I ate a salmon dish here, and I felt unwell afterward, including having diarrhea throughout the day. I was concerned about the overall condition of the food. I hope more attention is given to hygiene and ingredient handling in the future.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 2
Emily Liu
This place was really good bang for its buck. For $20 ish for the meal and unlimited side dishes and ice cream I would say this was well worth the price. I got the Gyudon and I actually loved it the flavour was pretty good and my partner got the hamachi don, which was also pretty well flavoured. For the side dishes; I quite liked the miso soup and liked how you can adjust the amount of seaweed / scallions you add. The takoyaki was decent for a buffet styled one. I thought the raddish kimchi was good. The cucumber was not as good as I thought it would be (a bit soft and under seasoned), the kimchi also was not as flavourful as I thought either. The fish cakes were good. I also liked the ice cream.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Chill Guy
Good price. Amazing salmon don
Yara Daou
Honestly one of my favourite restaurants! Aburi Salmon don is my favorite dish there! (Recommended, also adding an egg yolk turns it up a notch!!) They also have other great choices like karaage don! And they now have a mini buffet which is even better!! Makes me wanna go more lol. Prices are worth it, trust me.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Cess Yu
Got yakiniku don and salmon aburi don for $28 each including access to mini buffet. Both donburi were good. I like the ayce miso soup, sides, and ice cream.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lovepreet Aulakh
Worst restaurant can’t even give Gn lass of water for free.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
EV Palisoc
We came here by recommendation, and we weren't disappointed!
Very simple and pleasant decor, clean and inviting.
The menu was clear, and had fantastic choice. With the buffet, our meals were more than satisfying!
Needless to say, we'll make this a regular spot for us. There was already a good line building to be seated as we left.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Carol F
You Don Ya, located near Bay and Dundas, has undergone a transformation in its service model by introducing an unlimited buffet option to its menu. This change has attracted a decent crowd, particularly appealing to the local student demographic by TMU. The restaurant's new structure offers a great value alongside the enticing selection of rice bowls available.
We ordered the Tempura, Butabara Don (pork belly) and the Aburi Salmon Don. The Butabara Don, which was previously on the menu as the Bacon Steakie Don, maintains a consistent flavour and delicious marinated pork belly. The Aburi Salmon Don, served in an exceptionally hot bowl, has a generous portion of seared Atlantic salmon paired with mayo, tobiko, and seaweed flakes mixed into the rice, which resulted in a tasty combination.
In addition to the rice bowls, You Don Ya provides an array of sauces and add-ons, such as egg yolk, hot spring egg, and mozzarella cheese, allowing customers to customize their donburi to their liking. The buffet alone is substantial enough to leave customers satisfied, with the option to pack their rice bowls/entrees as takeout.
The buffet offerings are extensive, featuring steamed white rice, miso soup, a salad bar, fried items, assorted pickled sides, seasonal fruits, and desserts like ice cream. With a minimum purchase of $20 for a rice bowl, customers can enjoy the buffet free of charge, or opt to pay for it separately.
Visually, the restaurant has brightened up since its restructure and can accommodate a significant number of guests, with an influx of customers on the day of our visit. The staff is very detailed-oriented for their swift service, efficiently clearing tables and replenishing buffet items.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Foodie Yin
On our very first night in Toronto, we stumbled upon YOU DON YA, and it turned out to be such a happy discovery. The food was absolutely delicious and the portions were incredibly generous. For the quality and quantity you get, the value is amazing, honestly so much cheaper compared to London.
I ordered the Yakiniku Fire Don for $28 and added two onsen eggs at $2 each. The beef was full of flavour, nicely grilled and very satisfying, and the eggs added a lovely richness to the dish. We also tried the Gyu-Tan Don for $26, which was a real highlight, the beef tongue was tender, well-seasoned and cooked beautifully.
We also shared the Pepper Tuna Tataki for $13, which was fresh, lightly peppered and very well balanced.
What really makes this place stand out is the mini buffet, which is included with every donburi. There’s steamed rice, a fresh salad bar, assorted appetisers and pickles, daily fried items, miso soup, plus seasonal fruits and desserts. Everything was well prepared and topped up regularly, and it felt incredibly good value for money.
We left feeling full, happy and very impressed. A fantastic start to our time in Toronto, great food, huge portions and excellent value. Would definitely come back again.
Oh my god, this is hands down the best donburi I’ve ever had — easily Top 1 in Toronto for me.
Every single item was delicious, not a single miss. I was genuinely so happy while eating — you can really taste the quality and care in the food.
On top of that, when you order one rice bowl, you get access to a free mini buffet with so many great options, which is incredibly generous.
Amazing food, amazing service, and such great value. This place is thoughtful, generous, and absolutely worth coming back for. Highly, highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sophia
The portion sizes are huge! Especially the Karaage Don that was $25.99 with tax. I love their mini buffet as it is such a wonderful inclusion for buying one Don Buri! Make sure you come here on an empty stomach because of the portion sizes.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Bonnie Elena
Great Japanese son restaurant with all you can eat self serve salad/ appetizer bar
Clean restaurant, great service, LLBO
Food was delicious and came fast. My salmon don bowl was nice and hot.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Matt L Yan
Great flavors for meat/rice bowls and side dish buffet is a perk.
Came at noon on a Tuesday, restaurant was decently filled but was seated and ordered promptly. Staff are nice and can accomodate your needs.
Ordered the gyudon (cheapest option at $20), all the main dishes come with the complimentary side dish buffet, or you can do the buffet by itself for $20.
The gyudon itself was decent, beef had good flavors and rice was properly seasoned. The beef was a on the leaner side and portion size was a little small however the side dishes fill you up. You have the options of miso soup, takoyaki, croquettes, pickled veggies, fish cake, and ice cream. Forgot to capture but the takoyaki was decent, had actual pieces of octopus which was a plus. Croquettes had potato, peas, and carrots and were overall nicely done. I recommend going with the spicy mayo as it pairs well with the fried food. Pickled red peppers is also my favorite Japanese side dish!
Overall, great value when considering the side dish buffet but some meals can be slightly more expensive than the average.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Salad, Soup, Sauce
Santiago Lievano
I used to love this place and have been going regularly for the last 3 years. At one point (before this week), I would even name it as one of my favourite restaurants, and a special place for me. My favourite item is the chicken cutlet which is sold as a side dish. However, this week, we went and were told that we could not order only side dishes and had to order a don (which has had the price raised to include a buffet that nobody asked for). We did not want the buffet. We did not want the don. We wanted to order the side dishes they offered on the menu. Instead, the server who claimed to be the manager rudely told us that we could not do that. The question then becomes, why have side dishes on the menu at all??
Ultimately, we left and went and had food at a restaurant that was actually interested in selling it.
It's a shame, they have good food. But they should focus on selling customers the food they want instead of making them pay for food they don't want.
Genuinely the best seared salmon I ever had
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I ate a salmon dish here, and I felt unwell afterward, including having diarrhea throughout the day.
I was concerned about the overall condition of the food.
I hope more attention is given to hygiene and ingredient handling in the future.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 2
This place was really good bang for its buck. For $20 ish for the meal and unlimited side dishes and ice cream I would say this was well worth the price. I got the Gyudon and I actually loved it the flavour was pretty good and my partner got the hamachi don, which was also pretty well flavoured. For the side dishes; I quite liked the miso soup and liked how you can adjust the amount of seaweed / scallions you add. The takoyaki was decent for a buffet styled one. I thought the raddish kimchi was good. The cucumber was not as good as I thought it would be (a bit soft and under seasoned), the kimchi also was not as flavourful as I thought either. The fish cakes were good. I also liked the ice cream.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Good price. Amazing salmon don
Honestly one of my favourite restaurants! Aburi Salmon don is my favorite dish there! (Recommended, also adding an egg yolk turns it up a notch!!) They also have other great choices like karaage don! And they now have a mini buffet which is even better!! Makes me wanna go more lol. Prices are worth it, trust me.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Got yakiniku don and salmon aburi don for $28 each including access to mini buffet. Both donburi were good. I like the ayce miso soup, sides, and ice cream.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Worst restaurant can’t even give Gn lass of water for free.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
We came here by recommendation, and we weren't disappointed!
Very simple and pleasant decor, clean and inviting.
The menu was clear, and had fantastic choice. With the buffet, our meals were more than satisfying!
Needless to say, we'll make this a regular spot for us. There was already a good line building to be seated as we left.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
You Don Ya, located near Bay and Dundas, has undergone a transformation in its service model by introducing an unlimited buffet option to its menu. This change has attracted a decent crowd, particularly appealing to the local student demographic by TMU. The restaurant's new structure offers a great value alongside the enticing selection of rice bowls available.
We ordered the Tempura, Butabara Don (pork belly) and the Aburi Salmon Don. The Butabara Don, which was previously on the menu as the Bacon Steakie Don, maintains a consistent flavour and delicious marinated pork belly. The Aburi Salmon Don, served in an exceptionally hot bowl, has a generous portion of seared Atlantic salmon paired with mayo, tobiko, and seaweed flakes mixed into the rice, which resulted in a tasty combination.
In addition to the rice bowls, You Don Ya provides an array of sauces and add-ons, such as egg yolk, hot spring egg, and mozzarella cheese, allowing customers to customize their donburi to their liking. The buffet alone is substantial enough to leave customers satisfied, with the option to pack their rice bowls/entrees as takeout.
The buffet offerings are extensive, featuring steamed white rice, miso soup, a salad bar, fried items, assorted pickled sides, seasonal fruits, and desserts like ice cream. With a minimum purchase of $20 for a rice bowl, customers can enjoy the buffet free of charge, or opt to pay for it separately.
Visually, the restaurant has brightened up since its restructure and can accommodate a significant number of guests, with an influx of customers on the day of our visit. The staff is very detailed-oriented for their swift service, efficiently clearing tables and replenishing buffet items.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
On our very first night in Toronto, we stumbled upon YOU DON YA, and it turned out to be such a happy discovery. The food was absolutely delicious and the portions were incredibly generous. For the quality and quantity you get, the value is amazing, honestly so much cheaper compared to London.
I ordered the Yakiniku Fire Don for $28 and added two onsen eggs at $2 each. The beef was full of flavour, nicely grilled and very satisfying, and the eggs added a lovely richness to the dish. We also tried the Gyu-Tan Don for $26, which was a real highlight, the beef tongue was tender, well-seasoned and cooked beautifully.
We also shared the Pepper Tuna Tataki for $13, which was fresh, lightly peppered and very well balanced.
What really makes this place stand out is the mini buffet, which is included with every donburi. There’s steamed rice, a fresh salad bar, assorted appetisers and pickles, daily fried items, miso soup, plus seasonal fruits and desserts. Everything was well prepared and topped up regularly, and it felt incredibly good value for money.
We left feeling full, happy and very impressed. A fantastic start to our time in Toronto, great food, huge portions and excellent value. Would definitely come back again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Oh my god, this is hands down the best donburi I’ve ever had — easily Top 1 in Toronto for me.
Every single item was delicious, not a single miss. I was genuinely so happy while eating — you can really taste the quality and care in the food.
On top of that, when you order one rice bowl, you get access to a free mini buffet with so many great options, which is incredibly generous.
Amazing food, amazing service, and such great value. This place is thoughtful, generous, and absolutely worth coming back for. Highly, highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The portion sizes are huge! Especially the Karaage Don that was $25.99 with tax. I love their mini buffet as it is such a wonderful inclusion for buying one Don Buri! Make sure you come here on an empty stomach because of the portion sizes.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great Japanese son restaurant with all you can eat self serve salad/ appetizer bar
Clean restaurant, great service, LLBO
Food was delicious and came fast. My salmon don bowl was nice and hot.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Great flavors for meat/rice bowls and side dish buffet is a perk.
Came at noon on a Tuesday, restaurant was decently filled but was seated and ordered promptly. Staff are nice and can accomodate your needs.
Ordered the gyudon (cheapest option at $20), all the main dishes come with the complimentary side dish buffet, or you can do the buffet by itself for $20.
The gyudon itself was decent, beef had good flavors and rice was properly seasoned. The beef was a on the leaner side and portion size was a little small however the side dishes fill you up. You have the options of miso soup, takoyaki, croquettes, pickled veggies, fish cake, and ice cream. Forgot to capture but the takoyaki was decent, had actual pieces of octopus which was a plus. Croquettes had potato, peas, and carrots and were overall nicely done. I recommend going with the spicy mayo as it pairs well with the fried food. Pickled red peppers is also my favorite Japanese side dish!
Overall, great value when considering the side dish buffet but some meals can be slightly more expensive than the average.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Salad, Soup, Sauce
I used to love this place and have been going regularly for the last 3 years. At one point (before this week), I would even name it as one of my favourite restaurants, and a special place for me. My favourite item is the chicken cutlet which is sold as a side dish. However, this week, we went and were told that we could not order only side dishes and had to order a don (which has had the price raised to include a buffet that nobody asked for). We did not want the buffet. We did not want the don. We wanted to order the side dishes they offered on the menu. Instead, the server who claimed to be the manager rudely told us that we could not do that. The question then becomes, why have side dishes on the menu at all??
Ultimately, we left and went and had food at a restaurant that was actually interested in selling it.
It's a shame, they have good food. But they should focus on selling customers the food they want instead of making them pay for food they don't want.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 5
Service: 1
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