The team behind three popular D.C. Japanese restaurants—Daikaya, Bantam King, and Haikan—is branching out. The Daikaya Group has signed a lease for the former Graffiato space at 707 6th St. NW in Chinatown. It’s next door to their first restaurant, Daikaya. 

Partners Daisuke Utagawa, Chef Katsuya Fukushima, and Yama Jewayni are putting their heads together to determine the focus of the new project. More information will be released at a later date. They will be utilizing both floors of the restaurant space. 

“It’s a no brainer for us to take next door because it’s next door,” Utagawa says. “We want to have that opportunity to keep the cool vibe of the area.” 

The forthcoming restaurant isn’t the only project bubbling up for the ramen-obsessed restaurant group. Hatoba, a Sapporo-style ramen shop, should open in Navy Yard this winter and is currently the group’s main focus.

“Expanding in Washington is also a no-brainer,” Utagawa continues. “I’ve been here since 1983 at Sushiko and Katsuya and Yama are local too.” 

Restaurants on that block of 6th Street NW are especially popular during games and performances at Capital One Arena, as well as with the after work, happy hour crowd.