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46 Reviews
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This place was busy but a vibe.
We took a chance at this place by googling since we were in town for work. Food was good and service wasn't bad.
Be the first to ReplyFood is very tasty, not too salty.
Great service as well. Price very adequate for west loop. Will go back to try the rest of the items of the menu.
Be the first to ReplyAll around wow! I had heard about Hiroshima Okonomiyaki
All around wow! I had heard about Hiroshima Okonomiyaki and was curious to try it. I thought it would be a long shot to find this traditional Japanese dish, and was ecstatic when I found Gaijin (which means foreigner in Japanese). I booked a reservation in front of the flattop. Which gave us a front row seat to watch the chefs layer these mouthwatering sweet and savory creations. Dinner and a show! The Hiroshima Okonomiyaki was unlike anything I have ever put in my mouth. Such a variety of flavors, that combine in a new and interesting way. And the presentation of it is incredible. Great Food, Great Service, Great Ambiance. Will be returning.
Be the first to ReplyGrowing up, my grandmother's Okonomiyaki was the epitome of
Growing up, my grandmother's Okonomiyaki was the epitome of comfort food, a dish that carried the warmth of home in every bite. It was a family tradition, a recipe passed down through generations, and I thought nothing could ever compare. That was until I visited Gaijin Chicago. Despite having ventured to Wakayama and Osaka, where Okonomiyaki is a culinary staple, I found that those experiences, though delightful, didn't quite capture the essence I was searching for. The flavors were there, but the soul was missing. Then, Gaijin Chicago happened. From the very first bite, it was clear that this was not just food; it was an experience. Each bite was perfection, a harmonious blend of flavors that transported me back to my childhood kitchen, watching my grandmother cook. The chefs at Gaijin have achieved something remarkable - they've taken a classic dish and elevated it to a level that surpasses even the fond memories of my grandmother's cooking. The Okonomiyaki here is not just a meal; it's a masterpiece. It's a reminder that food is an art, and when done right, it can evoke emotions and memories that are deeply ingrained in our hearts. Thank you, Gaijin Chicago, for not just feeding me, but for giving me a taste of nostalgia that I thought was lost. Your Okonomiyaki is a tribute to tradition and a testament to the magic that happens when a dish is prepared with passion and precision.
Be the first to ReplyIt's decent okonomiyaki, but does not reach the level of
It's decent okonomiyaki, but does not reach the level of GREAT okonomiyaki. Kinda scratches the itch of wanting okonomiyaki in Japan but y'know, it's maybe only 80-85% of the way there. We did try like 6 different okonomiyakis amongst our table. Worth a visit though. I will say we absolutely loved the shaved ice with the black sesame - that was crazy delicious; I could've skipped the pandan mochi donut, it was very heavy/dense.
Be the first to ReplyAmazing all around! Top service and food.
Sitting at the bar, I whispered to my boyfriend that I found a chicken bone in my food. No big deal it was small and not unheard of with fresh chicken. The manager came running over and apologized and made me a whole new one. Please try their donuts they are out of this world. They're also very accommodating to gluten free allergies and cannot wait to come back for happy hour!
Be the first to ReplyGaijin is my favorite restaurant to try good Japanese
Gaijin is my favorite restaurant to try good Japanese cuisine. This was my second visit to Gaijin where I tried a lot of dishes from their menu. I visited this place for dinner on a weekday so we could easily walk-in but I'll recommend to make a reservation if you're planning on visiting this place over the weekend as West Loop usually is very busy. We tried Osaka style Tofu Okonomiyaki, Vegetable Tempura and Veggie Yakisoba with Udoon noodles as their thin noodles have egg. Everything we tried was Vegan and they could customize a lot of the dishes to accommodate our dietary restrictions. The taste was so good, especially the tofu Okonomiyaki. We loved the silken texture on the inside and crispy on the outside. We were almost full because we ordered a lot but my friend and I couldn't stop eating the Udoon noodles. We loved how generous they were with the sesame seeds that were sprinkled over the dish. For drinks, my friend ordered a Uka Sparkling Sake and I ordered an Ube Sparkling lemonade. The drinks were very refreshing. The Sake was so smooth, I will definitely order it on my next visit. Overall, it is a great place to explore Japanese cuisines. The ambiance is like a typical Asian place. I recommend it 11/10!
Be the first to ReplyReally interesting! Creative food that I feel like I
Really interesting! Creative food that I feel like I haven't seen elsewhere. The staff is happy to explain everything. Yum! The atmosphere is active and vibrant if a little crowded, but it's nice and casual. We had a great time and definitely didn't go home hungry!
Be the first to ReplyGaijin, located in the West Loop, below the Morgan Street
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 ReplyHole in the wall kinda place! Service is great and food is
Hole in the wall kinda place! Service is great and food is top notch. The Okonomiyakis are amazing
Be the first to ReplyThe mochi donuts are incredible.
The pancakes that they hang their laurels on are not very good.... I just wasn't really there for it. Could've been a preference thing but I didn't like it and it saves horribly.
Be the first to ReplyGaijin is hands down an outstanding restaurant.
I wasn't sure what to expect, and every bite exceeded my expectations by far. I have never been to a restaurant with such great flavors and such incredible presentation. The food was amazing and the flavors were to die for along with the delicious cocktails that were all on the menu!!! Now for the service....our server, and the owner chef were amazing. Catering to our every whim and so helpful with choice selection on the menu. The entire staff was hospitable and ensured that we were taken care of every step of the way. I would go to Gaijin again and again and again! If I could give 10 stars to this extremely delicious restaurant with a cool vibe, I would!
Be the first to ReplyLively vibe and tasty bites like you've never had.
Simple and delish - don't want to miss this global experience.
Be the first to ReplyI've been wanting to try Gaijin since I moved to Chicago
I've been wanting to try Gaijin since I moved to Chicago last year and am so glad I finally went!The restaurant sits right on Lake under the L tracks but once you step inside you're transported somewhere else. The restaurant is well laid out with small griddles at each table.The service was okay, nothing to rave about but the staff was friendly nonetheless. We did wait quite a while after our meal was done to get the check. We had wanted to order another cocktail but couldn't find our server so we decided to cash out instead.The food itself was great. It reminded me of quite a lot of cuisine I've had on the streets in Japan. The dishes were flavorful and appropriately portioned. Having the griddle at the table was a fun way to make it more experiential while ensuring the food stayed hot as you ate. Overall, I was happy to finally get to Gaijin after so long. It was certainly worth the visit and somewhere unlike anything else in Chicago!
Be the first to ReplyGaijin is possibly some of the best Japanese food I've ever
Gaijin is possibly some of the best Japanese food I've ever eaten. I've been here multiple times! We did the restaurant week menu once and that was awesome. All the vegetarian options were fantastic and I couldn't be more thankful. Love the cute and comfy seating! All the flavours of the mochi donuts are absolutely amazing. And the okonomiyaki is out of this world. Couldn't believe that the vegetarian option would taste so good. Service was great, we got some cocktails and a bottle of wine too! Can't wait to go back.
Be the first to ReplyCustomer service was excellent from the time I walked in to
Customer service was excellent from the time I walked in to when we left. Ordered Shrimp Osaka Style Okonomiyaki and Shrimp Yakisoba Plate with a cherry pop drink and Mochi balls for dessert. The strawberry mocha ball is delicious love it !!
Be the first to ReplyWe came here with our family and had a great time.
The food was amazing, the service was quick and friendly, and we felt like we were transported to another world. I'd definitely recommend this place for anyone looking for a little taste of Japan in their own backyard!
Be the first to ReplyEntry is in the alley so you aren't going to see it from
Entry is in the alley so you aren't going to see it from the street. Reservations are a good idea here. They have a mix of seating including some bench booths with chairs and some counter seating where you can watch them cook. Some tables have a cooking surface to help keep your food nice and warm. Good for small groups. From the starters:Marinated Beef Ribs - boneless cuts of rib which were tender and really flavorful with rice sprinkled with some furikake. Not the biggest portion - I'd say share with up to 3 folks.Bok Choy - a nice plate with some crispy garlic (mmm). Gotta eat. your veggies. Small plate - can be shared.Gaijin Sunomono - some pickled veggies. It's alright. Small dish of it.Kim-chi - housemate and delicious. Small dish of it.From the Osaka-style Okonomiyaki - think cabbage pancake.Chicken - chicken confit mixed all in and drizzled with kewpie and sauce - topped with bonitoBeef - 21 day dry aged slow cook mixed all in and drizzled with kewpie and sauce - topped with bonitoShrimp - tempura fried with some cornHonestly - the flavors were all pretty similar with the saucing and the bonito. Still pretty good.From the Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki - layer that baby:Traditional - yakisoba noodles on the bottom with cabbage on top and bacon. YumMushroom and Yuba - yakisoba noodles on the bottom, cabbage and a mushroom-Yuba-egg mixI think I actually prefer the Hiroshima style to the Osaka. HOWEVER . . .Negiyaki - savory scallion pancakes. Oh yeah this was my favorite. both the traditional or the mushroom/yuba.The donuts for dessert were decadent. Liked the King's cake special that was a nod to Mardi Gras. The coffee was nice because it had that bitterness that help cut the sweet. The chocolate was just decadent. Note these are mochi donuts so they have a pretty good chew to them.Seasonal Kakigori was a large bowl of miso honey ice cream with shaved ice covering it (a lot of ice) that had blood orange syrup, honeycomb and smoked honey. Dump some condensed milk on it and you've got a serious sugar bomb.
Be the first to ReplyThis is a cool spot in West Loop's Fulton Market, though I
This is a cool spot in West Loop's Fulton Market, though I would say it's better for the ambience/vibes than for the food. It's usually crowded, so come with a reservation. The lighting is dim and the seating is low before a steel hot plate (where the Okonomiyaki is placed)-- an intimate setting. The service is attentive and friendly throughout.We ordered the Sweet Potato starter, which was good--balanced in texture and flavor: soft, slightly sweet and savory. But in general, the starters are pricey for such small portions-- not quite worth it.For Okonomiyaki, we got the Tofu Osaka-Style Okonomiyaki and Mushroom/Yuba Hiroshima-Style Okonomiyaki. The Hiroshima-Style is similar to Osaka-Stlye but layered differently and adding yakisoba noodles. Overall, I expected the pancakes to have a fuller, more nuanced flavor profile, but both fell short. Maybe the meat options here are more flavorful, but the vegetarian options at least could have had bolder flavors.That being said, I found the Osaka-Style's flavor profile more compelling. The tofu on the Osaka-Style pancake was also a strong addition, with crispy textures and rich flavors. To me, the Hiroshima-Style was just salty--otherwise quite bland-- and the noodles interfered with the taste experience. It's a matter of personal preference though, as my partner liked the Hiroshima-Style better. The Okonomiyaki prices seemed pretty fair for the size.The desserts were the highlight-- we got the Matcha-Pandan-Ube mochi donut (a special for mardi gras), which was delicious: the soft, sticky fry of the mochi donut and the sweet glaze of the matcha, pandan, and ube paired very well togther. We also got a complimentary cookie dough ice cream scoop for an anniversary. Ultimately, it's uncommon to find a spot in Chicago that specializes in different types and variations of Okonomiyaki, so in that way Gaijin definitely provided for a unique and enjoyable culinary experience.--Price (relative to peers): 4/5Food: 4/5Ambience: 4.8/5Overall Value: 4/5
Be the first to ReplyThis was the first time I've tried a Hiroshima style
This was the first time I've tried a Hiroshima style okonomiyaki (which comes topped with yakisoba) it was outstanding.
Be the first to ReplyGaijin is a Japanese-inspired dining experience that we
Gaijin is a Japanese-inspired dining experience that we were super thrilled to try out. It's amazing the variety of dining options that Chicago has to offer, and Gaijin is definitely worth while the visit!To start, we came on a busy Saturday night and were able to snag a couple seats at the bar because they were completely sold out for reservations. Despite sitting at the bar, the service was impeccable. Our waitress was attentive and kind and the food came out in record time (maybe 5 minutes after we ordered it?). It's incredible how efficient the kitchen is despite it being such a busy night.The cocktails we ordered were delicious, thought I'm not sure of their exact name (the lycee one and the egg white one!)For the food, we ordered the Octopus Yakisoba and the mushroom and Yuba Hiroshima (layered yakisoba noodles packed with layers of different flavors). Our favorite of the two was definitely the mushroom and yuba hiroshima because of how rich and poignant the flavors were. Both dishes are yakisoba noodles based, but different in their own unique way. We were very, very satisfied with the main courses!Now, the real kicker at Gaijin is the dessert. We ordered the seasonal kakigori and WOW-- this one is a MUST! It reminded me of Hawaiian shaved ice but had the most incredible and unique combination of flavors I've ever tried. It was a miso-honey ice cream center with smoked honey, blood orange syrup, and condensed milk on the side to drench the whole thing. AMAZING. This dessert is massive and definitely meant to be shared, and what a spectacular dish to end on.Overall, this is a great date night spot for couples or a small group. We'll definitely be back!!!
Be the first to ReplyGreat chef and staff.
Every item they recommended as a first timer there was delicious. I will definitely be back.Thank you for great service and food !
Be the first to ReplySo good! Kinda salta on the Hiroshima style but make sure
So good! Kinda salta on the Hiroshima style but make sure you stir it up! Pork yakisoba was on the sweeter side! Drinks were strong and delicious!
Be the first to ReplyThis gorgeous hidden gem is located underneath the train
This gorgeous hidden gem is located underneath the train stop and makes you feel like you're hanging out in an Alley! Great drinks, fantastic beer on tap and the food is delicious but very different! Leave belly space for dessert because it's fabulous! Lastly our server Orlando was attentive and friendly and helped us pick great food! 5 star
Be the first to ReplyHad a delicious birthday dinner here.
We tried to order as much off the menu as we could to sample around. Everything was delicious!The pork yakisoba was so flavorful and more than enough for 2 people to split. It basically could be an entree for one if you are not adventurous enough to order the okonomigaki. We ordered the shrimp Osaka-style okonomiyaki and the traditional Hiroshima style okonomiyaki. I'm sure they can do a better job of explaining what this is than I can, but it is similar to a frittata/pancake made with eggs, noodles, and vegetables, with other toppings added on top. If you are looking to try something you've never had before, go for the Okonomiyaki - you won't regret it! We also had the Kakigori for dessert. It was so cool and delicious. It was basically a sno-cone but with more of a creamy ice cream taste than artificial syrup. The presentation was awesome and we almost didn't want to eat it! We will definitely return to try more off the menu!
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