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Daichan
Master Critic Reviews (2 Lists)
Daichan
8.3
Vibes:
Hidden Gems Heaven
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Business Lunch Power Players
Family-owned Japanese soul food restaurant serving authentic comfort dishes like pork katsu-don and chicken katsu curry in a cozy space decorated with colorful Japanese artwork. Founded in 2002 by Gary and Kathy Wang, this unassuming spot focuses on quality ingredients and home-style execution rather than trendy presentations.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pork Katsu-Don, Chicken Katsu Curry, Unagi Bowl
Scores:
Value: 8.9
Service: 8.5
Consistency: 8.4
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 7.2
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: Authentic Japanese soul food run by Japanese staff with genuine home-style cooking
Who should go: Those seeking real Japanese comfort food, not fusion
When to visit: Lunch for quick service before Universal Studios
What to order: Katsu curry with generous portions, sukiyaki, hamachi poke
Insider tip: Make reservations—small space fills quickly during rush hours
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Free street parking on Ventura Blvd and side streets, metered during business hours. Small lot behind building with 6-8 spaces.
Dress code: Ultra-casual - jeans, t-shirts perfectly fine. This is authentic neighborhood spot, not a scene.
Noise level: Quiet to moderate - easy conversation even during lunch rush. Cozy 40-seat space stays intimate.
Weekend wait: 15-25 min without reservation Friday/Saturday 6-8pm. Closes early (9pm) so plan accordingly.
Weekday lunch: Minimal wait - grab counter seats immediately or 5-10 min for booth during 12-1pm peak.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited - vegetable tempura, tofu dishes, and veggie sides available. Not the focus here.
Vegan options: Very limited - steamed rice, edamame, maybe vegetable tempura (confirm oil). Call ahead to discuss options.
Gluten-free options: Challenging - most dishes use soy sauce and panko. Some sashimi/poke options work. Not a dedicated GF kitchen.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes for low-key dates - cozy booths, quiet atmosphere, affordable. Skip if you're trying to impress with ambiance; this is about authentic food, not Instagram moments.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Weekday lunch - yes, usually fine. Dinner and weekends - risky. With only 40 seats, regulars and Universal Studios visitors book ahead. Call 30 min before if flexible.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes - casual vibe, kids menu available, generous portions to share. Counter seating works for older kids. Gets family traffic pre-Universal Studios visits.
How long does a typical meal take? Lunch: 25-35 minutes total - efficient service for business crowd. Dinner: 45-60 minutes if lingering. Kitchen works fast, perfect for pre-Universal Studios timing.
Is this authentic Japanese or Americanized? Authentic Japanese home cooking - owners are Japanese, staff speaks Japanese, menu reflects real yoshoku (Western-influenced Japanese comfort food). Not fusion or California-Japanese.
Best For
Better for: Choose Daichan over trendy Studio City spots when you want: (1) Authentic Japanese home cooking vs. fusion experiments, (2) Quick, reliable business lunch under $20, (3) Comfort over scene - cozy booth vs. see-and-be-seen patio, (4) Family-owned consistency since 2002 vs. flavor-of-the-month openings.
Skip if: Skip Daichan if you want: Modern Japanese (go to Katsuya or Yuko Kitchen), omakase/sushi focus (try Asanebo), date-night ambiance and cocktails (head to Firefly), or extensive vegetarian options. This is a utilitarian comfort food spot, not a destination dining experience.
Daichan
8.3
Vibes:
Comfort Food Classics
Family Friendly Favorites
Hidden Gems Heaven
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Family-owned Japanese comfort food haven since 2002 with walls covered in colorful Japanese artwork and knick-knacks. Famous for pioneering poki bowls decades before they became mainstream, serving generous portions of traditional Japanese soul food.
Must-Try Dishes:
Daimyou Chirashi (Combination Poki Bowl), Katsu Curry, Tempura Udon
Scores:
Value: 8.9
Service: 8.7
Consistency: 8.4
Food Quality: 8.5
Atmosphere: 8.2
Cultural Relevance: 8.8
What makes it special: Original LA poki bowl creator offering authentic Japanese home-style cooking since 2002
Who should go: Anyone craving genuine Japanese comfort food in cozy setting
When to visit: Early lunch before noon or late lunch after 2pm
What to order: Daimyou chirashi, katsu curry, garlic octopus, toro poke
Insider tip: Arrive 15+ minutes before opening for dinner to avoid 30-40 minute waits
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Free street parking on residential streets, typically easy to find. Small strip mall lot available but fills quickly during peak hours.
Dress code: Super casual - athletic wear and jeans perfectly fine. This is neighborhood comfort food.
Noise level: Quiet to moderate - easy conversation even when busy. Cozy space with soft background music.
Weekend wait: 30-40 min typical without reservation. Arrive 15+ min before 5:30pm opening to secure early seating.
Weekday lunch: Minimal to no wait, especially before noon or after 2pm. Peak lunch rush 12-1pm can have 10-15 min waits.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - solid options including veggie tempura, tofu dishes, vegetable curry, and customizable bowls
Vegan options: Limited - can accommodate with modifications (ask for dishes without fish flakes/dashi). Best to call ahead.
Gluten-free options: Challenging - soy sauce used throughout. Some sashimi/poke options work, but cross-contamination likely in small kitchen.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes for low-key first dates. Intimate, quiet atmosphere perfect for conversation. Not fancy or romantic, but genuine and unpretentious - great if you want to focus on talking rather than impressing.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Lunch: almost always yes. Dinner: risky on weekends without arriving early (15+ min before opening). They don't take reservations, so it's first-come-first-served. Weeknight dinners usually manageable.
Is it kid-friendly? Absolutely - family-run spot that welcomes all ages. Simple comfort foods kids love (chicken katsu, teriyaki), patient staff, and casual vibe. Not a kids' menu but portions are generous enough to share.
How long should I plan to spend here? 45-60 minutes typical. Service is attentive but not rushed. Kitchen can be slower during peak times given everything's made fresh, so budget extra time if you're on a schedule.
Is this authentic or Americanized Japanese? Genuinely authentic home-style Japanese comfort food - the kind Japanese families actually eat. Not trendy fusion or overly Americanized. Family has been cooking the same traditional recipes since 2002.
Best For
Better for: Choose Daichan over trendier spots when you want authentic Japanese home cooking without the markup, generous portions that actually fill you up, or discovering LA's original poki bowl in its humble birthplace. Better value and more soul than chain Japanese restaurants.
Skip if: You want modern Japanese fusion, Instagram-worthy plating, or a date-night atmosphere with cocktails and ambiance. Also skip if you need guaranteed quick service - small kitchen means patience required during rushes.