I love this place. Every place I look reminds me of Japan. The name is right-Japanese soul food. You never want for anything, the waitress is right there either filling your tea, water glass, or... More

I love this place. Every place I look reminds me of Japan. The name is right-Japanese soul food. You never want for anything, the waitress is right there either filling your tea, water glass, or whatever you need. I usually get the eel over rice but next time I'm getting the butterfish. It's very reasonable and my friends also love it. I wish it was open Sunday. You might want to get reservations because it does get crowded around dinnertime. Pros: Good down home Japanese food, reasonable prices. Cons: None
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Just went there with my wife after reading a few of the reviews (Saturday around 6 pm). The place seemed extremely small from the outside, but it opens up as soon as you enter. The place is... More

Just went there with my wife after reading a few of the reviews (Saturday around 6 pm). The place seemed extremely small from the outside, but it opens up as soon as you enter. The place is overdecorated with tons and tons of Japanese paintings, figurines, fans, etc. but they somehow manage to make it look organized and it ends up feeling very peaceful and cozy. It was not crowded but you could tell that they had their share of devoted following. Had the Garlic Baby Squid (the sauce is to die for) and potato croquettes as appetizers (also good). Went then for the Mixed Poki plate (sashimi with seaweed and rice) and Unagi plate (Eel with rice). A great alternative when you just want good & healthy Japanese home-style food in a nice an relaxing setting. Pros: Ambience + food + service Cons: A bit hard to spot.
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Daichan is a special place. They make home-style food, have generous portions, and charge a fair price. The atmosphere is adorable and comfortable, filled with asian trinkets and art. The service is... More

Daichan is a special place. They make home-style food, have generous portions, and charge a fair price. The atmosphere is adorable and comfortable, filled with asian trinkets and art. The service is excellent! I recommend the salmon kawachi yaki, and any of the bowls but especially the sashimi bowl and the vegetarian poki bowl.
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There is nothing bad I can say about this place. They do not offer specialty sushi rolls here, just hearty food like your mother would make. That is if your mother was Japanese and from Hawaii. The... More

There is nothing bad I can say about this place. They do not offer specialty sushi rolls here, just hearty food like your mother would make. That is if your mother was Japanese and from Hawaii. The poki bowls are my favorite, but everything I have eaten here is great. The only thing that competes with the food is the decor. Intimate seating areas are created using a myriad of strategically placed furnishings, collectibles, and chotchkes. The servers are attentive and very nice. I truly enjoy giving these people my business. Pros: hearty meals, good service, nice environment
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I know that sounds lame...But it is like a retreat...I love coming here...you all a sudden slow down, you are more aware of yourself and voice, and you just get to enjoy this charming place. I love... More

I know that sounds lame...But it is like a retreat...I love coming here...you all a sudden slow down, you are more aware of yourself and voice, and you just get to enjoy this charming place. I love it, and likely tried everything on the menu. The food is truely refreshing as you feel as you had a healthy experience in dining. The staff is always attentive, and thurough. Great after yoga...just kidding, it is great even if you just benched 250#s...tough guy you are!! Pros: If I move to an island one day, and could have one restaurant to go to, this would be the one Cons: I honestly have none.
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the handwritten menu is charming, though initially overwhelming with additional menu items handwritten/illustrated and posted all over the walls. service is thoroughly attentive, i never had to ask... More

the handwritten menu is charming, though initially overwhelming with additional menu items handwritten/illustrated and posted all over the walls. service is thoroughly attentive, i never had to ask for a water refill, and dinner for 2 cost only $25 before tip. a friend and i shared the shrimp tempura roll, curry bowl (chicken and vegetable curry), and miso butterfish. the tempura roll was smaller (rolled tighter) than we expected but the tempura stayed crisp and crunchy. the curry was strong and flavorful with a generous scoop of shredded pickled pink ginger on the side. the butterfish (also the most expensive entree) was the most disappointing. the miso glaze was too strong, overpowering a great fish. two pieces of fish were presented with two perfectly fried triangles of tofu-- nice and piping hot, soft in the middle. daichan offers to sauce options to the fish entrees, so hopefully the soy sauce based one is a little lighter. the fish entree also came with a "bento" bowl of: rice, grilled carrots (surprisingly delicious considering i don't even like cooked carrots), a pasta salad that i was too full to try and a thin slice of watermelon. plenty of food for the money and the cozy atmosphere and friendly waitstaff should make this a neighborhood favorite, especially if you want a pleasant experience to counteract a nasty encounter with the sometimes more abrasive sushi chef at nozawa a few doors down.
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I love Daichan!!! It is one of the few Japanese soul food restaurants in LA (Kouraku is the other one) with amazing service and great food. When I'm in the mood for something very healthy, light... More

I love Daichan!!! It is one of the few Japanese soul food restaurants in LA (Kouraku is the other one) with amazing service and great food. When I'm in the mood for something very healthy, light but filling, I would order the Tuna Rice Soup. My bf always orders the pork katsu-don. The decor is as comforting as the dishes on the menu. Gary is a great chef, and you can taste the Hawaiian influence in his dishes. Two thumbs up! Pros: food, service, ambience Cons: parking
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Daichan's dishes bridge Japanese and Hawaiian cuisine. I could eat here twice a day, sometimes i do. I just wish they were open for breakfast! :)

Daichan's dishes bridge Japanese and Hawaiian cuisine. I could eat here twice a day, sometimes i do. I just wish they were open for breakfast! :)
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If sushi is the extent of your Japanese cuisine experience, or if you're simply a sushi snob, then go away. If you want home style Japanese soul food (as the restaurant likes to refer to their... More

If sushi is the extent of your Japanese cuisine experience, or if you're simply a sushi snob, then go away. If you want home style Japanese soul food (as the restaurant likes to refer to their dishes as), then you've got to give this cozy little restaurant a try. Don't get me wrong, I love sushi, but sometimes I'm just in the mood for some down home cooking. You don't have to get all dressed to impress, just go in jeans and a T. And even though I'm not Japanese, I've eaten enough Japanese home-cooked meals to know what's good. I recommend their signature Samurai Chicken (go deep fried), Tuna Poki Bowl, and Agedashi Tofu. If you dig spam like I do, they've got spam musubi!! PROS: Cozy family-feel, great non-sushi food CONS: small parking lot
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