Taste the umami: The world's first smoky pork jowl donburi arrives at Cheeky Don Millenia Walk

April 13, 2026

From a humble home kitchen to a permanent CBD haven

In the highly competitive Singapore food scene, a truly exceptional culinary concept will always organically rise to the top. What started as an incredibly popular home-based business by self-taught founder Chef Jacky Tan has officially bloomed into a fantastic permanent brick-and-mortar restaurant! After highly successful pop-up stints and rave reviews across the island, Cheeky Don has triumphantly opened its doors on Level 2 of Millenia Walk (#02-16). Proudly holding the title of the "first-ever smoky pork jowl donburi in the world," this homegrown establishment offers a masterful twist on traditional Japanese comfort food. Whether you are craving an intensely flavourful lunch to break up your workday or a satisfying, hearty dinner this April 2026, this modern, inviting eatery guarantees a completely unforgettable, umami-packed dining experience right in the Downtown Core.

Wally Ang

The royal 5-step treatment: The Signature Cheeky Don

Pork jowl is an incredibly succulent, beautifully marbled cut of meat that is often vastly underrated. At Cheeky Don, it rightfully takes the absolute center stage. The culinary team treats this premium ingredient to what they proudly call their "5-step royal treatment."

  • Meticulous preparation: The pork jowl is first plunged into a top-secret brining solution for over 18 hours, followed by another 6 hours of intense marinating to ensure absolute tenderness and flavour penetration.
  • The fiery finish: It is then expertly pan-seared to render the fat, aggressively flame-torched to lock in the juices, and finally, heavily smoked using authentic, high-quality green apple wood chips imported directly from the USA.
  • The perfect bowl: The resulting meat—boasting a crispy, smoky exterior and a melt-in-your-mouth interior—is served atop their signature Takenoko Gohan (savoury bamboo rice simmered in rich dashi broth) and finished with a brilliant, zesty chimichurri green sauce that perfectly cuts through the richness of the pork!

Savoury alternatives: The Shogayaki and Happy Veggie Don

If you want to explore beyond their signature pork jowl, the restaurant offers an incredibly solid lineup of alternative donburis that cater to various dietary preferences.

  • A comforting classic: The Shogayaki (Ginger Pork Collar) Don is an absolute crowd-pleaser. It features a highly generous serving of juicy, caramelised pork collar that is beautifully coated in their unique, savoury-sweet ginger teriyaki sauce and topped with marinated spring onions.
  • A vegetarian delight: The Happy Veggie Don is meticulously designed with pure joy in mind. This brilliant plant-based option boasts tofu cutlets that have been patiently shoyu-braised for 8 hours, paired alongside smoky, grilled cauliflower florets. It is an incredibly satisfying, earthy bowl that guarantees a smile with every single bite.
Cheeky Don®

Complete your meal: Customisable sides and artistic desserts

The value at Cheeky Don is truly exceptional because every single donburi ordered is a complete, satisfying meal. Each bowl generously comes with comforting miso soup, fresh bok choy, and crispy nori.

  • The "Sidekicks": Furthermore, diners are empowered to customise their experience by choosing two distinct side dishes from their curated menu! You can easily balance your rich donburi with hot and cold classics like the Pan-Seared 'Scallop' King Oyster Mushroom, the Midnight Diner-Style Nagaimo (Mountain Yam), or the highly refreshing Zen Salad dressed in a zingy Sichuan Peppercorn Vinaigrette.
  • Artistic sweet treats: Be sure to save some room for dessert! Their pastry chef crafts visually stunning, gallery-worthy sweets, including the famous Yayoi Kusama Polka Dot 'Pumpkin' Mousse and the breathtaking Monet's 'Waterlilies' Jelly Cheesecake.

Highlight deals: The exciting 2026 seasonal donburi drop

Eating at Cheeky Don is an adventure that keeps on giving, especially with the fantastic promotions they have lined up directly on their menu!

  • The Donburi of the Month: Starting this April 2026, the restaurant is officially launching an incredibly exciting new initiative: A brand-new Seasonal Donburi every single month! This means there is always a fresh, highly innovative flavour profile waiting for you. Be sure to check their official website or ask the friendly staff about the exclusive monthly special during your visit!

Claim your exclusive Millenia Walk App shopping reward

Before you eagerly dig into that steaming bowl of applewood-smoked pork jowl, make sure you maximize your overall mall visit by claiming your exclusive dining rewards! Download the official mall app to your smartphone and sign up as a brand-new member using the special promo code [NEWAPR26]. You will instantly receive a $5 Millenia Walk eVoucher credited directly to your digital wallet.

Tip: You can easily use this complimentary cash voucher right here at the restaurant to offset your bill or treat yourself to an extra serving of their addictive Kinpara Renkon (Sesame Lotus Root)! (Please note that this specific promotion is strictly limited to the first 500 redemptions for April 2026.)

Cheeky Don®

Stay connected for the latest menu additions

Want to stay perfectly updated on what the next seasonal Donburi of the Month will be, or catch glimpses of their breathtaking new artistic desserts? Be sure to actively check out and follow all their official digital channels! You can easily plan your optimal commuting route and find precise mall directions via Google Map. Furthermore, immerse yourself in their vibrant food community by following them on Facebook and Instagram for mouth-watering slow-motion videos of their intense flame-torching process!

Opening hours

  • Monday to Sunday: 11:30 AM – 9:30 PM

(Friendly note: The restaurant can get quite busy during the peak CBD lunch hours. We highly recommend visiting slightly before 12:00 PM or enjoying a slightly later lunch to secure a comfortable table without the queue!)

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