DON Eatery – Asian Street Eatery

DON Eatery – Asian Street Eatery

Overview & Challenge

Overview & Challenge

A cross-Asian street food joint built around one character and his story. We created the name DON and developed a full brand world around him—a free spirit raised by fishmongers, obsessed with flavor, and shaped by travels across Asia. While Asian food is globally loved, its regional street food wasn’t widely familiar in the Cairo market. The challenge was to introduce dishes like ramen, pho, or donburi in a way that felt accessible and exciting, without watering down their essence. The brand had to educate, attract, and feel lived-in from day one.

Year

2023

Industry

Food & Beverage

Scope of work

/

Branding

/

Spatial Branding

/

Brand Strategy

/

Packaging Design

/

Digital Marketing

/

Illustration

/

F&B

/

Visual Identity

/

Campaigns & Activations

Timeline

12 weeks

Overview & Challenge

A cross-Asian street food joint built around one character and his story. We created the name DON and developed a full brand world around him—a free spirit raised by fishmongers, obsessed with flavor, and shaped by travels across Asia. While Asian food is globally loved, its regional street food wasn’t widely familiar in the Cairo market. The challenge was to introduce dishes like ramen, pho, or donburi in a way that felt accessible and exciting, without watering down their essence. The brand had to educate, attract, and feel lived-in from day one.

Year

2023

Industry

Food & Beverage

Scope of work

/

Branding

/

Spatial Branding

/

Brand Strategy

/

Packaging Design

/

Digital Marketing

/

Illustration

/

F&B

/

Visual Identity

/

Campaigns & Activations

Timeline

12 weeks

Challenge

Challenge

Challenge

Introduce a niche cuisine through a brand that invites discovery.

We developed the brand around Don—a fictional personality whose travels, memories, and culinary roots bring coherence to the concept. His story shaped everything: the name, the illustration, the typography, the voice. Wall graphics explain key ingredients; objects around the space mimic his memorabilia; candid photos from Asia hang like postcards from the journey. Packaging features Don mid-sip, head tilted back with a bowl in both hands—an image that’s both symbolic and arresting. Verbal cues like “Slurp it loud” and “Soulful” give the experience voice, while activations like “Vietnamese Week” transformed each location into a rotating culinary snapshot.

Outcome

Outcome

Outcome

A character-led brand with staying power and local relevance.

DON now runs four locations across Cairo. The identity helped build immediate recognition and loyalty. Guests connected with the character and story, while the brand language gave the team a platform for continuous content, campaigns, and experiences.

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+971 58 50 30 842

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e&lu®

Have a project in mind?

By submitting, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.

Let’s talk.

Tell us about your project—whether it’s a brand, website, content or marketing.

Quick response.

If you’re ready to create and collaborate, we’d love to hear from you.

Clear next steps.

After the consultation, we’ll provide you with a detailed plan and timeline.

+971 58 50 30 842

hello@elu.studio

e&lu®

Have a project in mind?

By submitting, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.

© 2025 e&lu® Studio

Let’s talk.

Tell us about your project—whether it’s a brand, website, content or marketing.

Quick response.

If you’re ready to create and collaborate, we’d love to hear from you.

Clear next steps.

After the consultation, we’ll provide you with a detailed plan and timeline.

+971 58 50 30 842

hello@elu.studio

Whether you’re looking to build a stunning website, boost your brand, or drive measurable results, we’re here to help.

Whether you’re looking to build a stunning website, boost your brand, or drive measurable results, we’re here to help.

Elie Noujaim

Creative Director

Elie Noujaim

Creative Director

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