Review of Daiu: Brighton’s hot pot hot spot

Squid and shrimp bbq at Daiu Brighton

Black Lion Street in Brighton’s Lanes has some long-established hospitality businesses, writes Nick Mosley.

At the top of the road, there’s The Cricketers and Black Lion pubs that have been popular watering holes for many years. Pho – a Vietnamese restaurant chain that chose Brighton for one of its first outlets outside of London – has now been trading for a decade and continues to go from strength-to-strength with hearty bowls of steaming rice noodle soups and appetisers.

And, of course, Lucky Voice – still the best private-room karaoke cocktail bar in god’s universe, in my humble opinion – has facilitated laughing, crying and tune-belting. It’s where I perfected my Beyoncé, Whitney and Jennifer Hudson; watch out ladies.

One unit that has seen mixed fortunes is number 11 Black Lion Street. With two floors, its one of the largest purpose-built restaurant spaces in the city centre and has seen Jamie’s Italian fail followed by a fairly short-lived Jamaican themed eatery that – on my one and only visit – had such dismal service that I left before actually putting anything in my mouth.

Vegetables at Daiu Brighton

I don’t know how the new occupant of number 11 has passed me by but on a recent shuffle down the road I saw that Daiu hotpot and BBQ restaurant had opened. Little Miss Greedy Guts reliably informed me that it had actually been open for close to a year so maybe I should use my eyes more. Clearly time for a visit to Specsavers…

I’ve had the privilege of visiting Japan, Thailand, Vietnam and South Korea multiple times and the hot pot and bbq concept is an essential part of the food culture there with everyone on the table getting stuck in with a shared bbq plate and steaming broth pot for meat and vegetables. Its a real family affair.

At Daiu everyone gets there own station to cook on. Its kind of like lining up at the casino and playing on the slots. Its a wonderfully fun, interactive idea that’s very well executed.

BBQ meats at Daiu Brighton

Also in the Far East, in my experience at least, you typically order items – think yakitori sticks and slivers of meat and vegetables – then they are brought to your table for you to cook at your leisure. Daiu’s concept is buffet style so you head to chillers and pick and choose for yourself, loading up small plates with every possible vegetable and meat option you can think of. This is next level buffet dining.

Little Miss Greedy Guts and I went early doors – Daiu opens at 4.30pm during the week and from noon at weekends and bank holidays – so we had the benefit of seeing an unbelievably vast and impressive spread of exciting fresh food. Its a feast for the eyes as much as the belly.

Chillers packed with vegetables – I highly recommend the mushrooms pot – alongside fresh seafood, fish balls, a butcher’s shop of pork, beef and chicken, a station where you can make your own dipping sauces, appetisers, sushi, desserts… there is a mind-boggling amount of choice. And, yes, there are fries too…

Greedy Guts piled up a couple of bowls – then a couple more, and then a couple more – although some instruction was required about how to actually cook as her repertoire pretty much begins and ends with beans on toast. At times, I felt I was feeding a squawking chick.

Hot pot cooking at Daiu Brighton - credit Daiu

On my bbq plate, I rustled up some mighty fine fresh shrimp and finely sliced sirloin steak while my greens and mushrooms gently bubbled in a beef broth. There really is no questioning that the quality is 100% there.

They are very allergen aware with everything marked on the buffet plus a separate allergen card and very well-informed staff, however I would be conscious as someone with a gluten intolerance as some diners were less than considerate with the shared serving utensils. That said, vegetarians and vegans definitely won’t be leaving hungry; there is a lot of choice with fresh vegetables.

BBQ plate cooking at Daiu Brighton - credit Daiu

For £35 per person you get two hours of munching. Children under the age of 13 – and under the height of 150cm – dine for £25. Based on my visit, I would highly recommend booking in advance as even mid-week the place was packed.

The quality, variety and price-point is bang-on. Its also really entertaining to cook your own food at your own very own station. Whilst not perhaps everyone’s cuppa tea – and lets face it what restaurant ever can claim to be – its a fantastic addition to Brighton’s food scene and one that I think pretty much everyone will enjoy not just for the food but also the hands-on experience that is a real talking point whether friends, a date or a group activity.

Daiu’s combination of tasty food and interactive cooking fun definitely makes this a go-to Brighton hot-spot this summer.

Daiu, 11 Black Lion Street, Brighton BN1 1ND

01273 030 168 • www.daiu.co.uk/brighton/