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Gaijin Chicago Tripadvisor Reviews
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16 Reviews
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Come for the Okonomiyaki, or just for dessert, and don’t skip the world-class pickled veggies.
Gaijin, located in the West Loop, below the Morgan Street CTA Station, specializes in Okonomiyaki - a savory Japanese pancake traditionally made on a hot metal cooking surface called a teppan. Okonomiyaki aren’t the only standouts on Gaijin’s menu. Salmon and beef rib starters were delicious. And chef-owner Paul Virant authored a book on preserving called The Preservation Kitchen, so don’t miss the pickled veggies. Not in the mood for savories? Gaijin is a destination restaurant for dessert! Kakigōri, shaved ice dessert with flavored syrups, and chewy satisfying mochi donuts are the stars of the dessert menu. The glazed rice flour donuts are crispy outside and fluffy and chewy inside. And you can enjoy dessert with a steaming aromatic cup of Sparrow Coffee. You can imagine my surprise when shaved ice in the shape of a bear hit my table, because I misheard the server, so I was expecting it to be shaped like a pear. The tart cherries inside were a beautiful complement to the chocolate and caramel flavors. Gaijin is totally unique in Chicago’s restaurant scene, and worth a visit. Come for the Okonomiyaki, or just for dessert, and again, don’t skip the world-class pickled veggies. GAIJIN BY PAUL VIRANT 950 W Lake St, Chicago
Be the first to ReplyWorth the trip from Toronto
Fantastic meal. We had never had okonomiyaki but having lived in Asia and loving the food we were excited to try it. WOW. It was fantastic. We shared a variety of dishes and were thrilled with them all. My only question was “when are you opening in Toronto?”
Be the first to ReplyService not good enough
Customer service needs to be improved. The waiter didn't even bother asking if it was our first time and didn't recommended any food on the menu. To find what looked good, we checked Yelp.
Be the first to ReplyWhen Simple is Done Well, It Can be Greatness. That is Definitely What Gaijin Achieved.
Tucked away under the loop, like many of our favorite bars and restaurants in the city, is Gaijin. Our experience at Gaijin was lovely. The menu had a great price range and a nice dish selection to choose from. Fantastic service and great flavors. Honestly, the biggest highlight of this restaurant would be the Okonomiyaki Japanese Pancakes and the Mochi Donuts. We frequently eat Japanese cuisine, and Gaijin was completely spot on with their flavors. Normally we wouldn't write about the deserts first, but the Mochi Donuts are definitely an honorable mention. The Maple Mochi donut was by far the best Mochi donut that we have ever had. The maple glaze was sweet, but it was not overwhelming in the slightest bit. The donut itself was so rich, dense, and filling that it could nearly be a meal for two! We definitely recommend ordering the Black Sesame Ice Cream to eat alongside the Mochi Donuts! The flavor combination is outstanding! The appetizers were decent. The Korroke was good and classic. We really admired how Gaijin stuck with traditional 日本人 flavor combinations, especially when in came to their Okonomiyaki Japanese Pancakes. The twice-cooked garlic was done well, but we wish the crackers served alongside it were made in house. Our waiter was sociable and helped us with any questions that we had. The setting of the restaurant was industrial and you really felt like its aesthetics worked perfect with the eatery's location. Everything was thought out properly, from the layout of the eatery itself, to the Hi-Chews that came alongside the check! Gaijin was simple and did not stray away from that fact. When simple is done well, it can be greatness. That is definitely what Gaijin achieved. We will definitely return for their Japanese Pancakes and Mochi donuts.
Be the first to ReplyTasty and fun!
What a unique experience! You don't see a real okonomiyaki restaurant just anywhere in the US. I loved the Hiroshima-style, while the Osaka-style was just okay for me (and we didn't finish it). While our food wasn't perfect, I'd definitely return to try more of the menu.
Be the first to ReplyGreat Lunch deal
I had a late lunch there before going to the airport (Midway's choices are poor and overpriced) They offer a $30 Japanese pancake meal with appetizer, soup and desert. The main course is very filling
Be the first to ReplyUnique and delicious
This was a really wonderful experience and something a little different and worth trying. The okonimyaki are done in two different styles and the karoke are delicious as well. If you want to try something that takes you to a different space then I really recommend this.
Be the first to ReplyGreat okonomiyaki in West Loop!
Chicago has plenty of sushi and ramen, but this is the first Japanese restaurant I found in Chicago that features okonomiyaki. Gaijin has three different types of Japanese pancakes with a whole array of toppings, making it easy for everyone to find something they like.
The Osaka-style okonomiyaki with shrimp was delicious and had a combination of many textures. I enjoyed it so much that I ordered a second one with octopus to-go. Gaijin has a whiskey highball on draft, which I think is a refreshing pairing for hot, savory food. There is table seating, bar seating, and the chef's counter, so you have the option of watching the chefs make your food. Gaijin is worth stopping by, especially for solo travelers, and I'll definitely visit again!
Chef Paul does it again
Maybe it’s because I’m a Paul Virant fan. Maybe it’s because I don’t know any better. But I have yet to eat anything at a Paul Virant restaurant and been disappointed. Benny B. took fabulous care of us. He told us everything we wanted to know (and then some) about the menu. Never having been to Japan I had no idea what to expect. But it was all outstanding. I got the traditional Hiroshima which was incredible. Bacon between cabbage and yakisoba noodles all sandwiched between these thin pancakes. Insane. Wife got the tasting menu which included okonomiyaki which I almost liked more than mine. Hard to do since mine was awesome. Not to mention the trio of pickles for a starter and the donut for dessert. Out 14th anniversary was at Vie in Western Springs and our 21st at Gaijin. We do Vistro Prime all the time. He totally killed it again. Another final shout out to Benny B. who was very fun and had a big personality which I loved. Definitely going back as soon as we can.
Be the first to ReplySavory Japanese pancakes take center stage
Gaijin, in what I’m told is the trendy West Loop area, serves up tasty Japanese food with a keen focus on okonomiyaki. These savory cabbage pancakes are available in two different styles, customized with the ingredients of your choice, made on a griddle and then transferred to your table’s own personal griddle to keep warm. There’s a tasting menu available, and honestly, I’m glad we passed since what we ordered was more than enough food. We split two of the shareable dishes between the two of us: twice cooked garlic served with puffed crackers and the bok choy plate. Both were delicious and played nicely off each other - the warm, spreadable garlic and the fresh and bright bok choy, which came in a delicate sauce that was so good, I wanted to mop up every last drop. My daughter and I both opted for the Osaka-style shrimp okonomiyaki. In this version, the ingredients are blended together and cooked on a griddle. The Hiroshima style features the ingredients in layers instead. The pancake is about the size of a dessert plate and comes dribbled with a slightly sweet and savory barbecue sauce. I fought hard to finish mine since I wasn’t in the mood to carry leftovers. Dinner here was a real treat and I was happy to try dishes I’d never seen before. The servers are excellent and they are happy to explain the menu in detail. Seating is currently limited to 90 minutes.
Be the first to ReplyTonkatsu Tuesday
We went for the tonkatsu which they only offer on Tuesdays. Our reservation was for 7pm. as soon as we were seated, our waitress told us they usually sell out of tonkatsu by 6:30 but fortunately for us, there were still a few servings left. That's what my companion ordered. I ordered the bok choy app to share and the octopus okonomiyaki with a couple add-ins: fried egg and udon, as recommended by our waitress. I wanted the smoked whitefish one but they were out of it. The tonkatsu was excellent and a quite generous portion which came with house-made sauce and pickles, shredded cabbage, plus a couple mounds of rice. It was very satisfying. My food was good too, though I though it was excessively salty.
Mu Gaijin 75 cocktail was tasty and pretty, served in a champagne coupe....very retro-looking. I wished there was a little more in the glass. We shared a mochi donut with matcha sauce for dessert. They are sticky inside and huge. I don't know if I would order one again. I think they maybe look better than they taste.
Service was prompt and friendly. The food came quickly after we'd ordered. The place is popular with a hipster crowd; there were also quite a few Asians there. It's loud. There are also a few tables out front in a semi-enclosed booth, right under the El tracks. Tables turn over pretty quickly; we were in and out in about an hour but did not feel rushed. And for a full-service "cheffy" restaurant in downtown Chicago, it's very reasonably priced. Dinner for 2 with tax and tip was just under $100.
Interesting addition to Japanese food category-Loud EL noise outside!!
Fortunately the chef was able to find an off-menu version that dealt with gluten intolerance.
Never had the cuisine before and enjoyed it, but are unlikely to return. The outdoor dining on Lake St is right under the EL and the dim made it almost impossible to communicate.
Virant swings for the fences and hiits a home run with Gaijin
Fortunate to have visited Vie in 2010, Chef Paul Virant has subsequently made his way into Chicago-proper, and at Gaijin the self-professed outsider opts to take on one of Japan’s most beloved Street Foods while furthering his exploration of fermentation and umami.
Now fifty years old, and dedicating the Restaurant in Fulton Market to his wife who introduced Virant to Okonomiyaki after years of study in Japan, guests will currently find Gaijin operating amidst COVID-19 precautions – social distancing assured from patio to Chef’s Counter and staff exceedingly efficient.
The Windy City’s first Okonomiyaki restaurant, but also home to Pickles, Shaved Ice and a serious Beverage program, it is amidst street style and modestly-loud Hip Hop that diners are invited to relax from 5pm Tuesday through Thursday and noon Friday till Sunday.
Capable of seating sixty, though currently limited to half-that, it was after some perusal that both Hiroshima and Osaka styles of the savory Japanese Pancake were ordered, their preparation just inches away showing far more complexity than some might expect and no shortage of traditional imported Ingredients.
Serious about the product’s authenticity it was by request that Osaka-style was served first, a topping of Shrimp, Corn and spiced Butter all married to a fluffy base by Kewpie with no two bites the same while Hiroshima-style further incorporated chewy Yakisoba Noodles, Katsuobushi and Bacon atop a nearly-French Crepe on the bottom.
Lively even in inclement weather, staff still having fun while practicing all recommended safety measures, Dessert at Gaijin comes from Vie’s Pastry Chef Angelyne Canicosa, the $5 Rice Flour Donut a questionable value in comparison to $12 for a snowcapped mountain of Shaved Ice wrapped around housemade Gooey Butter Cake Ice Cream and decorated in artisan accoutrements.
Love okonomiyaki and wanted
Love okonomiyaki and wanted to try it in America, and Gaijin did not disappoint. I called to reserve but none available but was told as a lone diner I could walk-in and get seated at the bar. Turned up 20mins and true to their word I was seated.
Ordered Hiroshima style - was delicious. Good sized portion and very oishi!
I would definitely come back and bring friends!
Awesome!
Wow. This is a fantastic restaurant! Paul Virant’s other venues (Vie and Vistro) are wonderful but this is awesome! The service was excellent and the food and drinks were incredible. This is a great place for a group...that way, you can order more food and try everything. I am looking forward to our next visit!
Be the first to ReplyJUst a fun place
Japanese okonomiyaki can sound daunting but the food is very approachable, tasty and fun. The hot plate table with uncomfortable chairs (that you can store your coat inside) added to the atmosphere but I would have been happy with normal tables. We ordered shared three small plates and 3 pancakes, two Osaka and one other, for four people. The bacon comes from Publican meats so I would highly recommend on of the several choices that include it. Then we shared one of the huge shaved ice ball desserts- cinnamon and apple; you've got to save room although better at least 2 people if not 3.
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