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Long Queue At Don Don Donki’s First Eastside Outlet Opening, Takes 45 Mins To Enter Store

Singaporeans really love Don Don Donki.

Singaporeans really love Don Don Donki.

Singaporeans really love Don Don Donki.

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Japanese discount chain Don Don Donki opens its ninth outlet at Downtown East today (Apr 15), and Singaporeans are showing no signs of Donki fatigue.

Even before the store officially welcomed shoppers at 10am, a long queue had formed outside the entrance.

We’re guessing the hordes are here for the opening promotions, which includes $10/100g Kagoshima A4 wagyu beef (usual price $25.80/100g), $25 XL Grilled Unagi (usual price $35) and freebies like tote bags and mascot plushies with a minimum purchase.

If you don’t fancy queuing (and we don’t encourage you to jostle with crowds these days), you can also shop for Donki groceries on Shopee and its new e-store on GrabMart.

1 of 16 Long long line at 9.30am

We observe Don Don Donki staff scurrying to ensure safe distancing among the queuers. We also overhear a staff member lamenting to Downtown East’s mall management personnel: “We were expecting only around 50 people [to queue up].”

2 of 16 Fans set up to cool down customers

Clearly, Donki has underestimated its appeal, because the queue keeps getting longer. By noontime, large fans have been set up to cool down waiting customers in the sweltering heat.

3 of 16 Waiting time

A Donki staff holds up a sign to indicate the end of the queue, which has a waiting time of 30 to 45 minutes.

  • 4 of 16 Sweet potatoes are back

    Last year, Don Don Donki shut down its Sweet Potato Factory kiosk at Changi Airport’s Terminal 3, leaving Easties without the heavenly-smelling baked tubers. But the baked sweet potatoes ($2.90 each) are back at Downtown East, sold from a cart near the store entrance. You can also buy bags of Japan-imported raw Beni Haruki sweet potatoes ($3.90 a bag).

  • 5 of 16 Shop size

    Compared to the behemoth double-storey outlets at Orchard Central, Jem and 100AM, this Donki branch is pretty small. It does not have a food court or bar, or even an extensive non-food selection like cosmetics and household goods; most of the items offered here are fresh produce, snacks and ready-to-eat deli food, with a small corner for face masks and grooming items like toothbrushes, basic skincare and sheet masks.

  • 6 of 16 Dine-in space

    But the new outlet has a snazzy dine-in space with air-con for you to enjoy your deli food purchase on the spot.

    Below is what to expect at the store:

    7 of 16 Ready-to-eat sushi section
    8 of 16 $48 salmon sashimi platter
    9 of 16 Hot deli food section with bentos
    10 of 16 Fresh meat section with $10/100g wagyu beef
    11 of 16 Fresh seafood section
    12 of 16 Frozen desserts and dairy section
    13 of 16 Beverages section
    14 of 16 Snack shelves everywhere
    15 of 16 Plenty of instant noodles
    16 of 16 Cashier counters

    Don Don Donki Downtown East, #01-339 Downtown East E!Avenue, 1 Pasir Ris Close, S519399. Tel: 6244-1311. Open daily 9am-12am. www.dondondonki.com.

    Photos: Yip Jieying

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