[CLOSED] Don Godzilla (Tanjong Pagar Plaza)

$6.90, pretty good, serving was just nice. Rice was fragrant, chicken was soft.

Pretty normal, the sauce could be better.
Preferred their curry dons instead

Had heard about Don Godzilla at Blk 1 Tanjong Pagar Plaza for a while — wanted to make a visit here but hadn’t manage to do so until fairly recently. Taking over the former premises of House of Chicken Rice, Don Godzilla is a concept by the same folks behind Chirashi King Kong, which also occupies the neighbouring unit here. Decked in the usual quirky decor theme that King Kong Chirashi is adorned with, the interior design theme of Don Godzilla can be said as largely functional whilst being a little bit eclectic — the space does feature some military camo-style wallpapers with wood-esquire walls; all that with Godzilla making an appearance in the form of a bust and statue throughout the space. Chirashi King Kong is best known for their truffle rice, and Don Godzilla stays true to that theme — whilst Chirashi King Kong focuses more on Japanese Donburi that features sashimi/seafood components, Don Godzilla’s offerings features Donburi and Bento Set featuring cooked elements; think items such as Gyu Beef Don, Salmon Teriyaki Don and Curry Ebi Don all featuring their signature truffle rice. Their signature items here seems to be the various forms of chicken rice (i.e. Godzilla Truffle Chicken Rice, Godzilla Truffle Chicken Bento Set and the Signature Chicken Rice) offered; all of which also featuring their truffle rice, and seems to be paying homage to the space being formerly occupied by a chicken rice store.

Going for the Godzilla Truffle Chicken Bento Set, the bento set features elements such as chicken, tofu and lava egg all served with truffle rice. On first look, the truffle rice here does bear some resemblance to the ones served at Chirashi King Kong — topped off with some Japanese pickles, the rice does comes with speckles of Furikake mixed into it. That being said, instead of the usual short-grain pearl rice that often comes with the Donburi served at Chirashi King Kong, the Godzilla Truffle Chicken Bento Set comes with regular rice grains that are typically served with the usual renditions of Hainanese chicken rice. As a result, the first few spoonfuls of rice does come with a pretty strong whiff of truffle aroma just as per one would have expected with the truffle rice from Chirashi King Kong, though the slightly ginger-ly taste of Hainanese chicken rice does become slightly more prominent after a while. Steamed chicken is the only choice of chicken that comes with all the chicken rice options available at Don Godzilla — served with a light soy sauce, the chicken has also been deboned here for the convenience of the patrons; we liked how tender the meat here is, while it is also savoury especially since the meat absorbed the flavours of the soy sauce beneath. The steamed chicken also does come topped with bonito flakes — perhaps to include a slight Japanese touch for a modern take since this is coming out of a Donburi specialty store. The lava egg also did not disappoint here — essentially a marinated egg, the egg whites are soft, while the yolk remains molten; quite a crowd pleaser. That being said, the real stand out to us here is the slab of tofu — done in the style of an Agedashi Tofu, the tofu was silken and smooth on the inside, yet crisp with that thin golden brown batter on the outside; the consistency being so well-done that it surpasses that of some zichar establishments serving the same dish. The sauce served atop the tofu provides for a savoury flavour that also made the tofu pretty appetising as well. The chili that accompanies the bento set is the usual sort that would usually come with Hainanese chicken rice; theirs being a rendition that is especially fiery and would tickle the taste buds even for those who are tolerable to moderate levels of spiciness. That being said, this was one rendition of chicken rice that we thought that has to be enjoyed with all of the elements separate from each other — the truffle rice being much of the culprit here as the other elements would easily run into the aroma of truffle when had together with the truffle rice, while having a little of everything by its own before having the truffle rice again does also reset the flavours for the truffle rice considering how the truffle-y notes tend to turn less prominent with the rice tasting more ginger-ly over a few spoonfuls.

Some may see Don Godzilla as being pretentious by including truffle as an element to Hainanese chicken rice for the sake of being trendy, but it does seem to be more than just that. Whilst Don Godzilla is a concept where the folks of Chirashi King Kong explores further into Donburi featuring cooked elements, it does look like the offering of the various chicken rice dishes is to pay homage to the former tenants of its space — a move that is to provide office workers in the area the same food option with their own unique twist despite the tenant change. If that is truly the case, it is indeed a pretty thoughtful approach — not to mention how there is always some level of quality to be expected with Chirashi King Kong’s offerings that Don Godzilla does seem to play well to. Chirashi King Kong is pretty much a personal favourite, and Don Godzilla pretty much delivers in the same respect — a spot that one should check out especially for those who are truffle lovers, or if they are already fans of Chirashi King Kong’s truffle rice!

It doesn't seem to be on Burpple, so I just thought to share their menu for those keen!

A lovely little eatery paying homage to Godzilla. Staff is friendly and if you look closely, you will spot lots of decor and figurines featuring the fictional Japanese monster! They are also located next to Chirashi King Kong, a humorous reference to the movie Godzilla VS Kong. The owners of the two eateries are friends, and are in collaboration, so you will find menus of both eateries at the tables outside.

We ordered the Truffle Chicken Karaage Don as well as the Gyu Beef Don, accompanied by a Thai Milk Tea ($2) which was a pleasant surprise. I typically avoid Thai Milk Tea as it is too sweet for me. Theirs was cleverly served in a long self-standing zip lock bag and straw, with punctured holes to act as a carrier to takeaway later if you wish! It was also sweet, but not too sweet, which I loved.

Boy: Truffle Chicken Karaage Don ($10.90). The chicken is so good! It's super crispy while still being light. The truffle taste is a bit on the lighter side but I don't mind it at all. Would have preferred if they used sushi rice, though. 8/10

Girl: Gyu Beef Don ($12.90). Beef slices had a light truffle taste and was well complimented with the Onsen egg. Rice was drizzled with sweet sauce which was a nice touch but beef was a bit more well done than I would have liked! This dish was a 7.5/10 for me:)

Overall it was a pleasant dining experience and we would come back again to try their other dishes!

House of Chicken Rice is no more, but they worked together with Chirashi King Kong and introduced this new concept. Opened just beside their outlet at Tanjong Pagar Plaza.

Offered a much options of Japanese cuisine other than their signature chirashi. And of course the chicken rice legend continue here as well.

Their truffle chicken rice attract people with it’s strong truffle smell. I was surprised by how juicy the chicken meat. The bento set for takeaway also included a smooth tofu.