Domu

Domu, slang for “dream come true,” offers lively neighborhood restaurants and bars with a creative take on Japanese cuisine. Domu has three locations: standalone spots in Dr. Phillips and Jacksonville, as well as a feature in the East End Market. Out of the Orlando pair, we recommend the Dr. Phillips location. It generally has shorter wait times and its interior is vibrantly dressed in pale pink. Ramen, featuring their hand-made noodles, is the main staple of their menu. They also offer small plates, Asian buns, rice bowls, and soft-serve ice cream.

Our first favorite is the Domu Wings. These wings have gathered much media attention, winning the “Best Wings” award from Orlando Weekly for years. They offer a rotating seasonal flavor, but their original always hits the spot. Their wings are crispy with tender innards, blanketed with a smooth kimchi butter sauce. This sauce contains a subtle sweetness, and the coating is not too thick, allowing the crisp exterior of the wing to shine through. The wings are a perfect starter for the table.

An order of the Tokyo Ramen comes swimming in a rich shoyu chicken broth and is topped with a perfectly tender chicken thigh and a deliciously fresh garlic scallion confit. An unsuspecting star of this dish is the ajitama brulee, their torched soft-boiled egg. The texture is extremely satisfying, and the yolk is pleasantly sweet. We recommend getting this add-on with any ramen you choose.

Another highlight of ours is the matcha green tea soft serve, a twist on a classic ice cream favorite. It is churned to perfection with a light matcha flavor and a delicate sweetness. This dessert option is a must-get for those who don’t have a big sweet tooth or simply enjoy the taste of authentic green tea.

One honorable mention includes the Vegetarian Miso, which can be ordered as regular or spicy and caters to those who participate in strictly plant-based eating. We also recommend the Thai Tea and Mango Lychee Lemonade as refreshing beverages to complete your meal.

We believe that Domu is worth the price, with an average of $16 per bowl of ramen, and around $10 for small plates. They don’t take reservations, so expect to wait on average 10-30 minutes for a table, depending on the time and day in Dr. Phillips (the East End location usually has a longer wait). Overall, we highly recommend Domu as a delicious and fairly priced option for great quality Japanese cuisine.