Cancel

Open app

Search

Danawa

3.9 (356 reviews)
Open 6:00 pm - 1:00 am (Next day)
Updated 1 week ago

Order Danawa Takeout or Delivery

Danawa Asian Fusion Restaurant Photos

Business Info

DANAWA ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Divey
Casual
Trendy
Moderate noise

You might also consider

Recommended Reviews - Danawa

Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
Yelp app icon
Browse more easily on the app
Review Feed Illustration

Reviews With Photos

Soy garlic fried chicken and clam soup
Adela C.

Our go-to Korean pocha place! Delicious clam soup and delicious soy garlic fried chicken, crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, served piping hot and fast to boot! We've also had other dishes such as the kimchi fried rice in the past and the food has always been on point. They've redone the interior on several occasions and you can tell they put quite a bit of effort into mimicking the late night outdoor street stall vibe with string lights, noren banners, and a "night sky" wall mural across their walls, except without the discomforts of teeny tiny seats/tables and super cramped seating of a real stall. Which we personally love as that's not an aspect we enjoy of real food stalls lol. There is always Kpop playing on the screen near the entrance, usually of various music videos, and the music in the store matches what is on screen. Caveat: we always come earlier in the evening to avoid the loud drinking crowds, so my review is reflective of that and can't speak to how it gets late at night. Would advise doing the same if you don't like noise like us!

Budae jjigae Spicy Army Soup Meal
Maggie W.

Came here with a party of 3 and was seated immediately! I've been meaning to explore more pocha places in the Bay, and this is definitely it for me. The location is inconspicuous and hidden away in one of the many strip malls off El Camino Real, but when you step through the door, you're transported to a different dimension. We ordered the spicy garlic edamame, army stew (budae jjigae), pork belly kimchi fried rice, and chicken with cheese. The edamame was a classic and was well seasoned without being too overbearing or sodium-packed. The budae jjigae was heavy! Definitely hard to get through, but my personal policy is that I will try to finish whichever dish is most difficult to get as take-out first. The portion is massive though, so don't balk at the price. The chicken with cheese was excellent. Just the right amount of spicy without being too overbearing, and the mozzarella cheese portion was also not too heavy and not too light. The pork belly kimchi fried rice stole the show for me personally, it was a favorite. I always love how savory the flavors of it are, kimchi by itself is too overwhelming for me so I love that the rice helps soak up the flavor naturally.

Army Stew
Cecilia Y.

Danawa has downgraded a lot in quality and taste. My friends and I used to love coming here but our recent trip made us firm that we probably won't come back. We got one of the combos for a group of 4 and it is pretty misleading because you can choose one item from each category but the cost wouldn't total the price of the combo. The portions are also smaller. Yes it was human error on our part but at the same time, we shouldn't have to think about these things if allegedly the combo is supposed to be a better deal than ordering everything individually. The food was very mid as well. Portions were small. It was not worth it. The fries were giving potato corner but double the cost. The rose tteokbokkie sauce was not as thick and flavor wise, it was just ok. The army stew was alright. Portion was pretty small.

Soju ($12)
Elena N.

Date: Thursday, September 19, 2024 Time: around 6:30pm Party of: 2 Meal: Drinks and Snacks *Truffle Fries ($12) *Fish Cake Soup ($18) *Soju ($12) x2 A friend and I were getting takeout elsewhere in the plaza. Since there was a wait, we decided to stop by Danawa for a drink. I didn't realize until I walked in, but this used to be VIP Oriental. I have some found memories of that old place. There no other patrons when we got here, so we just sat at the bar and ordered a bottle of soju. For some reason, I always feel bad ordering one thing, so we got the fries as an app. A pretty big portion with a fair amount of truffle aroma. When my friend came back with our takeaway, the server was super sweet. She said we could eat it there. We didn't end up doing that (tho I did taste a few things), but we were here for a good two-ish hours. Ended up with the fish cake soup as well. They made it slightly spicy which made me happy. (I can't recall if I asked for it spicy? Probably since I do like my heat.) There was a good amount and variety of fish cakes. I really enjoyed this dish. Glad I ended up at this spot. End up being a fun chill dinner of sorts. REVIEW #3565

Soft Tofu Soup Meal
Emily C.

Solid food! My favorites were the soy garlic fried chicken ($25), tofu soup ($17), and steamed egg. All of which were some of the best I've had. The chicken is super crispy and the wings are sizeable. The tofu soup was delicious, savory, and came piping hot. I don't eat a lot of Korean steamed eggs, but my friend said that it was the smoothest and jiggliest he's had. Prices are rather steep, but I'd say it's definitely worth it for the chicken. The only dish I'd avoid entirely is the bulgogi. the beef was paper thin and mostly veggies. It was also oddly very wet and extremely disappointing.

Soy garlic chicken  10/10
Lindsey T.

A nice spot for casual Korean food! Came here on a Friday night and was surprised by how empty it is. We came for dinner and all of the tables were pretty much empty. It's also located in a less popular area so it is very accessible and parking is super easy. For drinks, we got the cocktail soju in peach! I like how strong they make the drink. Most places would dilute the cocktail in ice but they don't use any ice (I Lowkey wish they did though, because it would taste even better cold). One cocktail was more than enough for 2 people. For food, we got the chicken soy garlic wings, the pork belly kimchi fried rice, and the corn cheese. The chicken was amazing (10/10). The portion size is huge and the flavor is rly good. This was the highlight of the meal! The corn cheese is also big, but almost to a fault, because it is too much for 2 people to eat without it getting cold / too cheesy. We added it to the kimchi fried rice and it was a great combo together. The rice on its own was a little bland. For ambiance, the decor feels like a party spot but it's so empty. They also play kid movies in the background. The service was decent, we got our order taken quickly and the food was also fast to come out. This is a great place to try at least once!!

Pork soondubu and cheesy spicy chicken
Hye Kyung K.

It's a nice place for friends to hangout for food/drinks or even a date night. The interiors was like a mix of traditional Korean and casual. There were privacy shades by my table on the side so it felt like a personal space but we came early for dinner and were the only customers at the time. The pork soondubu was good -- I personally wish there was more soup, but the amount of tofu/meat was satisfying. The cheesy spicy chicken was good too, I recommend it! The portions were slightly small compared to the price. The taste was as expected. We had a makgeolli too and it was decent. Next time I'll come back for a light night meal to try the kimchi fried rice and army stew.

Clam Soup
Han H.

Food is warm and freshly prepared; maybe less authentic Korean ( missing certain spices and pickled ingredients) but tastes not that bad.

Spicy Rice Cake
Lindsey C.

Overall, a tasty experience! We were the only ones in the restaurant on a Tuesday night and I really enjoyed the food. The service was quick and attentive and the restaurant was clean. I only tried two dishes, but the rice cakes were delicious and they let me substitute the fish cakes for spam instead. The gizzards were delicious, served on a sizzling platter.

Seafood pancake, extra crispy, always
Jasmine C.

Came here around 6pm on a Friday and we were the first ones here. The Christmas decoration was cute but very dark ambiance. Got a bottle of soup, beer, seafood pancake, and fish cake soup. My favorite was probably the seafood pancakes, which was lite and crispy. For the price, though, it'll most likely be my first and last time. Thank you!

Soft Tofu Soup, Kimchi Pancake
Celina L.

if i were on death row, i would choose danawa to be my final meal. if i could choose only one restaurant to eat at for the rest of my life - it would be danawa. at 1:30 am after prom, i came to danawa with my date. i have been coming to danawa every month or so for the past 9 months, and i have had zero complaints. the service is impeccable and the food comes out SO quick! we've only ever had great experiences with the staff, and if i could give this place 6 stars i would. i personally do enjoy the ambiance inside and i love that they change it up every now and then! here are our favorites that we get every single time (or as my boyfriend likes to call it, the big 3): soft tofu soup: 10/10 incredibly good. we've tried it with pork, mushroom, and seafood. it's delicious every single time! kimchi pancake (my personal favorite): 10/10 we rarely have leftovers, that's how good the kimchi pancake is. it pairs very nicely with the sauce and is always perfectly crispy. kimchi fried rice (spam/pork belly): 9.8/10 sooo good! it's very creamy with the egg and the flavors are very bold - salty, spicy, kimchi-y. we've tried more than our typical order, though! spicy rice cake: 9/10 the rice cakes are cooked to perfection - very chewy. it will definitely have you coming back for more. sausage and rice cake: 9/10 a great appetizer! yupdduk: 8.5/10 we loved it and it was honestly really fun to eat. it doesn't feel greasy despite all the fried foods. highly recommend trying this place out!! i've tried my fair share of korean places across the bay, and i will always continue to come back. i am actively eating at danawa while i write this review and i couldn't be happier.

Bulgogi, steamed egg, corn cheese, tteokbokki

See all

3 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 3
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of Nancy P.
560
26
42

2 years ago

Helpful 6
Thanks 3
Love this 0
Oh no 3

4 years ago

Helpful 5
Thanks 1
Love this 6
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0
Photo of Jason F.
206
6
11

1 year ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of Tess C.
465
4
0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 2
Love this 2
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 1

4 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Dong K.
3
22
13

3 years ago

Helpful 11
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 4
Thanks 0
Love this 5
Oh no 1

2 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 0
Love this 5
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 1
Love this 3
Oh no 0

5 years ago

Helpful 6
Thanks 1
Love this 5
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0

5 years ago

Helpful 105
Thanks 2
Love this 98
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of Amy T.
103
46
85

3 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 1

4 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

Page 2 of 9

Ask the Community - Danawa

Do they have a bar stool section like the prior place?

Do you mean bar seating? Yes, but it doesn't seem utilized. Customers were seated in tables.

Do we have to make reservations in advance if we have party of 10?

There was a party of around 10 that walked in when I was dining there, however I would recommend making a reservation to shorten any possible wait!

Is the chicken feet boneless?

Nope

What's the Yupdduk on the menu? Are those the Yupdduk spicy rice cakes they have in LA?

Are you sure you aren't referencing a specific business? Kind of like going to a random Burger place and asking what's the McDonald's on the menu?

Do you serve dakbal?

Yes we do. Chicken feet. We serve with handball rice

View All 8 Questions

You might also consider

Cielo Rooftop Bar

Cielo Rooftop Bar

3.6(92 reviews)
2.6 miWest San Jose
$$

Cielo is open seasonally, and we finally visited during (*at the very end of*) their Winter…read moreExperience. I think traditionally, you need reservations for Cielo, but their Winter Experience (ran through December and mid-January) is first-come, first-served. The Winter Experience is a Christmas-themed set-up - very tastefully and beautifully decorated - with Christmas music (even 2 weeks after the New Year). the tables along the edge have small in-table fire pits AND a tall heated furnace - you will not be cold in December. these tables do require a minimum spend of $50 per person, which we came into this expecting that regardless - however, it sounds like you can sit at any of the other tables without this minimum spend, though you will only have a blanket for warmth. the sunset was beautiful, though keep in mind that we do live in a city, and there are other tall buildings around, so don't set your expectations too high. Overall, we are so happy we finally checked this place out, and that we were able to do so during the Winter Experience. We did find it overpriced (considering it's at Hotel Valencia... we weren't surprised) for what you get. I tried one cocktail (~$20) that tasted like a flavored soda, before switching to wine; my husband had 2 Old Fashioned, they were both made differently but both good. The food was good - small, shareable portions. We're happy to have finally stopped in, but I wouldn't go out of my way to come again. HOW TO GET THERE: enter Hotel Valencia from the ground floor; take the elevator to Floor 3; go straight down the hall, pass the front desk on your left, to the second set of elevators; take that to the top floor

Cielo at Hotel Valencia in Santana Row had a winter-wonderland-style setup that was definitely…read morecute, but overall the experience felt underwhelming. When compared to the APRÈS VILLAGE experience at the Four Seasons, it doesn't come close. The food menu is very limited, and food took quite a while to come out. There's also no option to make reservations, which was disappointing and made the experience feel less organized. That said, it's aesthetically pleasing enough for a few social media photos. Beyond that, it's nothing to make a big fuss over, and I can't say I'd go out of my way to return.

Photos
Cielo Rooftop Bar
Cielo Rooftop Bar - Sunset

Sunset

Cielo Rooftop Bar

See all

Straits - Santana Row - Signature Hainan Chicken Rice | $24 (Good poached chicken, rice was crunchy, broth was oddly citrusy.)

Straits - Santana Row

3.2(3.2k reviews)
2.6 miWest San Jose
$$$

My BFF took me shopping and afterwards we went to Straits. I had not eaten here and I was dying to…read moretry their Laxsa. It was much closer to what I had in Melbourne Australia where a LOT of Malaysians emigrated to. None of the other places I have tried in the US compared. We also ordered the spicy noodle dish with seafood. Lots of protein which was very helpful as we are both trying to have more protein and less carbs. (Doggone Rice and Noodles!!) We were very pleased with what we ate and of course our phenomenal service. The mocktails were great. No dessert because we were too full. I'm coming back for the crab. I wasn't dressed for messy food so I skipped it this time. Thanks for a lovely dinner, Straits!!! I'll bring my Aussie partner and make sure he is hungry. I'm sorry, I put my phone away because we were having a special day for my bday. But I will never forget what a nice meal I had at Straits.

Went to Straits for brunch on a Sunday and was pleasantly surprised to find it quiet and welcoming…read more It must've been before the rush hit so we were able to enjoy a quiet brunch with some hearty food. The chicken wings were incredible - albeit a little expensive for what we get - but we thoroughly enjoyed it. I ordered the bone marrow entree and it came with cubed filet mignon, lots of bread, and a salad. I thought this was quite good for the value and I had a leftovers for the next day. The Laksa Noodle Soup was also very filling and bright in the flavor.

Photos
Straits - Santana Row - Lounge Seating

Lounge Seating

Straits - Santana Row - Wok Wide Noodles

Wok Wide Noodles

Straits - Santana Row - A-Satay Chicken Skewers

See all

A-Satay Chicken Skewers

Alter Ego Cocktail Club & Still OG - A Mexican gin to make a bartender special

Alter Ego Cocktail Club & Still OG

4.4(298 reviews)
4.9 miDowntown
$$
Locally owned & operated
Pet friendly

This place is absolutely fantastic! I happened to stumble across it when looking for a cocktail bar…read morewith a good vibe. Not only are the cocktails special, the small bites menu is super tasty including the Shishito pepper skewers and the Takayoki. The staff are also super friendly and the bartenders are some of the best mixologists in town.

Alter Ego and Still OG might just be the most cleverly conceived bar concept in the city. Small and…read moreintimate, yes -- but every inch of it is intentional. Let's start with the drinks. The cocktail menu is inspired by records, and you can feel the creativity in every sip. These aren't your standard bar pours -- they're clearly thought out and crafted with personality. If you're someone who appreciates a drink with a story behind it, you'll be in your element here. The live DJ on weekends takes the whole experience to another level. The music isn't background noise -- it's part of the atmosphere, and it hits right. What makes this place truly special is that you're getting two completely different vibes under one roof. Walk into Still OG up front and you get a casual, laid-back energy -- easy conversation, good company, no pretension. Then slip into the speakeasy in the back and the whole mood shifts. Alter Ego is a proper intimate lounge with their full bar, and it feels like a world away from the street outside. The transition between the two spaces is surprisingly seamless and genuinely fun to experience. And they're open late, which puts them in a rare category of places actually worth staying out for. Whether you're there for a chill night out or a proper evening, this place delivers both without making you choose.

Photos
Alter Ego Cocktail Club & Still OG - Silk Sheets and Sweets $19

Silk Sheets and Sweets $19

Alter Ego Cocktail Club & Still OG - Asteroid Blues

Asteroid Blues

Alter Ego Cocktail Club & Still OG - 6/21/2024 symphony in black (mocktail of kyushu coffee) SO GOOD BEST BLACK SESAME COFFEE EVER wish i could drink this every morning

See all

6/21/2024 symphony in black (mocktail of kyushu coffee) SO GOOD BEST BLACK SESAME COFFEE EVER wish i could drink this every morning

Hotel Valencia Santana Row, Valencia Hotel Collection - Elevator hallway

Hotel Valencia Santana Row, Valencia Hotel Collection

3.7(840 reviews)
2.6 miWest San Jose
$$

In December, I was a little scrambled trying to figure out what to do for my birthday, and I…read morehonestly couldn't have landed in a better place. One night while I was at the bar, Victor, the manager I often see there, told me about the Christmas experience on the rooftop and suggested it as a great spot for a birthday get-together. He was absolutely right. The rooftop at the Valencia Hotel was perfect. It felt like a true winter wonderland. It was beautifully decorated, cozy, and festive. There were specialty Christmas cocktails, delicious hors d'oeuvres, and even whiskey tastings where you could sample different varieties. They had heaters everywhere and plenty of blankets, which made the whole experience warm and inviting despite the chilly weather. The service really stood out. The staff on the rooftop was just awesome. They were attentive, kind, and consistently checking in on us to make sure we had everything we needed. My friends had an amazing time ordering from the holiday menu (whether custom-created or seasonal, it was spot-on), and the overall vibe spot was a vibe! This was truly one of the best experiences I've had in a long time, and it made my birthday feel special without being stressful. Huge thanks to Victor and the entire rooftop team for creating such a memorable night. I'll absolutely be back--and recommending this place to everyone.

My sister and boyfriend got a hotel for the weekend for her birthday. After dinner we all went back…read moreto the Valencia BARand all 12 will NEVER GO BACK. First the bartender told my sister she can't sit on her boyfriend lap. Second they are WAYYYYYYY OVER PRICE.... Third bartender told my sister to to change the light back to blue. They have little laps on the table that change colors and she put it to the bright regular light so she can see and I told her to change it back to the dark blue.. It was my sisters birthday in and one of our friends end up drinking a little too much dancing a little loud, not rude, or being like the bad guy a troublemaker, but they kicked us out because she was too loud . so if you're trying to have a good time, lots of fun and not being picked on do not go to that bar.. the energy in there a little more was almost we were to go to be there and we did not appreciate that we just wanted to drink. Have fun and celebrate. And my husband made that bartender apologize to my sister is the one that told her to get off her boyfriends lap .

Photos
Hotel Valencia Santana Row, Valencia Hotel Collection - Fun cars in front of the Valencia.

Fun cars in front of the Valencia.

Hotel Valencia Santana Row, Valencia Hotel Collection - Bar floor

Bar floor

Hotel Valencia Santana Row, Valencia Hotel Collection - Patio Santa Clara High gathering.

See all

Patio Santa Clara High gathering.

Meso Modern Mediterranean

Meso Modern Mediterranean

3.9(1.1k reviews)
2.7 miWest San Jose
$$$
Grab-and-go
Full bar

This was my first time visiting Meso Modern Mediterranean. They are located in Santana Row Shopping…read morePlaza next the Cinemark Theaters. We met up with friends to celebrate belated birthday. A nice outdoor patio with abundant seating. As you enter into the entrance, you are promptly greeted by the host/manager. The ambience is nice and elegant. The service was nice, but unfortunately, it started off bad as our server didn't know our table was in her section. We waited about 15-20 minutes before we flagged another waiter down to see if he could take our order or send our server to our table. Turmeric Roasted Cauliflower: labneh, honey, orange suprêmes, mint (5/5). This was to die for! OMG. So flavorful and roasted perfection. Roasted Beet And Walnut Salad: red and gold beets, labneh, walnut salsa verde, sherry vinaigrette (4/5). Spiced Lamb Flatbread: yogurt, sumac onions, spicy zhoug , oven roasted tomato, sprouts (4/5). Pomegranate Glazed Salmon: cauliflower purée, shaved root vegetables, pomegranate relish (5/5). This was delicious! Mediterranean Branzino -"A La Plancha": spicy zhoug , lemon garlic tzatziki (4/5). Icecream with Dubai Chocolate - chocolate, rosewater, and another flavor. This was so delicious! Everything was very good! We will be back! Support your local business.

spent belated mothers day here, they were out of some dishes due to the high rush they had for…read moremothers day, but I really enjoyed their food I really wanted to get their branzino, but I wanted something with leas fish bones, and the waited suggested the dourade, which came with the same sides as the branzino. still had some bones, but was very tasty, especially paired with their sides and the sauce. Their flat breads are also very good, even though a but small, both the lamb and mushroom are really good. The potatoes were a nice little side dish, and their half chicken za'atar was still a huge portion. Will definitely will want to be back and try out their other dishes! Service was amazing! And store was nice and well decorated.

Photos
Meso Modern Mediterranean
Meso Modern Mediterranean
Meso Modern Mediterranean

See all

Danawa - asianfusion - Updated May 2026

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...