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DAIKAYA
DAIKAYA: Bold ramen and lively izakaya vibes in Washington, DC.
3.6
Ramen
$$
DAIKAYA: Bold ramen and lively izakaya vibes in Washington, DC.
DAIKAYA brings ramen and an upstairs izakaya experience to Washington, DC. The menu features two vegan ramen options, Veggie Ramen and Tomato Curry Ramen. Reviews highlight dishes like Rocky Balboa, catfish karaage, tsukune skewers, and octopus wasabi tacos from the upstairs space. The ramen is described as flavorful and warming for cold nights, with service noted as quick but experiences varied.
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Steaming bowls of ramen with rich broths, fresh noodles, and toppings like chashu pork or vegan vegetables.
Japanese pub-style dishes including skewers, karaage, and seasonal specialties for sharing.
Plant-based ramen varieties, such as Veggie Ramen and Tomato Curry Ramen, crafted for dietary preferences.
Curated selection of Japanese-inspired cocktails, sake, beer, and non-alcoholic beverages.
Efficient counter-service for ramen with self-payment options, ideal for solo diners or small groups.
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Overall rating
BC Land
Review is for the upstairs izakaya. I lived in Japan for a few years, and this place is spot on. Really, really good. I had the "Rocky Balboa", the catfish karaage, a tsukune skewer, and the taco (octopus) wasabi. Everything was fresh and packed with flavor. Service and atmosphere was great. 10/10 would do again. Zero complaints.
Joshua Ding
December 2025 Good ramen for the cold winter night. Pricy offer but pretty good ramen texture. Broth is not thick enough but crunchy bean sprouts create additional munching delight. My review 5 as very satisfied Taste 5/5 Temperature 4/5 Speed of service 5/5 Cleanliness 4/5 Attentiveness 5/5 Recommended on a cold night.
Marissa McNeil
The ramen was delicious! This is a spot to pop into on a cold night when you’re craving a quick bite. By no means 5-Star service or fancy atmosphere where you bring a group of 6 people to eat and drink all night. Just good food and quick, easy service. Small space, jugs of water left on the table, and paying on your phone. Simple. Would recommend and will be back.
Jan
They have two ramen options that can be made vegan! The veggie spring rolls are not vegan as they’re fried in the same oil/fryer as everything else. Of the two vegan options, we liked the Veggie Ramen better than the Tomato Curry Ramen - the broth and slightly thicker noodles in the Veggie Ramen tasted better. The veggies in the ramens were nicely cooked and crispy. Ultimately, if you’re vegan I’d recommend going somewhere else.
GW Lee
I normally don’t write reviews, but my experience at Daikaya was so awful that I have to. We requested a table for 4 adults and 2 toddlers (total of 6 people). They told us it would be a 25-minute wait. Instead, every single group around us kept getting seated while we were completely ignored. After 55 minutes, when we asked for the third time, they finally offered us a cramped 4-person booth and told us to squeeze the babies in. That booth is tight even for 4 adults, and our toddlers ended up sitting at the very edges in awkward, uncomfortable angles in their high chairs. On a cold day, after waiting nearly an hour outside, they seated us at the table right next to the door with zero consideration for our kids. We ordered one gyoza, four ramen, and two lemonades. The gyoza came with soy sauce spilled everywhere, and they completely forgot our lemonades. The ramen tasted fine, but that’s about the only positive thing I can say. The last and most infuriating part: they seated us at a 4-person booth, had the toddlers seat on the corner, and then added a service charge for a 6-person table without asking or informing us. They didn’t even ask about the tip—just added whatever they wanted and told us to tap. They didn’t give us a receipt either. Nothing about this experience felt respectful or professional. I’ve lived in the U.S. for over 10 years, and this had nothing to do with race or language—especially because the owner is Asian as well. It was simply terrible service from start to finish. I left feeling genuinely angry, and I have absolutely no intention of ever returning.