Daikan Izakaya Bar in Köln

We were impressed by the store and the experience as well as the cuisine. We enjoyed all the dishes very much and the service was friendly, courteous and attentive.

Mega delicious, absolutely recommended. The service was a bit too stressed and didn't have time to explain anything, especially important if you want to try frames for the first time. Even bringing it in was just a matter of putting it down and it was gone, paying by card is not possible. I think it's okay, but I don't think it's okay to just put the device in front of us and we have to do everything, and the fact that no one said goodbye or any of the looks was more than strange. But I assume it's because of stress.

The food was very delicious and well served. The waiters were very helpful! It's nice to watch the street atmosphere. Prices are average for Cologne. Ideal for a chill evening.

Very friendly and personable staff, very tasty food!

I had been to Daikan years ago. I was so excited back then that I really wanted to come back when I visited Cologne. First of all: the vegetarian miso ramen soup was solid, the raw red onions and lots of them were unusual. Unfortunately, the tofu was cold and covered in sauce rather carelessly. My companion had ordered two seasonal starters and had to wait over 30 minutes! We inquired three times and the waiters gave no information or an apology. When I finished my meal, their food arrived - mega fail. Yes, it was pretty full and maybe too much for 2 employees, but unfortunately the service wasn't working at all. I will not recommend the store.

Just great food and you could watch the chef prepare it

Too bad we couldn't book, because there were a lot of people inside and a queue outside. This wasn't a problem for us as we had take out. The sushi was excellent and the servers were very welcoming. I highly recommend!

I have mixed feelings after my visit to Daikan Izakaya. The service was excellent and I also liked the ambience. However, for me the focus is clearly on the food - and here I was disappointed. The food tastes good, no question about it, and many people will certainly feel the same way. But anyone who knows anything about Japanese or Asian cuisine will quickly notice that they rely heavily on simple ingredients and ready-made sauces. Examples: • Bao Bun: The hoisin sauce (probably from Lee Kum Kee) and chili oil (probably Lao Gan Ma) are standard items that dominate the flavor. Although Lao Gan Ma is tasty, it has a very intense flavor that throws off the balance. For just under €9 per bun I would have expected at least one homemade chili oil. • Spicy Ramen: I ordered it extra spicy and received a bowl of “chilli sauce” with it – unfortunately it was gochujang, a Korean chili paste that has no place in a ramen. The broth itself wasn't complex enough, the toppings were very sparse, and canned corn just doesn't work at this price level. Overall, I found it lacked the attention to detail and freshness that I expect from a restaurant in this price range. For just under €85 for two people, the meal was not satisfactory for me. Since food is the most important aspect of going out for me, I unfortunately only give it 2 stars.

I'll be honest: the pictures and the food look great, but in my opinion there are too many shallots that overshadow the broth or soup itself and the egg (which is usually the best thing about ramen in my opinion) was so salty, not tasty at all. Broth and noodles are great in themselves, as is meat. But for the price it was almost not worth it... (kimchi also a tiny portion for almost 7€...)

Tasty, but extremely expensive with very small portions. Price-performance ratio not balanced. The waiting time was too long and the staff was clearly overloaded.

Quite expensive, a bit small, the toilets outside and very cold. The windows were completely fogged up inside. But the service was super friendly. He explained everything to us in detail and the food was delicious.

Delicious ramen and other Japanese delicacies. Gladly again

Very tasty ramen and sushi! There was a bit of a wait involved… Food arrived within a few minutes, almost a bit too quickly. Tastes great!

Authentic Izakaya experience in the middle of Cologne! On Sunday evening we visited DAIKAN IZAKAYA in the beautiful Belgian Quarter. We tried those - Miso Ramen – strong, aromatic, just right for a cozy evening. - Dragon Roll – perfectly rolled, fresh and full of flavor. - Bao Bun with crispy salmon – fluffy, crispy, simply delicious! You sit at large tables with other guests - so not for date night snobs, but great for anyone who likes social dining. The prices are rather high. But for the quality and atmosphere you can treat yourself.

The best japonese cuisine in koln. Highly recommend the dragon rolls and takoyaki.

The ramen is highly recommended. However, for sushi I would go to other places.

It's not easy to really write about a taste explosion these days. This is my second time here and the food here stands out from many restaurants.

The food is good, the service too. We had the Dragon Roll, Ramen, Gyoza and the Dynamite Shrimp. The biggest reason not to go there anymore is the bad air and the smell. The store is always completely full plus a waiting time of 20-40 minutes. All of our clothes smell as if we had cooked and fried the food ourselves. After that, you definitely won't be able to do anything around people anymore. The store cuts corners. The fact that there is no air inside and you smell like it ruins the whole good experience.

Status: January 2025: Unfortunately, the quality has deteriorated significantly, perhaps due to a change in the chef? Very unfortunate. And now you can only eat 2 go-to meals because the windows are completely fogged up and the moisture is dripping down, super disgusting!

A little more expensive food, but fresh and very tasty! Nice and courteous service and a nice, minimalist atmosphere! :) clear recommendation

Everything is delicious and prices are ok

Ramen and ambience great. Inexpensive with not too big portions

Very tasty and very nice service!

Awesome shop. Everything tasted very good and the service was also great

Totally delicious food. Nice atmosphere and super friendly service. Highly recommended 😋🤜🤛

A real experience! The Daikan in Cologne not only offers fantastic food, but also an overall package that inspires. I would particularly like to highlight the bartender with the long blonde hair. Not only are his drinks crafted at the highest level, but he also brings an incredibly positive energy and professionalism. He manages to perceive each guest individually and offer a special experience - something like that is rare! You can immediately tell that he puts his heart and soul into his work and enhances the entire ambience. Such employees are worth their weight in gold and definitely deserve recognition, including financially. If anyone deserves a raise, it's him! I will definitely come back – an absolute recommendation!

Very nice, extremely tasty, attentive service...gladly again.

The ramen was lukewarm and the dumplings were cold. There is still a lot of potential for improvement.

The ramen was the best I have ever eaten in Cologne. Unfortunately it's not really "spicy" but that's no different in Germany. Sushi and gyozas were also very good. Yuzu cheesecake tasted great too. Service was very friendly. The only point here was that we only got the edamame after the main course, even though we specifically said that we would like it in advance. The ambience was probably brought out the best possible, which is feasible in this building and not too expensive. I found the price to be a bit too expensive but it was still within the range. Definitely coming back.

Not a bad restaurant in itself. However, none of the dishes were convincing. I had the DryRamen. They weren't bad but not particularly good either (6.5/10). My girlfriend had the miso ramen which didn't taste like miso :D Nevertheless, they were tasty but nothing special here (7/10). The Tonkatsu Bao was a disappointment. Way too sweet sauce that drowned out almost everything. The other flavors didn't go together at all. (2/10) Especially for €8.50 it's cheeky. Aperol was delicious, However, “triple filtered” tap water (0.75L) for €6.90 is also a disgrace. Don't understand the hype about the restaurant. Maybe we had a bad day. Definitely won't eat here again.

I was there for dinner today, even though it was full, we didn't have to wait long. The atmosphere is very cozy, the food is prepared quickly and the service is attentive and friendly! Successful evening!

Daikan is certainly not a bad restaurant. The food tastes quite good and is presented in an attractive way. But in my opinion the hype is overblown and the ramen is definitely not the best in town. The miso ramen was okay, but the shoyu ramen was not balanced in taste and neither was “spicy”. Unfortunately, when it came to starters, only the takoyaki were completely convincing. The (German?) mayonnaise didn't go well with the karaage and we were totally disappointed with the Wagyu. That could have been completely "normal" beef... Other tapas such as the Dynamite Shrimps were out (shutdown at the supplier?!?). The service seemed a bit overwhelmed by the number of guests, which unfortunately had a negative impact on attentiveness and friendliness.

Food 7/10 I've been here four times over the years and only came here for ramen with some sides. Therefore I only review ramen. Overall, the ramen was okay, but the broth was never hot enough. Sushi is fusion, which I hate. Sushi is best eaten with fresh ingredients such as rice, fish and wasabi. No hot, crappy sauce, mayonnaise? WT... The store was nice and always busy, the things were always good.

Something wonderful. Very tasty food 🍱 I ate Ramen here for the first time 🍜 and I see that I will order more often. But the best of all are the gyoza dumplings 🥟. Both those added to the menu of the day and those baked. I recommend it wholeheartedly.

+ very tasty starters/sushi + fast and friendly service + many vegetarian options (including ramen) + Sweet chili brownie with ice cream really good - a bit expensive, especially the ramen, which is at least €16, quite expensive

Schön und super lecker. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Persönliches Highlight - Miso-Ramen 🤤 Geheimtipp - Schrimp Dumplings (unschlagbare Soße) Und sehr freundliche und zuvorkommende Bedienung. Auf jeden Fall eine klare Empfehlung für alle Ramen-Fans und mehr.

Die Speisen sind sehr lecker gewesen,doch für den Preis war die Portion Sushi etwas zu klein. Die Mitarbeiter waren sehr freundlich und kulant.

A very nice atmosphere. Very tasty food 5/5 would come again!

Not my style, but I can see other people enjoying the food there.

The flavors must be tried, if you do not have a reservation, take into account the waiting time of 15-20 minutes, the only minus is the poor ventilation, after leaving the restaurant mu clothes smelled of oil, but this will not change my score, the prices are affordable

An interesting and tasty place. I advise you to visit.

The ramen and bao buns are incredibly delicious. We always come here and leave the restaurant happy. You can order most things vegetarian without having to compromise on the taste.

Best ramen I've had in Germany so far. Not without price, but top quality. Absolutely recommend Miso Ramen.

Super tasty, nice staff always happy, it tasted so much.

Perfect for dinner. Good ramen and a wide variety of side dishes. Maybe not the best ramen in the city but it has a perfect ambiente for slow dinner & cocktails. Unlike typical asian vibe, this place is nice to dress up and enjoy the environment.

The food was very tasty. There were many vegetarian options and you could sit outside. Gladly again!

Nice place and lovely service. Got the shoyu ramen (with spice) and veggie gyozas. Would skip the onions next time but overall very good!

I have been eating regularly at Daikan during the last 4 years and especially after Covid, the food became average, while the service became significantly worse: -With plenty of tables in the back free, they make you wait in the street for the ones close to the window, so that the place looks “busy”. -When you ask to be moved to the table in the back, they make you wait 10 minutes extra - the food is not served at the same time to the diners, so when one has finished the other has not even received the food. - I would not even call it a restaurant, since they sit you in the same table with other people. Only in a Biergarten I have seen that you share table with people you don’t know. Good thing is that you can find Ramen and Sushi under the same roof, but you can find better Ramen in an “only Ramen“ place and better Sushi in an “only sushi” place.

Very tasty ramen (miso chicken), a dream! ☺️ Very nice and quick service. A bit noisy, clothes smell after a visit as part of the kitchen is integrated into the restaurant as a show kitchen. All in all, highly recommended!

Had a Shoyu ramen (chicken), it was delicious. I have attached a picture in the review. The price was around 17 Euros. I came on a Saturday at 15:30 there was no place available at that time but you can talk to waitresses, they will tell you the wait time, you can walk around until then. The place is accessible by wheelchair in case you are wondering. All in all I would recommend checking it out.

Very authentic, delicious food in a cozy but noisy, cramped atmosphere. We were allowed to sit directly at the sushi counter. The work was done very cleanly. You just sit very close to each other. The sushi was very tasty. Everything else we ordered was really good too. Gyoza, chicken, kimchi, etc. We were a little disappointed with the wagyu nigiris. They were a little tougher than we thought and had a strange aftertaste. The ramen is also delicious, but unfortunately our order was taken incorrectly. The ramen is just too expensive - €18. Price-performance ratio is not right. All in all a really nice restaurant.

Daikan offers a variety of small dishes which are prepared very well. Our favorites are Eggplant with miso, Spinach with sesame sauce, Chicken Karaage, Gyoza and cold Ramen just to mention some. One dish stands out because we have never had them this good. The Bao Buns!!! Especially the ones with mushroom are just unbelievably delicious. Consider trying the Ice Tea variations. We liked the Maracuja aroma. The interior is well designed and you are seated comfortably. The place is located in the most popular neighborhoods of Cologne so it’s quite busy. Before or after your visit you can go discover little Boutiques or Cocktailbars.

Food was very tasty (Mesu Ramen) and the ambience looks very nice. However, the food is a bit expensive.

Hello everyone! We recently went to Cologne for a short trip and visited the restaurant thanks to the recommendation of friends. As a starter we had two different bao buns and the TONKATSU BAO with crispy chicken. Both were incredibly tasty, but I liked the TONKATSU BAO with the chicken much better. Afterwards we decided on a delicious SHOYU Ramen, which particularly impressed us because of its intense flavor and spiciness. It wasn't just salty, it was really lovingly prepared! Even though we were already full, we took sushi with us because we were sitting right at the bar and could watch the chefs preparing it. We chose a special sushi with Wagyu. It looked and tasted amazing! Personally, I couldn't taste the Wagyu that much, but my companion could. That's why I recommend you try it yourself and form your own opinion. Overall the restaurant was busy, lively and the music was playing, but that didn't bother us. Even though the seating was tight, everyone somehow still had their own space and it was easy to have a conversation. Despite the hustle and bustle, we were able to enjoy the whole atmosphere and the food to the fullest. The waitresses were very friendly and attentive. The chefs cooked with a lot of calm and passion and impressed us with their creations. A big thank you to the team! I hope my contribution helps you with your decision. Kind regards and have fun!

The food was okay! The location is included in the price, but a 0.2l Kölsch for €3.50 is already steep! A bad habit that is spreading in the catering industry is the sale of "SodaStream" water at overpriced prices!

EIN WIEDERLICHE, schmutziger und stinkender Ort! Ich habe so eine Wut schon lange nicht mehr erlebt! Die Teller hatten Abplatzungen, die Tischlampen verstaubt, der Boden war schmutzig - was für ein Horror-Laden! Wir warteten 45 Minuten auf unser Essen, und die Leute, die nach uns kamen, erhielten sofort das Essen und das Gleiche, wie wir es bestellt hatten! Auf die Frage, was das Problem ist, 2 Suppenteller zu bringen, antwortete uns ein Kellner (ein großer, dürrer blonder Sprössling) unverschämt: "Wenn sie nicht warten wollen, können sie gehen." Ich lasse diese Unverschämtheit einfach nicht zu! Ich werde mich bei dem zentralen Sanitätsdienst der Stadt Köln beschweren! Ich werde keinem raten, dieses schmutzige und überteuerte Loch zu besuchen!

Food is really recommended without exception. The only criticisms: 1) The store is always packed, so the seating is very cramped, 2) We sat in front of the door that leads to the toilets, and they can only be reached via an inner courtyard. That means it drafts quite a bit in winter. The door was also broken and didn't close automatically. Therefore there are 2 points deducted for ambience, otherwise everything is 5 stars, great!

I recently went to Daikan Izakaya and all I can say is: an absolute pleasure! We each had a miso soup and a shio soup - both were really excellent. The taste was authentic, the ingredients were fresh, and you could tell that the cooking here was done with great attention to detail. We were also impressed by the ambience. The restaurant is located in the middle of Cologne city center and offers a super cozy and inviting atmosphere. Perfect to relax and enjoy good food after a long day. I can really only recommend the Daikan Izakaya and will definitely come back here again and again!

Überteuert, dreckig, ewige Zeit auf Essen gewartet,ein Klo ohne Pissoir für hunderte Gäste,auf dem Hinterhof wie Baustelle, vollgepisst, Sperma an Spiegel und Fliesen.Eckelhaft aber hip.

Super Personal, super Essen. Sehr empfehlenswert! Kamen mit hohen Erwartungen hierhin und es wurde nicht enttäuscht. Personal kam direkt auf einen zu. Essen war schnell da und sehr lecker.

Miso Ramen was too salty and lacked flavor. Kimchi was good and salmon teppanyaki was as expected. I was hoping for a more rich and tasty ramen…maybe it was just an off night? First time here and just in town for a few days …

Wow! That was just great! Fantastic sushi with super unusual creations, great ramen, delicious cocktails and such great service! We'll be back! Thank you for the great afternoon!

Super tasty ramen. In combination with delicious sushi. It's nice to sit outside and the service is very attentive. Free music from house number 11 ;)

We ate very well again. At the counter, with good cocktails and great service. We would be happy to come back next time we are in Cologne.

It was very good! It's quite expensive but frankly, the dishes are good and the servers are very nice. I will definitely go back!

Always worth a visit on a trip to Cologne!

Our long-awaited visit to Daikan finally took place. I had been wanting to visit this restaurant for 3 years, but something kept coming up. This time, however, it succeeded. What should I tell you? Every minute and every bite of ramen was extremely worth it. A powerful and flavorful broth. I ordered the miso ramen in spicy. It could have been a lot spicier for my taste, but the broth has a wide range of different nuances. The texture of the noodles and the pak choi was very convincing. Corn was unusual for me, but it fit extremely well. The meat was spicy. The soy sauce pickled egg was perfect. Both the note of soy sauce and the texture. Perfectly cooked. Will definitely visit Daikan often. A manageable map, but that doesn't necessarily have to be interpreted negatively. Even positive for me. The other two ramens on the menu should be careful of me soon. The bao buns and sushi also looked outstanding.

Super tasty sushi and ramen in a good location.

Went here spontaneously today, the sushi and bowl were super tasty and very nice service.

Love this place, amazing food, great service! The only problem is that they don’t take reservations so every time you have to wait a little bit, never too long though!

By far the best ramen I've ever had. Since reservations are not possible here, you should plan to wait when visiting. However, the food is more than worth the wait! As a starter we had a little bit of sushi, half flambéed and the other half normal. The quality of fish and rice were great! As a main course we had the miso and shoyu ramen with and without meat and it was worth every cent. So delicious that we went straight back there on our second day of vacation. The service was very quick, friendly and accommodating. The food came very quickly. The only small disadvantage was that it was very warm there because of the open kitchen. However, how else are you supposed to see how the delicious dishes are created?!😊

Ordered sushi online for pickup in advance. Unfortunately, the sushi wasn't ready 20 minutes after the agreed pickup time and I asked for a refund, which was refused. The sushi was then thrown together quickly and didn't taste good at all. A lot of money for the barrel :(

I've actually always been happy, but today both my friends and I had to throw up after the miso ramen and were constantly in the toilet. Saturday evening was over...

I was recommended this place by a friend who lives in Cologne, who mentioned that it's one of the best ramen restaurants in the city, and he was absolutely right! The Miso Ramen was just sublime, and the Karaage and spicy shrimp dumplings were also tasty. The atmosphere was pleasant, the staff are friendly and helpful. Tables outside are also nice during summer. I would definitely go back again if I crave ramen during my next stay in Cologne.

Daikan Izakaya in the Belgian Quarter of Cologne offers an authentic Japanese izakaya experience. The atmosphere is lively and inviting, ideal for social evenings. The menu impresses with a variety of delicious Japanese dishes, including fresh sushi, ramen and creative tapas. Particularly noteworthy are the carefully prepared dishes and the high quality of the ingredients. The staff is friendly and attentive, making you feel completely comfortable. Overall, Daikan Izakaya is a great place to enjoy Japanese cuisine in a lively setting.

Small but nice shop with delicious sushi. You could sit outside, there aren't that many seats inside.

The sushi 🍣 was ​​really delicious. The operation, i.e. the service, was really good. The only things that weren't so good were the fact that only card payment was possible and the outside seating was really hard and took some getting used to. But still come back!!

We had a bao as a starter and ramen as our main course. We really enjoyed the ramen and would come back again and again

The ramen was absolutely amazing... the service was very accommodating, the location was rather simple, which didn't bother me... my favorite ramen in Cologne so far!

From A-Z top - miso, sushi & bao everything is ultra delicious, service very friendly and attentive.

* Authentic Japanese Izakaya with delicious food and friendly service. * Great atmosphere and wide variety of dishes. * Perfect for a cozy dinner with friends or trying new dishes. * Highly recommended! Details: The Daikan Izakaya in Cologne is a small but fine restaurant that serves authentic Japanese cuisine. The menu offers a wide range of dishes, from small starters to hearty main courses. The yakitori skewers, which are prepared in a special charcoal grill, are particularly delicious. The sushi and sashimi platters are also highly recommended. The atmosphere at Daikan Izakaya is cozy and casual. The staff is friendly and attentive. The prices are fair and the price-performance ratio is right. Conclusion: Daikan Izakaya is a great restaurant for anyone who wants to enjoy Japanese food in an authentic atmosphere.

This is one of the finest places to enjoy great Ramen, chicken wings, gyoza,miso aurbegine and great cocktails! I highly recommend this place. Hands down It is one of the best eateries in Köln.

A spontaneous visit where we were not disappointed! The food (Crispy Chili Gyoza, Dynamite Shrimp, Dragon Roll, Crazy Tuna Roll) was consistently very tasty and attractively presented. Clear risk of repetition! The drinks and their pricing should be reconsidered. A 0.2 liter (!!!) Pepsi for €3.50? A mediocre espresso martini for €11? This continues with the other drinks. No, sorry, that costs the fifth star.

We only drank a cappuccino and an espresso macchiato, very good quality, portafilter machine and high quality espresso beans. The service was extremely friendly and quick. Tap water was included free of charge.

Best ramen I had in my life. I ate the shio ramen, you can ask for the spice (sauce) on the side. Delicious ramens.

UPDATE 2024: Unfortunately, the ramen's taste has deteriorated... and the toppings are no longer as good in quality. Sushi and Co. Tastes good! The timing of the kitchen could be better. The ordered starter (edamame) was served at the end of the meal, which was a bit of a shame. Cash payment is ONLY possible. **** Great and charming restaurant. The service and staff were courteous and extremely friendly! The Shio Ramen tastes amazing and is a must try!

Went there at lunchtime with kids and surprisingly: my 8 year old wanted sushi with cucumber and avocado, it was calculated as if the shrimp that had been left out had still been there. My son had a blurry ramen, a little hint that the topping was seasoned with chili would have been welcome when taking the order. The second ramen ordered was with cold pork belly, cold egg and moderate broth. We also ordered edamame, grilled avocado and eggplant with miso honey. These preparations took 25 minutes and the ones mentioned first were already eaten. You cannot pay here with the generally accepted payment method “cash” but must do so with a card. Only the fact that the service person did this with her debit card and accepted my cash is a big plus point for our service, while her colleague only had a stroppy answer (probably said hundreds of times) when asked whether it was possible when ordering Edamame, avocado and eggplant were lost. All in all: I like to spend my (cash) money on enjoyment and friendliness, but I don't need others to be able to keep track of where and how much the amount was. And the amount here was clearly 20-25% too high!

Nice service and very tasty food.

What the hell was that? Everything was great, the ramen was perfect, the order arrived in 5 minutes.

Very tasty... Price/performance is ok for the food, the drinks are a bit (expensive)... attentive staff...

By far the best frame of my life. It's a shame that I have to drive 1 hour for the experience. But I'd like to do it. The frames could be a bit hotter for my taste but the overall package is an absolute 5/5!!!

The food was delicious and the service was friendly. But what is simply not possible: given the relatively high prices (ramen 18 euros), you are also asked on the card terminal during the payment process whether you would like to tip 10%, 15% or 20%. I find that to be bold and invasive.

Super leckeres Essen! Wir hatten beide die Miso Ramen und waren begeistert. Abzug gibt's, da die Vorspeise gleichzeitig mit der Hauptspeise serviert wurde.

One of the best lunch spots in Köln for some delicious sushi and spicy ramen! We had a lovely time.

We spontaneously went to eat at Daikan on a Saturday evening. We didn't have to wait and the service was very friendly. The food was super delicious! We both ordered ramen. The food was at the table quickly :) Miso ramen costs just under €20, which we found to be quite expensive. But in the end the taste was worth it! The drinks were delicious 👍🏼 There was a lot going on in the Belgian quarter that evening... so there were a lot of cars on the road, which were piled up next to our table. The restaurant is located where there is a lot going on in the evenings. Maybe you're looking for a spot with good food and a lot of hustle and bustle. Then you are right here! We'll be happy to come back the next time we visit Cologne ☺️

The banh baos and sushi were delicious!

The food and especially the sushi is excellent.

According to the internet they are open until midnight, but at 10:30 p.m. I was no longer allowed to order food and had to drive again

Ramen super tasty Sushi super tasty Great service

Absolute 5/5 stars - super nice and attentive service and the food was simply brutally good no seasoning, good taste all around, everything fresh HIGHLY recommended are the dynamite shrimp and miso ramen