Daichan

I love this place. Super charming decor and small family feel, plus great cooking. This is one of the few places where you can get an awesome Katsu curry. more

Toro Poki Bowl! Like a bowl full of unrolled sushi. So tasty - I've been here twice and I've gotten the Toro Poki Bowl twice (i'm pretty sure that's the name -- it's like $15). The atmosphere inside is awesome! Take-away is quick (about 15 mins and it's ready). And the staff is SUPER FRIENDLY! more

This was an OK restaurant. Nothing special. I wanted it to be better since it is one of the few remaining... more

This was an OK restaurant. Nothing special. I wanted it to be better since it is one of the few remaining Japanese owned restaurants. We saw only o... more

Daichan is one of those pleasant surprises when you step inside. My urban hiking group originally meant to... more

Daichan is one of those pleasant surprises when you step inside. My urban hiking group originally meant to have a late lunch at Lal Mirch, but we m... more

Ok, so I didn't make up the term Japanese Soul Food, in fact the restaurant is marketing themselves as... more

Ok, so I didn't make up the term Japanese Soul Food, in fact the restaurant is marketing themselves as such. It's right next to Sushi Nozawa and t... 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. 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. 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. 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 more

My second home. Hawaiin Garlic Chicken, Poke Bowl, Portagee sausage, eggs and rice. :) more

My second home. Hawaiin Garlic Chicken, Poke Bowl, Portagee sausage, eggs and rice. :) 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. 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. 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. 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 more

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! :) more

Daichan has amazing home-stule Japanese food that is always fresh and tasty. It's not expensive, and the waiters and chef couldn't be nicer! more