The number of rice bowl shops opening up in Singapore in the last couple of months is significantly growing and among all the rice bowls out there, beef bowls are getting a lot of attention.
Beef bowl–also known as Gyudon–is a Japanese dish with thinly sliced beef on a bowl of rice, with a drizzle of light soy sauce on top. Beef bowls are really filling and appetising, and here is a list of the top 12 beef bowls that we love.
Read our newest guide on the 8 best wagyu donburi in Singapore
From the team behind The Hidden Chefs, Bok’s Kitchen is a homey cafe situated along Boon Lay Avenue that specialises in local delights. One of the star dishes at Bok’s Kitchen is the Beef Rice Bowl (S$12++), which was really juicy and flavourful. Accompanied with Italian spiced rice and sous vide egg cooked at precisely 63 degrees Celsius, this dish is absolutely perfect and appetising.
Blk 216 Boon Lay Avenue, #01-01
Singapore 640216
Tue to Fri: 11am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 9pm
Sat: 10am – 10pm
Sun: 10am – 9pm
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: Lakeside
CHALONG
Located conveniently beside Tanjong Pagar MRT Station, Chalong is a French and Thai inspired eatery that serves one of the best charcoal grilled meat bowls. Their Roast Beef Bowl (S$14) that consists of Japanese rice and onsen egg served together with garlic truffle oil is to die for. By smoking the meat with applewood enhances the flavour of the beef and the perfectly poached egg just adds a nice creamy touch to it.
Tanjong Pagar Centre B2-21
7 Wallich Street
Singapore 078884
Mon to Thu: 11.30am – 2pm, 5.30pm – 7.30pm
Fri: 11.30am – 2pm
(Closed on Saturdays & Sundays)
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar
Located at International Plaza, DOCO –which is derived from the words ‘donburi’ and ‘coconut’– is a no-frills, quick service place that serves hearty protein-packed rice bowls and refreshing coconut soft serve. The Sh-nack Don (S$8.90) came with a generous portion of peppery beef grilled to perfection, an onsen egg and a copious sprinkling of crispy cajun-spiced fish skin that added a smoky aroma to the whole dish.
10 Anson Road
#01-16 International Plaza
Singapore 079903
Tel: +65 9049 9926
Mon to Fri: 11am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 8pm
(Closed on Saturdays & Sundays)
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar
Fat Cow is one of the best steak restaurants in Singapore that serves an extensive amount of succulent and high-quality Japanese Wagyu beef from different parts of Japan. Fat Cow Premium Donburi (S$98++) is possibly the most expensive beef bowl on our list. Served on a bed of rice is a perfectly grilled slab of Wagyu steak accompanied by pan-seared chunks of creamy foie gras, uni, Ikura, caviar and an onsen egg. With so many premium ingredients in a bowl, it is definitely worth the price!
Camden Medical Centre #01-01/02,
1 Orchard Boulevard,
Singapore 248649
Tel: +65 6735 0308
Sun to Thu: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Orchard
KABUKE
Situated in the heart of Telok Ayer near Amoy Street Food Centre, Kabuke is a Japanese inspired bar that combines the art of kabuki (classical Japanese theatre) and Japanese sake. Their Gyudon (S$15) is classic and reasonably priced – with succulent beef slices topped with onsen egg and a drizzle of truffle shoyu add that tinge of saltiness that makes it so appetising.
200A Telok Ayer Street
Singapore 068638
Tel: +65 8822 5525
Mon to Thu: 11.30am – 2pm, 6pm – 11pm
Fri: 11.30am – 2pm, 6pm – 12am
Sat: 6pm – 10am
(Closed on Sundays)
Nearest Station: Telok Ayer
Maneko Japanese Restaurant is a cosy, 30-seater eatery that serves quick, fuss-free Japanese delights ranging from sashimi, donburi, and a huge selection of sides. Their Truffle Yakiniku Don (S$14.90) is definitely one of their must-try when you are there. Seared thoroughly to produce a beautiful caramelised crust whilst remaining pink in the middle, the beef was tender and tasty from start to finish.
227 Upper Thomson Road
Singapore 574359
Tel: +65 6909 5401
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Marymount
Although well known for their fresh oysters, Oyster Co also serves really good beef bowl as well. Their Beef Bowl (S$14++) is great for those who want to opt for something healthy that does not compromise on taste. The grilled beef was jam-packed with flavour with a subtle sweetness that went really well with the brown rice. Paired with runny sous vide egg, sautéed spinach and savoury mushrooms, this dish is great for those who are health conscious.
#01-06 Central Mall
1 Magazine Road
Singapore 059567
Tel: +65 9025 2524
Daily: 12pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Clarke Quay
PEPPER BOWL
Located at Amoy Street Food Centre, Pepper Bowl sells 3 different types of rice bowls with various protein cuts. You can choose from beef, pork and chicken but their signature item is the Black Pepper Beef Rice (S$5). Comes with thinly sliced beef and some greens, the black pepper beef was well seasoned and extremely tender. We recommend adding on an onsen egg (S$0.60) for the complete beef bowl experience.
7 Maxwell Rd, #02-102
Amoy Street Food Centre
Singapore 069111
Mon to Fri: 11am – 3pm
(Closed on Saturdays & Sundays)
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar
From the people behind Working Title and The Mad Sailors, Santap is a Muslim-owned café in Little India that serves really affordable rice bowls. Their Beef Rice Bowl (S$15) comes with various ingredients such as cherry tomatoes, corn, poached egg and tender strips of lean beef that had a smoky flavour to it. They also replaced traditional white rice with whole grain brown rice and cauliflower florets, which means that you get a healthy meal without compromising on the taste!
16 Madras Street
The Daulat
Singapore 208413
Tel: +65 8768 0460
Mon to Sat: 6pm – 9pm
(Closed on Sundays)
Nearest Station: Rochor
Located at Downtown Gallery, The Autobus is a bicycle-themed café that caters to cyclists passing through the CBD area. They serve really healthy salad and rice bowls, as well as bicycle equipment and apparel. You can customise your rice bowl to your liking and we got a base carb of quinoa, with Grilled Sirloin Steak topped with the Soy-Sesame dressing. The steak was cooked medium-rare and was incredibly tender which is perfect for steak fans.
6A Shenton Way
Downtown Gallery #01-01
Singapore 068815
Tel: +65 6909 3406
Mon to Fri: 8am – 9pm
Sat & Sun: 8am – 3pm
(Closed on Sunday)
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar
Photo Credit: The Sushi Bar
THE SUSHI BAR
The Sushi Bar is a small cosy restaurant that serves really good Japanese food at an affordable price. The Wagyu Don ($34.90) was packed with high-quality beef that was very tender and well seared. The meat was grilled to perfection and the meat simply melts in your mouth! They were really generous with their portion of beef and the sprinkle of fried garlic definitely added a kick to it.
391B Orchard Road #05-34/35
Ngee Ann City
Singapore 238874
Tel: +65 8818 3535
Daily: 11.30am – 9.45pm
Nearest Station: Orchard
**Multiple outlets islandwide
WAA COW!
If you are a student from NUS, you might have heard or tried the beef donburis at Waa Cow before, and the good news is that they have now expanded to the CBD area. Their Regular Aburi Wagyu Beef consists of premium Wagyu beef, house made Wagyu beef bone sauce, pickles, and an onsen egg topped with tobiko. The meat was really tender and it glides down your throat effortlessly. Packed with so much goodness in a bowl, this dish was absolutely filling and cow-forting!
2 College Avenue West
#01-06 NUS UTown
Singapore 138607
Tel: +65 8168 8777
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 8.30pm
Sat: 12pm – 2.30pm
Nearest Station: Dover
**Multiple outlets islandwide