Gaijin

Name: Gaijin
Address: 950 W Lake St, Chicago, IL, United States, 60607
Telephone: (312) 265-1348
Price range: $30 and under
Rating: 4.7

4.7

97 Reviews

$30 and under

Japanese

Make a booking

2 people

21 Jan 2025

7:00 pm

Booked 49 times today

Experiences are available.

Neighbourhood gem
Charming
Innovative

Gaijin by Chef Paul Virant is Chicago’s first okonomiyaki restaurant, offering both Hiroshima and Osaka styles of the savory Japanese pancake. A self-described gaijin, or “outsider” in Japanese, Virant playfully embraces this perspective and honors traditional preparations and techniques, as well as his well-known passion for pickling and preserving.

Designed to deliver a lively and interactive culinary experience, the 60-seat space is anchored by a custom 12-foot griddle and chef’s counter and offers individual Hiroshima teppan griddles for table service.

The dessert menu features kakigori, a shaved ice dessert, along with mochi donuts and other Japanese-inspired treats. The bar program showcases highballs and a focused selection of beer – including a Moody Tongue-Gaijin collaboration house lager, sake, Japanese whisky, and wine.

We can’t wait to see you at Gaijin!

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Japanese, Okonomiyaki, Asian
Hours of Operation
Mon–Fri 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Sat, Sun 11:00 am–10:00 pm Happy Hour Mon–Thu 4:00 pm–6:00 pm
Phone number
(312) 265-1348
Website
https://gaijinchicago.com/
Dress code
Casual Dress

Location
950 W Lake St, Chicago, IL 60607
Area
West Loop
Parking details
None
Public transit
Morgan Green Line

Gift card

Send gift cards instantly by email or print to present in person.

Send a gift card

Experiences

Chicago Restaurant Week 2025
USD 30.00 - USD 45.00 per person
24 Jan 2025 - 9 Feb 2025
Join us for Chicago Restaurant Week January 24 - February 9! Enjoy our three-course lunch menu for $30 Saturday and Sunday, or jump into the full Gaijin experience with a four-course dinner menu for $45 daily.
Chef Collaboration Night: Hisanobu Osaka
20 Feb 2025 only
Gaijin is thrilled to welcome Chef Hisanobu Osaka of Miru in on Thursday, February 20th, for the sixth installment of our Chef Collaboration series! Chef Osaka will be in house from 6 - 8 p.m. to showcase his unique osaka-style okonomiyaki special. This is a one-night-only opportunity you won't want to miss!
Chef Collaboration Night: Brian Jupiter
20 Mar 2025 only
Gaijin is thrilled to welcome Chef Brian Jupiter of Frontier and Ina Mae Tavern & Packaged Goods in on Thursday, March 20th, for the seventh installment of our Chef Collaboration series! Chef Jupiter will be in house from 6 - 8 p.m. to showcase his unique osaka-style okonomiyaki special. This is a one-night-only opportunity you won't want to miss!

Offers

Try Our Happy Hour Specials Starting At $5!
Multiple dates available
Mon - Thu - 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Join us Monday through Thursday, 4 p.m. - 6 p.m., for selected highballs, sake, draft beer, starters and share plates, starting at $5. Reservations are recommended, but walk-ins are also welcome.

What 97 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7

4.7 based on recent ratings

4.6Food
4.7Service
4.5Ambience
4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Gaijin offers a "unique twist on delicious Japanese food" with standout okonomiyaki and an impressive drink selection. Guests rave about its "outstanding food and ambience," attentive service, and authentic flavors reminiscent of Japan. Chef Paul Virant's expertise shines, creating a "fantastic meal and experience" that keeps patrons returning for more.

97 Reviews

C
Carol
VIP
Chicago
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The food was DELICIOUS! We had the Hiroshima style okonomiyaki snd Negiyaki, also don’t miss out on the Kinako mochi donut! They have an array of Japanese whiskeys too. Stella and her crew are AMAZING! Will definitely go back!
Is this helpful?
B
Birute
VIP
San Diego
24 reviews
5.0
24 reviews
Dined 5 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Went for the 5 course + rare tea cellar alcohol-free tasting menu. Everything was delicious.
Is this helpful?
N
Nikole
VIP
Chicago
23 reviews
5.0
23 reviews
Dined on 12 January 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
I had a great birthday dinner with my husband on a cold January evening. Service was great. We got great advice on how to portion the meal. We ordered the Gaijin experience and I loved having the option on the courses to order a different option than my husband. Great experience and I will be going back.
Is this helpful?
BL
BrianL
Greater Boston
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on 11 January 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 3
Food was delicious and the service was very good.
Is this helpful?
M
Michael
Atlanta Metro
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 31 December 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
mmm tasty okonomiyaki and good drinks. Interesting whiskey collection, def request the whiskey book
Is this helpful?
I
Isaias
Chicago
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on 30 December 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Has visited this place many times working in the neighborhood. Drink specials are fantastic and food is great. I just think they need some better app options to cut the fatty, rich, umami dense entree options.
Is this helpful?
D
Dennesia
Chicago
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 30 December 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Even though we were passed late for our reservation we still were seated immediately upon entering. The food was excellent and because it was my birthday, my husband and I were given complimentary champagne and some delicious cookies and cream ice cream that was made in house. Thank you Gaijin and staff for helping make my special day even more special!
Is this helpful?
J
Jeff
VIP
Chicago
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on 27 December 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Unique twist on delicious Japanese food. Waiter was personable.
Is this helpful?
F
FRANK
Chicago
95 reviews
5.0
95 reviews
Dined on 23 December 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Love this place and will continue to be regulars. Outstanding food and ambience. Always a nice experience.
Is this helpful?
S
Sonja
Chicago
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on 22 December 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great tasting food. The service was very attentive.
Is this helpful?

FAQs

You can order delivery directly from Gaijin using the Order Online button.

Gaijin is rated 4.7 stars by 97 OpenTable diners.