Daichan

We got the curry katsu chicken plate and it was one of the best i've had! Chicken was very crispy and the curry was a sweet, umami curry with mild spice. It came with cantaloupe, edamame, and soft carrots as a complimentary side dish. Ambiance was very traditional to Japanese decor with warm lighting, props, and paintings all over. The food took a minute to come out but waiter was very attentive.

The highlight here is the ambiance. This small but cozy restaurant transports you to someone's home in the Japanese countryside for the short time that you spend here.Unfortunately, the food doesn't match in the comfort department, which is what we were hoping for. We started with miso soup, which was great and tasted homemade, especially on a rare rainy day. We had the chicken teriyaki combo, which came with rice and ponzu for dipping. We also shared the chirashi dish, one of the more expensive items on their menu. The combo dish came out first and it was pedestrian at best. No char on the chicken and the sauce was bland. The tempura was better but a little on the heavy batter side. The chirashi dish was disappointing. An upside down bowl of sushi rice on a plate with an assortment of thin pieces of raw fish of the chef's choice. A few were decent, a few were not. Visually unappealing as well, however the sushi rice was well flavored and perhaps the best part of the dish.Service was friendly and efficient. There were many other items on the menu to order so perhaps we were just unlucky but I don't think I would try it again. Unfortunate because the atmosphere is beyond, which can be unusual for restaurants in LA.

This review is 13 years late but heartfelt nonetheless. It was the perfect quiet place we needed. My partner and I were on our first international trip and we ended up here.I cannot remember what we ate. But we were content and happy, tucked into a little two top near the bar or register. After finally remember the name of this restaurant, I look forward to visiting this place within the next few months with the same man.

Food 4/5: the tempura was very crunchy but I felt like the actual shrimp meat wasn't a lot. Udon was very chewy and I liked it but I felt like it was not extraordinary. Service 1/5 we made reservation beforehand and still had to wait 30 mins to be seated. So I wasn't sure why we needed to make a reservation. Ambiance 3/5: small but loved the wall art.

For three people we ordered the following: - chicken karaage - chirashi bowl- Saba broiled- tempura udonThe Karaage was absolutely fantastic. Perfectly balanced in every way. Might be the best I have ever had. Not because it had some wild stand out feature but it just shocked me that it was light yet crispy and the sauce was so interesting. Not too strong but flavorful. Wow. The chirashi bowl was great--they were very very generous with the ikura. The other pieces were thick and had great variety. The Saba was delicious as well. The tempura udon was good but you really gotta jump on that tempura asap so it doesn't get soggy. The udon noodles and broth were excellent and nourishing. Service was timely and we didn't wait at all since we were the second party when they opened at 12:00 on a Saturday. The two ladies who served us were so cute in their mannerisms and their announcing each dish as they brought it, very precious. The decor and furnishings are so cool and interesting, it creates a great atmosphere and also serves as great conversation pieces to look up or get curious about the different art or decor. After tax and tip we ended up at $34/person which is incredible value.

An absolute must visit if you're in the valley! This Japanese fusion restaurant has been a favorite of mine for years, and I can't gate keep it any longer! My go-to is the sashimi bowl and it hits the spot every time. The fish is fresh and extremely tasty. I highly recommend!

TL;DR: Best katsu curry ever! Amazing Japanese hospitality in a quaint restaurant filled with love. AMBIANCE/PARKING: Daichan is in a strip mall with limited parking, but I had no problem finding parking around and walking across the street. There's also valet when it gets crowded, I believe, but I always aim for the free option. The restaurant itself is on the smaller side, maybe about 10-15 tables that can accommodate larger and smaller parties. Lots of Japanese knick knacks adorning the walls make for interesting things to look at while you wait. SERVICE: We got to Daichan shortly after opening so we were seated immediately. The waitstaff is very polite and proactive and it reminded me a bit of our trip to Japan (where the hospitality is incredible). I could see it getting very busy about 1 hour after opening. You can tell that the food is made fresh because it came out slowly (this is a good thing)... maybe this goes in my next section...FOOD: The food was HOT! Like beautiful, fresh off the grill, HOT. I have never had restaurant food so hot and so fresh. And it tasted so good!!! So even though the wait after seating was a little on a long side, it was completely worth it. They take good care of you while you wait too. Katsu Curry: crazy, but hands down the best Japanese curry I've ever had!! It had so much flavor and pieces of meat in it, along with the curry. And super hot. Whew. It had a little kick to it too! The katsu was nice and crispy!Katsu Don: nice and hot with good flavor, but because of the egg and sauce, don't expect the katsu to be as crispy as it would be in the Katsu Curry!Octopus: many large meaty pieces!! So hot and fresh. Soba: very good soba, but not as *special* to me as the katsu curry. Overall, I can't WAIT to go back. Thank you Daichan for the attentive service and delicious fresh food! It is worth the wait!

Lovely family atmosphere. Cozy and comforting. The food is interesting and refreshing, ingredients they use are good. Service was also very pleasant.

The stuffed pumpkin was a standout, with a sweet-savory filling and delicious sauce. The tempura was good, though not the best I've had, it was crunchy and not oily, but also wasn't the crunchiest I've had either. The udon with a poached yolk and savory chicken was pretty good, hearty, comforting, and flavorful. The chicken katsu was well-seasoned with a nice crispy exterior. My wife ordered the chirashi bowl, which was great. The unagi being the highlight--tender and smoky from the Japanese BBQ grill.Service was a bit slow and we waited for some time before getting seated, but the quality of the food was there. It's a small-ish place though, so I wouldn't recommend bringing a large group here. It's more of a few friends that we want to have a good time with type vibe.Would definitely recommend!

As a local, I seldom venture to Studio City, but given the lackluster food options at Universal Studios, I decided to explore alternatives with a friend.Parking proved to be a challenge; I managed to squeeze into a compact space, further cramped by neighboring vehicles. Finding parking in this area is indeed a game of chance.The restaurant itself exudes a cozy charm, with friendly staff adding to the inviting atmosphere. However, service was leisurely, so if you're on a tight lunch schedule, be prepared for a wait.Opting for the Daichan Combination Chicken, I found the portion size smaller than anticipated. Despite not having a hearty appetite, I managed to finish everything. The pasta salad was a curious twist--resembling a macaroni salad but made with spaghetti, lacking in flavor. The teriyaki chicken was decent but failed to leave a lasting impression. On the plus side, the tempura boasted a light, non-greasy batter. However, the fruit provided was a mere slice of melon, disappointingly lacking in sweetness.Overall, while the dining experience wasn't dreadful, it failed to captivate. I had hoped the food would compensate for the parking woes and wait time, but unfortunately fell short. As a local, I have the flexibility to explore other options in the plaza, and you might be better off doing the same.