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Restaurant

Don Tojo

164 Cardigan St, Carlton VIC 3053, Australia

Recommended by 57 people

Updated

Find Don Tojo

164 Cardigan St, Carlton VIC 3053, Australia

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HoursMonday: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM Thursday: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM Friday: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM Saturday: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM Sunday: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About Don Tojo

Cardigan Street’s stripped-back shokudo drops heaping rice bowls onto tables in under five minutes—zero wallet strain required. UniMelb cohorts and twenty-year regulars pack the room for the kitchen speed and hefty portions. Steaming rice comes buried under thick chicken curry, sukiyaki beef, or fresh salmon slices stacked alongside tangy pickles and tofu.

  • Sub-$15 budget plates: Multi-dish bento sets and meat-heaped donburi bowls reliably check out under $15 in Carlton.
  • Minutes-flat service: Kitchen tickets clear in two to five minutes, keeping lines moving fast even at peak lunch hours.
  • Campus-staple staying power: A long-standing local fixture keeping the exact same high-volume energy and comfort plates for years.
RestaurantJapaneseRestaurant

What's On at Don Tojo

Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Don Tojo Delivers Carlton's Ultimate Everyday Feed

From lightning-fast two-minute service to inflation-defying rice bowls under $15, book your spot to experience Carlton's definitive Japanese comfort meal.

  • Complete Japanese Meals Under $15

    Generous bento boxes and donburi loaded with beef, chicken, or sashimi are consistently priced under $15, delivering remarkable dining value in Carlton.

    Everything on their menu is under $15 for a meal.

    Keven Luan

  • Substantial Portions That Satisfy Everyday Budgets

    Heaping donburi bowls packed with protein and rice provide a hearty meal without skimping on rich Japanese curries or fresh cuts.

    Huge portions for a low price. The quality/taste to price per meal ratio already makes it worth it.

    Mustafa Adamjee

  • Nostalgic Campus-Era Dining Traditions

    A beloved local institution where alumni and long-time regulars return to relive their university dining memories through unchanged dishes and lively campus energy.

    I wanted to taste my uni days again, so I popped into Don Tojo for an after work dinner and of course it was filled with uni students, which gave it a really fun vibe.

    The Moistmaker

  • Reliable Comfort That Keeps Wallets Intact

    Spanning over fifteen years of consistent quality, generous meat servings, and wallet-friendly checks, diners enjoy genuine financial reassurance and comfort.

    15 years and still great. A meal here always brighten up my day while keeping my wallet from breaking during uni.

    Kanta Sirisriro

  • Lightning-Fast Two-Minute Kitchen Prep

    Lines disappear almost instantly as the kitchen dishes out steaming hot takeaway and dine-in bowls within two minutes of ordering.

    And I don’t know how they do it, but the delicious food you ordered will be ready within 2 minutes for you to eat in or take away.

    John

  • Five-Minute Sit-Down Turnaround

    Diners barely settle into their seats before freshly prepared donburi and cold drinks hit the table, making it the ideal meal stop on a tight timeline.

    I ordered food, sat down and received my order within 5 mins, no exaggeration.

    Tyson Stevens

From multi-dish bento boxes to lightning-fast donburi bowls, secure your table and dive into Carlton's favourite everyday Japanese staples.

  • Don Don Box

    My absolute favourite is the Don Don Box. It's a complete meal with 2 meats (chicken teriyaki and sukiyaki beef), rice, salad and fruit for dessert. Every element is prepared perfectly and an absolute joy to eat.

    Tina Tran

  • Salmon Sashi Don

    I don't think I've ever had food presented that pretty before either, especially considering it was take away, and it totally surpassed my expectations on taste - fresh salmon and salad, really tasty dressing and amazing pickles, tofu and other accompaniments.

    Ashley Groeneweg

  • Chicken Curry Don

    Got a big bowl of Chicken Curry Don, delicious, filled me up completely, and only $13.50. Can’t get cheap eats like that anymore these days.

    Mustafa Adamjee

  • Tofu and Avocado Salad

    The tofu and avocado salad was delicious.

    Catherine Tran

Frequently Asked Questions

How fast does the food come out?

Meals are served almost instantly—often within two to five minutes of ordering—meaning lines out the door move rapidly and orders arrive hot without long waits.

What are the portion sizes and prices like?

Dishes like chicken curry don, salmon sashi don, and the Don Don box are hearty, filling, and generally priced under $15, offering generous meat and rice servings.

Can you dine in or should you plan for takeaway?

Dine-in seating is available, but space can be cozy and limited during peak university lunch hours, so taking away your meal is a common alternative.

Are there gluten-free or dietary-friendly options available?

Yes. Staff can explain gluten-free meal options upon request, and dishes such as the tofu and avocado salad are offered.

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