Kitsch and Curry

We went to our favorite Japanese restaurant for lunch yesterday, a little place in Studio City called Daichan. They serve the Japanese equivalent of soul food: teriyaki and katsu-don bowls, curry rice, udon and soba soups, onigiri and croquettes, plus some good sushi. Brad broke out of his teriyaki rut for once and discovered his new favorite dish, a California bowl. They take the same ingredients for a California roll and put it in a bowl, so it's rice with a layer of sliced avocado and cucumber topped with shredded crabmeat, then sprinkled with nori. I like the curry.

The thing I love about Daichan, however, is the decor. Most Japanese restaurants go for simple, minimalistic elegance--clean walls, exposed wood beams, a tasteful flower arrangement or two. Daichan has a much more homey feel. Every inch of wall space is covered with Japanese posters and prints, masks and knickknacks, and hand-drawn depictions of menu items. Lanterns, kites, and fans hang from the ceiling. Rice-paper screens, kimonos displayed on stands, and an assortment of other Japan-related bric-a-brac complete the clutter. It's cozy and comforting without feeling crowded. Lots of fun.