I recently realised that I’ve actually consumed an alarming amount of beef bowls over some time, and so my immediate response to that was ‘Hey! I should do a blog post about it’ (sorry cows…). And so here is my little comparison post of 11 different types of beef bowls you can find in Singapore, from the everyday pocket friendly ones to the occasional indulgence.

I’m going to sort it by price, from lowest to highest, and then list my favourite 3 at the end, so… read on!

1. Roast Beef Don – Kazu Kazu (S$12.80 Nett)

This is a new donburi stall at Platform M, one of those ‘atas’ food court places that are now pretty trendy, at SingPost Centre. While the Roast Beef Donburi was quite average, I thought that it offered good value for its price (lowest on the list here!) and was able to provide me with a satisfied feeling.

I also especially like it because it has lots of salad leaves, a proper runny egg and beef that was actually not overcooked.

Kazu Kazu
Platform M, SingPost Centre
10 Eunos Road 8, #02-138/139/140/141/142
Nearest MRT: Paya Lebar

2. Truffle Short Rib Bowl – Grillo (S$14.90 Nett)

This was actually really forgettable. Don’t quite remember how it tastes like as I had it some time ago, but I do remember not being particularly impressed.

I think the beef was not bad but the rice was a bit dry, but it’s probably decent for the price.

Grillo [Apparently it has closed down…]
Pasarbella, Suntec City
#01-455 North Wing, Suntec City 3 Temasek Blvd
Nearest MRT: Esplanade/Promenade

3. Wagyu Rump Cap and Iberico Pork Cheeks Don – The Burning Oak (S$16 + $6 for ikura, Nett)

I was really looking forward to trying the Beef Tenderloin with Uni, Ikura and Onsen Egg here that I saw on Instagram, but it turned out that they no longer serve this dish.

So I had the wagyu and iberico pork twin bowl instead (kind of regretted and wished that I went for the best selling one with truffle minced beef but anyway). The sauce tasted a little Asian (soy based?), and the beef was quite tasty and tender, but I found the pork a little bit dry.

If I lived around there I might want to give it another shot, but it’s really a little out of the way to just drop by again (unless coming from the airport, probably).

The Burning Oak
348 Bedok Road
Bedok Marketplace, #02-16
Nearest MRT: Tanah Merah

4. Truffle Yakiniku Don – Tanuki Raw (S$18++ up to S$30++, depending on what add-ons you choose)

I’ve had this a few times and it’s one of those that you can keep going back to for a fairly guaranteed satisfying meal. The beef slices are melt in your mouth and the rice moist and fragrant, and the runny egg… is just a blast when mixed in with everything.

I go for the one with foie gras when I’m in the mood for some “luxury”, as the creamy, rich liver really amps up every bite of the beef, rice and sauce.

Tanuki Raw
Orchard Central / National Design Centre
181 Orchard Road / 111 Middle Road
#04-01 / #01-05
Nearest MRT: Somerset / Bugis or Bras Basah

5. Australian Wagyu Don – Flaming Don (S$19.90+, taxes)

Very garlicky, so if you’re a vampire this isn’t for you. But seriously, their garlic game is strong. The beef was decent – a tad bit on the dry side but enjoyable enough – and I also really liked the crunchy garlic chips and runny egg.

They provide a range of sauces to drizzle on your rice + free flow miso soup at an additional $2.90. There are many other more pocket friendly bowl options (chicken, fish, pork etc) here to check out too.

Flaming Don
Bugis Plus
201 Victoria Street, #05-02
Nearest MRT: Bugis

6. Wagyu Roast Beef Bowl – Sandaime Bunji (S$19.90++ at lunch and S$24.90++ at dinner)

This is perfect for people with big appetites (i.e. me) – a mountain of nicely medium done roasted beef slices. Top them with a bit of wasabi and rice and you’ve got a seriously delicious mouthful there. I’ve had this three times and would have it again!

Not for people who are expecting hot, cooked beef though – this is more of the room temperature beef sliced from a roast variety.

Sandaime Bunji
Millenia Walk
9 Raffles Boulevard, #01-14/15
Nearest MRT: Promenade / Esplanade

7. Aburi Wagyu Beef Bowl + Truffle – Waa Cow (S$19.90++, +$3++ for the truffle)

This was a bit of a different style of beef bowl, with a paste added on top of the beef instead of the usual truffle oil or sauce. Overall an enjoyable meal, though I wished the beef was a little less cooked and that the paste was a bit stronger.

(I enjoyed the Aburi Salmon bowl a lot more, but think that’s a story for another day!)

Waa Cow!
Raffles Xchange / NUS U-Town
5 Raffles Place / 2 College Ave West #01-06
#B1-63 / #01-06
Nearest MRT: Raffles Place / Dover or One North
Mojo Bowl
204 Telok Ayer St
Nearest MRT: Telok Ayer/Tanjong Pagar

8. Flaming Japanese Wagyu Beef Bowl – Butcher’s Kitchen (S$23.90++)

The fire may be a little gimmicky, but I was impressed with the way the guy handled the blowtorch and flames (looks real hot!), and surprised that there was actually a difference in the taste.

There was a slight charred taste and fragrance of cognac to the beef, which was rather pleasing. However I thought the portion of beef was kind of small (maybe I’m comparing to Sandaime Bunji though, which might be slightly unfair) – as there were only around 4 to 5 slices (must admit, they were quite big) and the meat itself though tender was a little bit lacking in flavour.

The Butcher’s Kitchen
Suntec City
7 Temasek Boulevard, #02-472
Nearest MRT: Esplanade or Promenade

9. Foie Gras & Grilled Beef Ribeye – Mojo Bowl (S$25++)

Beef + foie gras, sinful much? But oh so good.

The slices of beef were beautifully marbled and tender and every time I have this bowl (okay, only twice I think), I really don’t want the food to finish. Just so that I can savour it a little longer. For me, the foie gras could’ve done with a little more time in the pan though maybe (a little too soft inside).

Anyway, this is something I would go back for.

Mojo (they serve healthy food in the day!)
204 Telok Ayer Sreet
Nearest MRT: Telok Ayer or Tanjong Pagar

10. Truffle Wagyu Don – Izy (S$38++)

A beef bowl with real truffle shavings on top, mmm. The flavour in real truffle is a lot more subtle than the synthetically produced oils and pastes though, so if you’re a total plebeian like me and sorta prefer the stronger, richer taste of the cheaper versions, then this might not be for you.

The beef was nicely done and tender and overall this bowl was rather delicious. More for people who prefer the cooked sort of beef though.

Izy
27 Club Street
Nearest MRT: Telok Ayer or Chinatown

11. Premium Wagyu All-In-One Don – Black Cow (S$85++)

If indulgence were a dish, it might look like this. A luxe bowl full of premium ingredients – perfect medium rare wagyu beef from Joshu, Japan, chunks of fatty, tasty foie gras, supremely umami uni, caviar, and the very important garlic chips and onsen egg. Oh and truffles, definitely truffles.

It’s almost like cheating – because just placing all these amazing components together in the same bowl is simply all that is required to serve up a delicious tasting meal. And that is kind of what they did… Yums.

Black Cow
B1-20 South Beach Avenue
26 South Beach Road
Nearest MRT: Esplanade or Raffles City

So in summary, my favourites are:

• Black Cow’s Premium Wagyu All-In-One Don (but I can’t have it too often because it’ll break the bank)
• Sandaime Bunji’s Roast Beef Bowl (something that I can have more often when I crave beef)
• Mojo Bowl’s Foie Gras and Grilled Beef Ribeye (when I want to have tender, medium rare, melt-in-your-mouth beef)

Beef bowls I have yet to try but are on my TO-EAT list:

• The Wagyu Donburi at Fat Cow
• Saga Beef Donburi from Tamashii Robataya
• The Gyudon from Gyu Don at Amoy Food Centre
• Ribeye & Truffle Gourmet Rice Bowl at Platypus Kitchen
• Gyuniku Donburi at The Refinery

Know of more beef bowls I most certainly need to put in my mouth? Leave me a comment below!

Hope this also helps to give you some inspiration when the craving for beef strikes. 😊