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

79 Reviews

$30 and under

Japanese

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2 people

18 Dec 2024

7:00 pm

Booked 57 times today

Experiences are available.

Neighbourhood gem
Lively
Great for creative cocktails

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!

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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

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Experiences

Collaboration Night: Paul Kahan & Rob Levitt
19 Dec 2024 only
Gaijin is thrilled to welcome James Beard Award-winning Chef Paul Kahan and Chef Rob Levitt of Publican Quality Meats in on Thursday, December 19, for the fifth installment of our Chef Collaboration series! Chef Paul and Chef Rob will be in house from 6 - 8 p.m. to showcase their osaka-style okonomiyaki special. This is a one-night-only opportunity you won't want to miss!
Gaijin+Rare Tea Cellars Alcohol-free Tasting Menu
USD 95.00 per person
16 Jan 2025 only
Escape the ennui of Dry January with a five-course tasting menu + alcohol-free beverage pairings, featuring the remarkable teas and culinary ingredients available exclusively from Rare Tea Cellars. This one-night-only dining experience will showcase a dynamic progression of beverages created from fine and specialty ingredients without the use of spirits (or alcohol-free spirits!), and each dish will exhibit the delicately balanced, rich, and aromatic flavors that teas and infusions bring to Japanese cuisine. This menu is a true partnership between food and beverage, and a celebration of the exceptional flavors carefully sourced and imported by our friends at Rare Tea Cellars. Please note that menu price includes beverage pairings.

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 79 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

4.7Food
4.7Service
4.6Ambience
4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Gaijin offers a unique Japanese dining experience in Chicago, famed for its authentic "okonomiyaki" and "creative menu." Guests praise the "delicious food," "charming atmosphere," and "attentive service," particularly from standout servers like Orlando. While vegetarians may find limited options, the diverse menu and vibrant ambiance make it a must-visit.

79 Reviews

P
Parag
VIP
Los Angeles
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined 4 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Totally unique experience and really good food!! All of us had an amazing time :)
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L
Lauren
VIP
Chicago
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on 10 December 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Everything start to finish was perfect! This was my 3rd time dining there and each time I have come with different people who have all loved it and have been return customers. Our servers suggestions were all perfect. I will absolutely be back with more first time diners. Keep up the great work Gaijin!
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OT
OpenTable Diner
VIP
Chicago
2 reviews
2.0
2 reviews
Dined on 8 December 2024
1. Overall 2
2. Food 4
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 4
Good food - really bad service! Waiter was annoyed and condescending when we asked questions about the menu.
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M
Matt
Chicago
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 3 December 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The food, service, recommendations by our server & cocktails were all fantastic!
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a
alice
Chicago
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on 1 December 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
delicious food, great atmosphere, all staff was so kind and welcoming.
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F
FRANK
VIP
Chicago
94 reviews
5.0
94 reviews
Dined on 25 November 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Can’t go wrong at Gaijin! Absolutely delicious food and very reliable service. It’s great the way new collaborative menus keep the offerings fun and interesting. Our server, Milan was outstanding.
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J
John Karl
Chicago
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on 24 November 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great Okonomiyaki, just wish there was more ability to customize the order. Hiroshima-style seafood mix option?
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T
Taylor
Chicago
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 22 November 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great food, atmosphere, and people. Highly recommend anyone goes to gaijin.
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D
Denise
Chicago
26 reviews
5.0
26 reviews
Dined on 22 November 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Sat at the counter and saw all the action which is so fantastic!!!
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J
Jai
VIP
Chicago
23 reviews
3.0
23 reviews
Dined on 18 November 2024
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 2
We were all vegetarian and wanted a good experience. While many of the veggie options are ok, everything had a strong smell of eggs, which two of our party did not enjoy. The food was reasonably tasty. I would not recommend this to a vegetarian.
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FAQs

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Gaijin is rated 4.7 stars by 79 OpenTable diners.