Dae-Ji Cutlet House

Where they’re obviously doing so well that you can walk in at 455pm on a Sunday afternoon, ask for a takeout menu and the waitress at the door says they don’t open till 5pm so you have to leave.
Wow. Just wow. Guess these places pay their workers so much they don’t need paying customers.

This place was… average. Sad because I had such high expectations. There was a huge crowd inside the restaurant so naturally Rahul and I were like, «wooooooo, gotta check this place out!!! We party people!!» The restaurant is decorated really nicely – loved the huge cherry blossom trees sheltering the tables that create an «Asian» feel. We ordered the classic pork cutlet and kimchi fried rice. The pork cutlet was so meh and I don’t know why because fried meat is usually so delicious even when it’s not done well. It came with sides of kimchi macaroni, spicy mayo cabbage, and pickled radish. One word comes to mind when I think back on the dish: lackluster. The kimchi fried rice is what took the meal from meh to average. Kinda sticky, but it was flavourful. Actually, I don’t know if it was that good, we were just hungry lol so any food would have made us happy at that point.

Sigh. The displays in the window got me. The food here definitely looks better than it tastes. Portion sizes are good, but I’ve never had such strange-​tasting curry in my life.
I ordered their chicken curry over rice. It came with miso soup and a small side of salad. The miso soup came out first. It did not taste like miso soup. First of all, who puts parsley in miso soup. The flavor was completely off, and I’m not sure why I decided to finish the whole thing. The parsley trend continued into the curry as well. But my biggest issue with the curry was the sauce. All I could taste was tomato. There was no rich, savory flavor that I’m used to finding in curries. This one was on the sour side, and because I’m not a fan of tomatoes, my whole eating experience went downhill from there. The chicken was alright, but you can’t really taste it because the sauce is so overpowering. So I guess if you like tomato-​tasting curry, you might find your new favorite restaurant here. But if you’re looking for traditional Japanese style curry, I suggest going somewhere else.

Came here on a Sunday afternoon, ordered the basic daeji pork cutlet. The restaurant is not busy. Decoration is casual industrial style. Taste fits expectation, portion is good, might even be able to feed two girls with small appetite. $ 10 is a fair price. Surprisingly they don’t have the standard pepper and salt bottle on the tables. Should add those so people can add in more flavors if they wish. Overall, recommended to visit.

Ordered their pork cutlet to go which only took 10 minutes. It was fast and the portion was big. Also food was delicious and yummy. I’ve tried their food 3 times already and tastes good as always. I often share with someone and we both get really full. Plus their pork cutlets are big.

I’m a little confused on why this place has such a low rating to be honest. I will say that the day I tried the food here it was bone dry and dead crowd-​wise but the food was fantastic. The food displays in the window were the biggest draw. Everything looked delicious and well what Asian guy isn’t a fan of meat, sauce and rice? So it was a must try. I ordered the meatballs and gravy and the portion size was just as they are in the displays, the meat was juicy and the gravy was great. Also the slaw it came with was great but the only thing that was basically useless were the 10 or so random noodles and corn pieces that were on the plate. If they would have at least given a darn spoon full of each that would complete the meal perfectly.
At around $ 9 for the meals it’s totally worth trying IMO and honestly if you’re a fan of Hawaiian food, some of the dishes are very reminiscent of the island.

I am not too sure why this restaurant is rated so low, but in the contrary my experience in the two times I went there has been great. The plates were appetising and flavourful. It comes in big portions so you can share with someone else. The coleslaw salad is really good.
Overall the atmosphere is very welcoming. It’s very hip. I enjoyed the music and service as well as the lit up tree in the middle of the restaurant. If you are looking for soju (Korean liquor) in downtown this may be a good spot to pair it up with food.

Against my better judgement, I returned to Dae Ji for pork hocks and was thoroughly disappointed. The first time I ordered the hocks, straight up. They were lukewarm and chewy, although I had anticipated a crispier or more well-​done plate of pork hocks. I can’t complain if this is the typical presentation and texture.
I returned a second time thinking the «spicy pan fried» version of the pork hocks might have the texture I was looking for. Dear god… it looked like conch stew or something equally as surprising. It was drowning in some kind of tomato-​based sauce, the slices of pork hock were unrecognizable. I spent last night going from the couch to my bed then back to the couch as I sweat-​out whatever was in that meal.
I eat exceptionally clean most days. Pork hocks are «clean eating» in my opinion. Whatever was in that mash of spicy sauce and meat bits has some serious MSG or other additives. Whatever I went through overnight was not pleasant and shouldn’t happen. It is an indication human beings shouldn’t be consuming food like this regularly.
I’m sorry, Dae Ji. I’ve tried twice. $ 32 for a big bowl of hock-​slop is not my idea of value or quality. Perhaps you should have someone translate your menu properly. «Pan fried» is not «stewed» or «braised» which is what #28 on your menu is — spicy stewed pork hocks. The night sweats were just a bonus, I guess.

I don’t know where all the horrible reviews are coming from… some people need to chill out.
I come here quite often. The food is good and I’ve never had to wait 30 minutes for the food to come out. It usually comes out in about 15 minutes-​ish. The service is always pretty good too.
#1 and the fish cutlet are my faves.

Very disappointed with this place. My miso soup was lukewarm, had to get them to reheat it. I ordered the kimchi rice dish, and it was not fresh tasting. It seemed as if it was pre made and when it came out it wasn’t hot either. Also, the side of corn, and macaroni was very random. Overall, I was very disappointed. I don’t think I’ll be returning. Although, the service was good.

Got the spicy cheese cutlet. It was delicious and large portion! I replaced the pork with chicken, so I can’t speak for the pork. But the chicken was very crispy and fits well with the spicy gravy sauce. I’ve never had Korean cutlets before, but it has many similarities to the Japansese katsu, the gravy is also similar to katsu sauce. I like it, will be back to try other things!

Curry cutlet was honestly subpar and wasn’t very good at all. The menu here actually looks like they just tried putting a Korean spin on Japanese Curry and it doesn’t work. I’d actually really recommend the Japanese Curry stall (zac-​zac) at the H-​mart at the end of Robson. Compared to zac-​zac the Curry here was expensive for what it was, too spicy (and I like spice!), and was bland.
Not to mention that the service was bad. Im okay with the waitress not being able to speak English — it’s a Korean restaurant and I understand that. What I’m concerned about was that the waitress was rude and was making a terrible face when we told her we didn’t want to sit where she wanted us to sit (drunk people on the seat next to us). We told her that if that was the case then we would just go somewhere else — she then caved and let us sit somewhere else (the restaurant was empty)
Take my word from it — the food here is subpar and the service terrible. This place will probably close down in less than a year. If you walk past by this place keep on walking by — Santouka is close by and worth your time and money.

Just wanted to have a beer here with my friend. Waitress insisted that we must order food. I wanted to order the cutlet as a side order, waitress said I can’t do that. I was so full just finished eating at Phnom Penh. Then I told waitress we gonna order in 15 minutes, she said we have to order food now. So I ordered the corn with cheese for $ 6.99 which was Green Giant canned corn dumped on a plate with melted cheese on top. Waitress needs to chill out.

The interior is very nice. My favourite part being the cherry blossom tree on their second level, what a neat décor! The service is great, there is always a waitress available and nearby. The only thing I was a bit uncomfortable with was how the waitresses stood on the stairs to keep an eye on whenever customers needed something; I felt like I was being stared at directly. But it really does help with customer service because anytime I needed anything, they’d be right there in a flash. The waitresses are also very friendly and smile a lot, it’s really nice. The menu is pretty simple, not too large or small. I ordered No. 2: Chicken Cutlet, and it was delicious, no complaints! It was a good size for it’s price (Around $ 9, almost $ 10), typical pricing, and I was full already without eating the salad it came with or the macaroni and corn (All cold). I’m not a fan of salad so I’m not sure of the taste but the friends I was with enjoyed it. Our food came quite quickly, around 10 minutes, a bit longer for the one with curry rice (Sorry I can’t remember the exact one but it was either Chicken Cutlet Curry Rice or Pork Cutlet Curry Rice) but not too bad, especially since we were in a rush of a 1 hour limit. The music was nice too, mostly Korean music like WINNER and EPIK HIGH was played. Overall, it was a good experience both with service and the food but it wasn’t anything special, quite basic. I wouldn’t necessarily specifically go here but if you’re around the West End/​Robson area and having a craving for Korean styled chicken, check it out!

Not legitimate Korean food.
The omelet rice comes with green bean sauce…
The pork hocks taste sweet and have a pineapple flavor.
I really don’t like the food. But free Wifi is good.

solid 3.5 stars, at least for me b/​c unfortunately, I love deep fried food but can say, it’s not as oily as it sounds. In fact, baked’s more like it, there’s no dripping oil.
Ordered the cheese gravy sauce, and for the good-​size bowl of rice, korean version of cole slaw, a minor serving of mac n cheese, plus a few slices of asian yellow pickles, hey, what a value for $ 9.99.
It’s a neat seating joint, reminds me of Asia. Ground level seating of 4 tables, then upstairs to a loft, a bit bigger. Décor-​wise, it’s a feel of a bit industrial with its concrete flooring.
Located where all the other Korean restos and karokee bars.
Surprisingly, a few of the servers spoke fluent English.
One of these places where you have to be in a mood to go.

I’m a huge fan of Tonkatsu (or Donkas as they call it in South Korea)
So, I had to try the new location of Dae-​Ji
I’ve been three times. tried the fish. hamburger steak, and pork
It’s good, but not great. solid basic comfort food

Be ready to wait…
Restaurant is only half full, but it takes average of 30 mins for fried cutlet. This is the 3^rd time.
Food is average.
They need more efficient staffing in the kitchen. Their other location is faster.

What caught my eye was the display of the food outside, which made it feel like I was in Korea. It’s not too spacious inside, but has cute décor like the huge cherry blossom tree branching off over the ceiling. Enjoyed the lively kpop music and the waitresses were friendly. The spicy cheese rice cake was mediocre. The rice cake wasn’t soft enough, as if it was old. But the spicy stir-​fried chicken was very good, marinated just right. Both were pretty spicy though. If you can’t handle crazy spicy, let them know or else you’ll be getting full from all that water! Giving it a 4 because I loved how it made me feel like I was right in Korea! Next time I need to try their cutlets and famous kimchee fried rice.

Dae-​Ji Cutlet House has opened a place just today in the West End, which makes sense since lower Robson is Little Soul and Little Tokyo. So what is Dae-​Ji? A cutlet house, think fried pork cutlets or Shnitzel if you like, but with a Korean flair. They also serve hamburger steaks (Salisbury Steaks)
Dae-​Ji opened in the recently closed location of Chui Korean Fusion Resto, which I liked it was a small and attractive Korean Isakaya. But alas in a hood with a ton of them it was hard for them to stay open. I welcome this change as Dae-​Ji is all about comfort food. And make sure you wear your eating pants because the portions are huge. This place is a great value.
I had the Kimchi Cheese Cutlet, 2 large pork cutlets fried, covered in Kimchi and then covered in melted cheese and gravy. It comes with a side of korean slaw, rice, corn and mac & Cheese! All this for $ 9.99!!!
They also offer sliced smoked hocks which look amazing. Not sure about the other locations but this one is licensed so you can get your beer and Soju on!
I bet once the weather changes this place will be filled. Also great hangover food.
Décor is very nice and they play lively K-​Pop. Service was great and it was their first day open.