The food was delicious however the portion sizes are a little small for the price. Great service, great atmosphere.
Howard
I've dined at Daikaya many times over the last 10 years, including as recently as June 2025, and it was always a favorite. Unfortunately, as of November 2025, the experience has changed dramatically. The food menu has been overhauled, and the quality has dropped significantly. The menu is now much smaller and no longer includes sushi rolls, only a single small salmon handroll. The miso glazed salmon was unexpectedly fishy, and longtime favorites like the beef skewers have been removed entirely. The chicken hot pot rice was the only non–small plate option remaining, and it was bland with tough, chewy chicken. Overall, the restaurant feels like a shell of its former self, and I left hungry and disappointed.
Graham
We got confused because the name of the reservation has both restaurants on it, but it's only for the Izakaya and they don't serve the same food
Patricia
The food and the service were amazing. The menu could be enhanced as it was notes we expected. More sushi items and ramens. Our server was excellent and very detailed with the food items.
Gabriel Gzz
It’s OK ramen, reliable place w good service
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 4
Choi Hernandez
My favorite ramen place. I always get the spicy miso with veggies. The noodles are perfectly chewy, the broth is so flavorful, and the charred veggies are a perfect combo to a great bowl of ramen. Not many tables. The service is fast and friendly.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Xavior
The food was pretty good, but not the best value for the price point. While our waiter was excellent, he was clearly over tasked and needed support
No
I have been coming to the Izakaya upstairs for about eight years, and it has always been one of my favorite spots. The atmosphere is still perfect, and the drinks remain solid, but unfortunately the food menu has taken a big step back.
After their recent rebranding, the menu was cut nearly in half, and most of the dishes I loved are gone. They have kept a few staples like the grilled avocado and some skewers, but the fun and shareable small plates, especially the onigiri, have disappeared. That one especially hurts since you cannot really find it anywhere else in D.C. besides the cozy little Hana Market on U Street.
Now I find there is not much left I can or want to eat, and even the new additions miss the mark, like the “shake fries,” which sound cute in theory but end up being messy and out of place. I truly wish they would bring back some of the classics that made this place special.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 4
Po Hsun Su
Don't come if you are looking for Japanese ramen.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Gyula Planky
I got the Sapporo style ramen, and I must say Daikaya was a real disappointment. It was about as authentic as Dr Pepper being a real doctor. The broth tasted like it was recycled or something and the service was lack luster. 2/5
Saw a TikTok about this place and decided to make a reservation for the next night. Had NO idea that they had live music (DJ) on Friday & Saturday Nights so that was a happy surprise! The food was AMAZING. The Salmon Bell DIY Handroll was so fresh and light. The drinks were smooth and tasted great. We definitely we will coming back soon.
Hugo Myc
Ramen was solid, staff were lovely — just a shame so much of the menu was sold out
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Taeri Beecroft
It was beyond my expectations. I just wish there were more varieties available!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Chef Al
Ramen was sup par in protein was mush
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 4
Hye Jeong Lee
Good ramen place near the concert stadium
My friends and I went there an hour before the concert and it was pretty crowded (sunday).
We didn't wait though. We got the big table inside. It was very eccentric with photos and designs on the wall. It could be a cozy place for couples to come.
I had spicy miso which was pretty good. Not that spicy though but just enough to my liking. I want to try the cold noodle next time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Spicy Miso Ramen with Pork Belly
The food was delicious however the portion sizes are a little small for the price. Great service, great atmosphere.
I've dined at Daikaya many times over the last 10 years, including as recently as June 2025, and it was always a favorite. Unfortunately, as of November 2025, the experience has changed dramatically. The food menu has been overhauled, and the quality has dropped significantly. The menu is now much smaller and no longer includes sushi rolls, only a single small salmon handroll. The miso glazed salmon was unexpectedly fishy, and longtime favorites like the beef skewers have been removed entirely. The chicken hot pot rice was the only non–small plate option remaining, and it was bland with tough, chewy chicken. Overall, the restaurant feels like a shell of its former self, and I left hungry and disappointed.
We got confused because the name of the reservation has both restaurants on it, but it's only for the Izakaya and they don't serve the same food
The food and the service were amazing. The menu could be enhanced as it was notes we expected. More sushi items and ramens. Our server was excellent and very detailed with the food items.
It’s OK ramen, reliable place w good service
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 4
My favorite ramen place. I always get the spicy miso with veggies. The noodles are perfectly chewy, the broth is so flavorful, and the charred veggies are a perfect combo to a great bowl of ramen. Not many tables. The service is fast and friendly.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The food was pretty good, but not the best value for the price point. While our waiter was excellent, he was clearly over tasked and needed support
I have been coming to the Izakaya upstairs for about eight years, and it has always been one of my favorite spots. The atmosphere is still perfect, and the drinks remain solid, but unfortunately the food menu has taken a big step back.
After their recent rebranding, the menu was cut nearly in half, and most of the dishes I loved are gone. They have kept a few staples like the grilled avocado and some skewers, but the fun and shareable small plates, especially the onigiri, have disappeared. That one especially hurts since you cannot really find it anywhere else in D.C. besides the cozy little Hana Market on U Street.
Now I find there is not much left I can or want to eat, and even the new additions miss the mark, like the “shake fries,” which sound cute in theory but end up being messy and out of place. I truly wish they would bring back some of the classics that made this place special.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 4
Don't come if you are looking for Japanese ramen.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
I got the Sapporo style ramen, and I must say Daikaya was a real disappointment. It was about as authentic as Dr Pepper being a real doctor. The broth tasted like it was recycled or something and the service was lack luster. 2/5
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 2
Restaurantji Recommends
Saw a TikTok about this place and decided to make a reservation for the next night. Had NO idea that they had live music (DJ) on Friday & Saturday Nights so that was a happy surprise! The food was AMAZING. The Salmon Bell DIY Handroll was so fresh and light. The drinks were smooth and tasted great. We definitely we will coming back soon.
Ramen was solid, staff were lovely — just a shame so much of the menu was sold out
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
It was beyond my expectations. I just wish there were more varieties available!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ramen was sup par in protein was mush
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 4
Good ramen place near the concert stadium
My friends and I went there an hour before the concert and it was pretty crowded (sunday).
We didn't wait though. We got the big table inside. It was very eccentric with photos and designs on the wall. It could be a cozy place for couples to come.
I had spicy miso which was pretty good. Not that spicy though but just enough to my liking. I want to try the cold noodle next time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Spicy Miso Ramen with Pork Belly
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