Daichan delivers soulful Japanese in a small, quirky space - Review - Los Angeles - The Infatuation

"Every square inch of Daichan’s walls is covered by a barrage of Japanese knick-knacks, from Buddha figurines to woodblock prints to technicolor fish lanterns that sway in the breeze every time someone opens the front door. The clutter and chaos give this strip mall spot in Studio City a lived-in feel that warms you even before its Japanese comfort dishes arrive at your table. We love Daichan’s various udon bowls and their crackly homestyle tempura, but the main draw at this family-run cafe is the “original poki bowl.” Decades before cubed raw fish in bowls became part of the LA food pyramid, Daichan was cranking out giant portions of fresh sashimi on top of sushi rice and lettuce. It’s also one of the most popular lunch spots in the neighborhood, so expect wait times to run a half-hour or more, even on weekdays. photo credit: Cara Harman photo credit: Cara Harman photo credit: Wonho Frank Lee Pause Unmute Food Rundown Karaage The sheer amount of air whipped into Daichan’s tempura batter keeps these upgraded chicken nuggets light and crispy. We also love how the sweet mirin flavor in the dipping sauce shines through. Dip generously. photo credit: Wonho Frank Lee Curry Udon In a funk? Get this massive bowl of soup. The combination of thick, chewy udon and tender stewed chicken in a rich, savory-sweet curry broth never fails to reach into the deepest part of our psyche and make us feel better. photo credit: Wonho Frank Lee Poki Bowls There's no overdressed fish topped with more crispy onions than a green bean casserole at Daichan. Their stripped-back Japanese poki emphasizes perfectly vinegared sushi rice and soy-kissed sashimi. Our favorites are the toro bowl with as much fatty tuna as a fancy omakase, and the scallop bowl with a salty-sharp punch from red pickled ginger. photo credit: Cara Harman" - Sylvio Martins