eggs; others prepared with add-on ingredients such as noodles, chopped nori (dried seaweed), diced negi (spring onions) or diced toro (fatty tuna).

A number of Japanese restos in Cebu have been serving rice-bowl dishes to customers - bringing different don varieties to the table.

Just recently, on July 31, a place that specializes in serving Japanese meals has opened in the city - a new place for dons. The Japanese convenience store chain FamilyMart now has branches located at the Arc One Capitol Square on Escario, Streetscape along Maria Luisa Road in Banilad and at eBloc Towers 1, 2 and 3 in Cebu IT Park. These stores serve on-the-go meals that go beyond ramen varieties, 'silog' combos and delectable desserts.

Offering dons such as the oyakodon (chicken, egg and diced spring onions), kastu curry don (pork curry), and teriyaki chicken don (teriyaki-style chicken), FamiyMart is more than a place where to shop for convenience-store fare, as its selection of meals are also choice picks - aside from the fact that these are not served at other places in its category.

Apart from dons, FamilyMart also carries Japanese cuisine mainstays such as California maki rolls, beef pepper rice plates, ramen and tempura varieties and more. Needless to say, the store also has a diverse selection of other 'convenience' items, Japanese-branded items included.

To those with a penchant for Japanese culinary fare, FamilyMart Cebu has a lot to offer to sate gastronomic fancies.