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    Pikunico

    4.1 (406 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 7:00 pm
    Updated 1 month ago

    Order Pikunico Takeout or Delivery

    Pikunico Photos

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    PIKUNICO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Hipster
    Casual
    Trendy

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    Recommended Reviews - Pikunico

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    Dave H.

    Da Bomb! Best Japanese fried chicken! If you been to Japan and had the karaage from the small take out places or even the popular Japanese convenience stores this place delivers. So Japanese and so delicious! Perfectly fried to perfection - thighs, wings and tenders. You can make it spicy too with a number of their dipping sauces and fresh slaw and side salads. So Jappy! So Good! Even beer and sake to have your little fried chicken picnic with. Super nice owner and staff. I'd eat here weekly if i was nearby! Cool interior seating and plenty of outdoor seating at ROW DTLA to take your fried Chicken karaage picnic to nosh on!. note serving size leans toward the Japanese sized serving as the quality is high here (organic and fresh) and fried fresh. Perfect not oily or greasy. It's about quality here not quantity. Perfect to fill your belly without guilt feeling like you've eaten too much fried greasy food. Fresh Yuzu lemonades too to freshen up the palette! Prices are very reasonable too. Plenty of parking at ROW parking structure.

    Maneki Wanko sake
    Ken L.

    Not very good chicken, seems most people eat here be cause they couldn't get into the other restaurants due to wait times. The tenders are a bit overcooked, and service is quite slow due to them having 1 cook for the entire meal service.

    Chicken Sandwich
    Janet K.

    Personally, this place was SO HARD to find that I had to check Google Maps and phone-in to ask where in the world is this place?! The worker answered the phone with the greeting, I asked where they are located, and strangely the worker saying "Hello?! Hello?!" and hung up. I would have appreciated if you said you don't understand! I later found out the person didn't speak English well and only understood how to take orders/ speak the menu... because he was the person who was also taking orders and I noticed he was ignoring all the phone calls while I was in line and could tell the limited English when I placed an order with him. This place is definitely understaffed because this man was handling the huge line, but expected to answer phone, and also give the food to customer. I came during lunch hour. The line was very long and the wait for the food long but I was pleased with my food. I ordered the chicken sandwich. The sandwich was nicely made and neatly packed with alfalfa sprouts and pickles. It was delicious. The downside was the experience and the price for this sandwich is pricey! I would only come back if I were in the area.

    Golden chicken sandwich
    Hannah C.

    Pikunico had one of the most unique chicken sandwiches I have ever had! This was an adorable store, with lots of natural lighting and plenty of tables and booths. You order at the cash register and pay before finding a seat. There was a short line on a weekend afternoon, but it moved quickly. The food took awhile to arrive, but this was understandable, as there were only a couple employees. I tried the roasted beets salad, with yuzukosho marinated beets, broccoli, and tamari walnuts. It was a perfectly standard salad, nothing too remarkable. The golden chicken sandwich, on the other hand, was truly memorable and unique. Just the shape of the chicken sandwich was really interesting: it almost had the cylinder shape of a burrito. The sandwich features a perfectly fried chicken on a turmeric bun, with pickled daikon, watercress, alfalfa sprouts, lemon aioli, jalapeño and miso jam. I really enjoyed the freshness of the daikon and sprouts with the juiciness of the chicken. The sandwich was gone way too quickly - every bite was filled with flavor! I can't wait to visit again and try the fried chicken on its own.

    The Golden Chicken Sandwich
    Anthony D.

    My gf and I unexpectedly visited Pikunico for the first time and were impressed! We weren't familiar with the menu because we planned to go to Pane Bianco, but they close earlier than we expected. We ordered the Golden Chicken Sandwich. It was packed with ingredients and bursting with flavor. We both enjoyed the strong pickled/vinegar flavor and agreed that neither of us have had a sandwich that tasted like quite like this. It has a lot going on, but comes together to make it a unique and tasty sandwich. The chicken karaage inside of it was well seasoned, but not particularly special. If not for the $1 up charge, I would've ordered the sandwich spicy. Overall I liked Pikunico, but it does feel a bit expensive.

    Interior
    Abigail D.

    Such a yummy spot located in the beautiful Row DTLA! I was craving a solid chicken sandwich and Pikunico exceeded my expectations with their spicy golden sandwich! Great amount of heat and the fresh sprouts and pickled veggies inside gave this sandwich so much flavor. The fries were also scrumptious. Excellent customer service. I would most definitely come back to try more off of the menu. Highly recommend!

    There Logo
    Sidney Z.

    In downtown LA there is this very hidden, isolated, secluded restaurant that you probably couldn't find with a NASA Interplanetary Navigation System. Yes, that's how "Phantom" Pikunico Japanese restaurant is. Tucked away on South Alameda Street this small cafe / bistro is making unbelievable -Sandwiches, Salads and Rice Bowls. Their entire menu is a "Hit Parade" of unusual yet delicious Asian fare. I had their: * Golden Chicken Sandwich Fried chicken on golden turmeric bun, pickled daikon, watercress, alfalfa sprouts, lemon aioli, jalapeño and miso jam...... that was the most remarkably eccentric sandwich I've ever tasted; and I mean that in the very best of ways! This sandwich had more things going on ingredient wise, so I would definitely call it a - Flavor Bomb". Pikunico was so clean and sterile I was duly impressed. These nice young people working here added to your experience in this small but yet very fantastic hidden gem.

    Nasiha A.

    Hidden gem located at the Row DTLA I stopped by here after shopping for some stuff. There is a lot of seating, and the staff was kind and friendly. The decor is so cute, lots of sunlight from the big windows. We got the golden chicken sandwich but made it spicy. The sandwich came out quick, it was nice and hot. The chicken was so crispy and inside was so juicy, it was perfect! it was actually spicy too! Nothing crazy spicy tho. I would def recommend coming here if you are in the area!

    Rashina Y.

    Stopped in for a quick dinner and had an overall solid experience. The chicken sandwich was served on fresh bread, with a nicely crispy piece of chicken and well-balanced layers of flavor from the sprouts and pickled vegetables. While the flavors worked well together, I did wish the chicken was more consistent from bite to bite. We also tried the spicy wings, which were enjoyable and had a pleasant crunch, though I wouldn't have minded them cooked just a bit longer. The heat level was there, but they could have benefited from a bit more depth of flavor. Overall, this is a decent spot offering reasonably priced food and a satisfying meal.

    Miso De Leche Cookie GF
    Antonio C.

    3.5/5: The food was great as the chicken sandwich was flavorful and filling and the salad was nice and fresh. With beer options I have not seen before and nice sweets for after your meal. The interior design is nice but it could be cleaner as many tables were dirty and no one was coming by anytime to wipe them down.

    Golden Chicken Sandwich (spicy)
    Poinci Z.

    Super flavorful and crispy chicken sandwich! I typically always choose the spicy option if it's available, and while I enjoyed the spicy version of the Golden Chicken Sandwich I think it would have been plenty flavorful getting it the regular way. The pickled radish and micro greens help cut the fried chicken. Friendly, quick staff and the tables are small but enough for a quick bite like this. Would come again :)

    Golden Chicken Sandwich
    Ashley S.

    The chicken was crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and I really liked the addition of alfalfa sprouts and these sour pickles. It gave the sandwich a nice twist!! The location is also very convenient since there's a big parking structure behind it with 2 hours free parking, and the spot itself was clean and quiet. I think it's definitely worth a visit if you're in the area.

    Chicken Bowl with seasoned egg, picked veggies and ginger rice . $16.50. added a ponzu sauce on the side for .50cents.
    Cobra Commander C.

    chicken was good ... worth the price... questionable.... but now a days there are so many of these places popping up and selling overpriced hype .

    Menu 9.25

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    2 months ago

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    Kuniko Y.

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    11 days ago

    Delish food and in a large are with lots of shops if I'm in the area I would go again. Customer service was spectacular.

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    Page 1 of 11

    Ask the Community - Pikunico

    Does the brown rice batter for the fried chicken contain any eggs? (wheat and egg allergy)

    we use eggs to marinade the chicken before frying so yes, includes eggs:( sorry.

    Is everything gluten free-other than the sandwich?(Celiac here)

    Yes as you said, just sandwich bread to be careful. we use brown rice based batter for fried chicken, the fryer is safe since we do my use any wheat products in them. All our… 

    Do they have any vegan options?

    I don't remember seeing a vegan option. Although they have veggie sides. FYI, I loves the sides.

    Will you be open on New Years Day?

    Is this location byob?

    Hi Gwen, Thanks for asking. Unfortunately, we are still waiting for our liquor license so alcohol cannot be consumed within our premises right now. We will soon be receiving… 

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    All'Antico Vinaio, a renowned Florence-based sandwich shop established in 1991, is celebrated for…read moreits generous schiacciata bread sandwiches, featuring imported Italian meats, cheeses, and spreads. This location on Wilshire Blvd in Koreatown is the smallest of the three I've visited, with under 10 seats available. It's a compact shop, and most customers opt for takeout. It's a narrow shop, and most customers take their orders to-go. I've previously enjoyed the La Paradiso and La Toscana, with the La Paradiso being my personal favorite. For our first visit with our son, we asked the staff for recommendations, and they suggested either the Venice Beach (Turkey) or the New Yorker (Roast Beef). The staff was incredibly generous, offering a roast beef sample, which our son loved! We also appreciated them providing ice and straws for our water. We ordered the New Yorker ($19.00) with roast beef, porcini cream, tomato, and arugula. The sandwich was thoughtfully cut in half, perfect for sharing. The schiacciata bread boasts a crispy exterior and a soft, chewy interior, which beautifully complements the meats and cheeses. We opted to substitute the porcini cream for mozzarella, which was sliced into perfect bite-sized pieces and tasted incredibly fresh. The roast beef was thinly sliced and tender, the tomatoes were fresh and sliced to perfection, and the arugula added a delightful peppery crunch. It's a well-balanced sandwich and one of the best in LA. We would definitely order it again. A big thank you to the female staff member who expertly cut the meat and offered samples, assisting us in making the perfect choice for my son's sandwich. This experience was truly a positive one for our family. I would definitely return to AAV for the excellent food and service. Given the small size of the shop, takeout is recommended, especially during peak hours. The sandwiches at AAV are so good! Fuggedaboutit!

    We visited last Sunday at the farmers market branch and were really disappointed with our…read moreexperience. The staff was rude, which was surprising since we were so excited to finally try this place. The sandwiches we ordered were just okay. I'm not sure if the bread supposed to be served really cold, but ours were, and they just weren't very good. Overall, the experience didn't live up to the hype, and unfortunately, we don't plan on coming back.

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    LA Broadway (without arugula and zucchini but mortadella added)
    LA Broadway (without arugula and zucchini but mortadella added)
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    Bay Cities Italian Deli

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    4.2
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    Yummy yummy I love deli sandwiches! This is a little Italian one,, we got two and split it!…read more - burrata caprese: I love burrata so loved this, was p basic w balsamic, tomatoes, basil - the godmother works: the store worker person suggested to us,, and ITS GOOD! If you go here, get this one. So so yum - had a bunchhh of diff meats and pickles lettuce tomatoes and some spices and stuff!! - vibe was v chill deli THE LORD IS always so kind but dude I love food & Carrie ! the Lord is sooo kind

    This Italian deli and market is a true staple in the community! I've been coming here for many…read moreyears, and growing up in the Santa Monica and Venice area, it's one of those places you simply have to know about. If you're visiting the area, I highly recommend making a stop here. My biggest piece of advice is to go early because it gets incredibly busy by lunchtime--and for good reason! Keep in mind they are closed on Monday and Tuesday. While you can order online, I'll always choose to go inside so I can browse everything they have to offer. Their selection of fresh pasta salads is fantastic, and the desserts are always tempting. Whether you're craving lasagna, spaghetti and meatballs, a chicken Parmesan sandwich, or one of their many other Italian specialties, you really can't go wrong. Be sure to check out the wine section in the back left of the market. It's extensive and absolutely incredible! This is the kind of place that keeps people coming back year after year, and it's easy to see why. Being Italian American and growing up with an Italian mother who loved feeding everyone, this was one of our favorite places to visit together. Those memories make every trip here even more special. My personal favorite is the Godmother sandwich--hands down one of the best you'll ever have. It's packed with flavor, made with quality ingredients, and it's the sandwich I find myself craving every time I come back. One of the things I love most about this place is the atmosphere. It has an energy that immediately makes you think of family. Everyone is genuinely kind, welcoming, and happy to help, making you feel right at home the moment you walk through the door. It has that warm, old-school Italian family vibe that's becoming harder and harder to find, and it's a big part of what makes this place so special.

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    Bay Cities Italian Deli
    The Godmother (Large)
    The Godmother (Large)
    Godmother (Large)

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    The Heights Deli & Bottle Shop 2 Glassell Park

    The Heights Deli & Bottle Shop 2 Glassell Park

    4.5
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    Easy. Fast. Satisfying…read more And...Mom approved! I didn't want to make dinner after a long day at work and then running my kid to an activity. It was getting late, so while I waited for the kid in the car at their activity, I went on The Heights website found an order form and placed an order for some sammies all in 5 minutes. I didn't even ask the hubs or the vegetarian kid what they wanted. I went with what I thought they'd like. 15-minutes later, I was picking the sandwiches up at the walk-in only shop. There was no line and better yet, they were wrapped up and ready to go when I walked in. The smiling lady asked if I wanted napkins or utensils. They have case after case of cold drinks so we picked out a couple of drinks, paid for those and left. It was easy and fast. Enjoyed the yumminess at home. I normally would save a half for another meal but my "Pasadena" hit the spot that I finished it up all at once. Quality bread, meats, cheese, fillings aka all the ingredients...to boot! PS the kid loved theirs and so did the hub. Thanks for making dinner: easy and delicious! There are no pictures because it was too delicious to take the time out and take any. Just order.

    This gem is no secret but seriously awesome. The sandwiches are always delicious and the workers…read moreare always so kind. I love all the artisan and craft beers and canned drinks available, always fun to look at them. My go to sandwich spot when in the area.

    Photos
    Wine and beer wall
    Wine and beer wall
    Lacy St Sandwich
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    Sit while you wait

    Pikunico - japanese - Updated July 2026

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