Donburi Washington DC

Japanese restaurant

Aparna from Washington DC

About me I am a food lover and wanderlust at heart. Although I spend my day in the corporate world, you can find me eating and drinking my way around Washington DC at night. When not obsessing over food, I am playing a drum with Batala Washington or planning my next vacation. Why Washington DC? When people think of Washington, DC – politics is the first word that comes to ...
""Donburi" in Washington DC is a Japanese restaurant that makes my mouth water before I've even had a taste of the food! It's my comfort food in DC..."

If you like excellent food at reasonable prices and in a no fuss environment, then Donburi is for you. What I really like about Japanese food is the attention paid to every aspect of the dish, however simple it is. Donburi is one of those places where I enjoy watching the making of the food as much as the resulting plate of food.

Donburi is a common Japanese food – basically a rice bowl with meat, vegetables, sauce. The namesake restaurant is a small 14 seat space with an open kitchen, and everyone sits around the kitchen watching the deliciousness being made.

Every step of the cooking process is given meticulous attention, from cooking the meat, fish or vegetables, the caramelizing of the onions, putting the rice in, adding the sauce and the condiments. All in all, a mouthwatering experience even before you have even tasted the food! Of course, the food itself is delicious. I'm not Japanese, didn't grow up eating Japanese food, but I have to say this is definitely my comfort food in DC.

Given that they don't serve any alcohol but are in the heart of Adams Morgan, you can have a drink or two nearby while you wait for a spot to open up.

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

This week 25% off

with the code fall25

*on our yearly membership

Washington DC Spotter Aparna

About me I am a food lover and wanderlust at heart. Although I spend my day in the corporate world, you can find me eating and drinking my way around Washington DC at night. When not obsessing over food, I am playing a drum with Batala Washington or planning my next vacation. Why Washington DC? When people think of Washington, DC – politics is the first word that comes to mind. But DC is so much more than that! DC is beautiful, clean, green, diverse, eclectic, walkable, bikeable,and is full of history. Seasonal festivals and events, tourists, farmers marke...

About this spot

2438 18th St NW

Rice bowl from:

US$

9

2026291047

Oct 6, 2025

Our Washington DC City Guide

Find your way with 101 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our Washington DC guide.

Loved it? Join us!

Loved this Spot?Join your international community. Share your favs and become part of our international community!

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in Washington DC

Cafe Citron

Spanish conversation and dancing

Everyone's been to "Cafe Citron" in Washington DC - for the lovely South American food, the free salsa lessons & Spanish conversation practice happy hour!

002-building
Art & culture
028-beach-bar-1
Bars
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

JR

Denson

Nov 11, 2025

Bombay Street Food 3

Spice it your way

"Bombay Street Food 3" in Washington DC features Indian and Indo-Chinese foods. Its street food versions have less heavy cream and more spice & herbs...

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Lydia

Strohl

Nov 11, 2025

DC Writer's Homes

Follow In their footsteps

What do Langston Hughes, Tallulah Bankhead, Ezra Pound, Roald Dahl and John F. Kennedy have in common? Find out at "DC Writer's Homes"...

002-building
Art & culture

by

Lydia

Strohl

Nov 11, 2025

The Salsa Room

Dance all night

There are a lot of places to dance salsa in DC, but "The Salsa Room" is one of my favorites. I like how patrons who show up are really here to dance....

002-building
Art & culture
029-guitar-instrument-1
Music

by

JR

Denson

Nov 8, 2025

East Potomac Golf Links

In the shadow of the Mall

"East Potomac Golf Links" in DC is probably my favorite place to play golf in the whole world. The view is amazing - and it's surprisingly affordable!

017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

JR

Denson

Nov 8, 2025

Hill Center DC

Events on Capitol Hill(ish)

"Hill Center DC" is an events facility with all kinds of activities, from wine tastings to ASL & cooking classes. It's a real under-the-radar location!

002-building
Art & culture

by

JR

Denson

Nov 8, 2025

The Bullpen

Chill outdoor hangout

"The Bullpen" in DC is a great outdoor venue to go and hang out. I like going when they have special happy hour during Nationals home baseball games...

002-building
Art & culture
028-beach-bar-1
Bars

by

JR

Denson

Nov 8, 2025

DC Brau

The DC beer

Dublin has Guinness. New York City has Brooklyn Brewing. And DC has "DC Brau." It isn't just a local beer. It's the local beer...

028-beach-bar-1
Bars

by

JR

Denson

Nov 8, 2025

NoVA Ultimate Frisbee

Play near the Pentagon

There's an ultimate frisbee pick-up game that's been going on for years in a park across from the Pentagon City Mall in DC. It's so friendly and laid back there!

017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

JR

Denson

Nov 8, 2025

Port City Brewing Company

Local brew

"Port City" isn't just one of my favorite beer companies locally in Washington DC, it's one of my favorite beer companies ANYWHERE. Try their porter...

028-beach-bar-1
Bars

by

JR

Denson

Nov 8, 2025

Canal Park Ice Rink

Chill ice skating

The "Canal Park Ice Rink" in Washington DC is somewhat of a hidden gem in a quiet neighborhood but w/ plenty of nice things to do around...

002-building
Art & culture

by

JR

Denson

Nov 3, 2025

Yards Park

It's got everything

What I like most about "Yards Park" in Washington DC is it's a place that has everything. I come here most Saturdays to meet up with the run group...

017-plant-1
Relaxing
026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

JR

Denson

Nov 2, 2025

Heading to Washington DC?

101 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌

... for just €9.99

Washington DC app Home
Washington DC app Home
Washington DC app Map
Washington DC app Home

Heading to Washington DC?

0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

101 Insider Tips

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

... for just €9.99

City guides by those who know the city in and out!

Our Locals' Favorite Restaurants

Our team loves Washington DC

Get to know our other Spotters from Washington DC

As featured on:

New-York-Times
the-guardian
mashable
the-sunday-times
[paywall_activator]
false
0
false
65
Made with the 💚 of 496 Spotters.
Filters