Daniel San, Manly

It’s been a while since our last visit to Daniel San, but this eclectic Japanese joint has lost none of its buzz over the years and is still bustling when we dropped by to try out their Sakura, Sakura! menu on offer during Daniel San’s Cherry Blossom Festival which is running during September.

There’s plenty of seating inside (split into a bar area and restaurant area), even with a live musician performing and arcade games up the back and the ceiling fixtures are nicely decked out with faux cherry blossoms to get into the theme.

We soon find out exactly how seriously Daniel San is taking their “perfectly pink” theme with their Sakura Sakura menu offering – first up are the Sakura Pork Bao Bun featuring fluffy pink bao encasing 12 hour slow cooked pork belly and an addictive umami-heavy cashew sauce drizzled over the pickled cucumber. The pork was tasty, but chewier than we expected.

Sakura Pork Bao Bun $15.5

The Sakura Smoked Salmon Roll is a slightly more natural take on the pink theme, with the salty smoked salmon slivers, fish roe and crab stick blending in among the vividly pink rice (which thankfully didn’t taste any different!)

Sakura Smoked Salmon Roll $20

For our sweet treat, we couldn’t go past the Sakura Taiyaki which came out piping hot with melted Nutella inside the soft fish shaped dough and dollops of extra Nutella on the side just in case for that extra hit.

Sakura Taiyaki $8

The drinks on offer at Daniel San are pleasingly in theme, although you are definitely in danger of getting a brain freeze if you opt for the vibrantly coloured Sakura Frozen Cocktail like we did. The pre-mixed Koyomi Highball went down a treat, with the refreshing blood orange and bitters blended nicely with shochu.

Sakura Frozen Cocktail, $10 and Koyomi Highball $12.5

A night out at Daniel San is always fun and with the Sakura Sakura menu on offer in addition to their regular menu to celebrate their Cherry Blossom Festival, there’s something for everyone on the food and drinks front (especially those who think pink!) as you soak up the neon lights and atmosphere right by the beach.

Excuse Me Waiter dined as guests of Daniel San

Daniel San
55 North Steyne
Manly NSW 2095
Phone:(02) 9977 6963