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

88 Reviews

$30 and under

Japanese

Make a reservation

2 people

Dec 29, 2024

7:00 p.m.

Booked 30 times today

Experiences are available.

Neighbourhood gem
Lively
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!

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Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Japanese, 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
Neighbourhood
West Loop
Parking details
None
Public transit
Morgan Green Line

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Experiences

Gaijin+Rare Tea Cellars Alcohol-free Tasting Menu
US$95.00 per person
Jan 16, 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.
Chicago Restaurant Week 2025
US$30.00 - US$45.00 per person
Jan 24, 2025 - Feb 9, 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
Feb 20, 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!

Offers

Try Our Happy Hour Specials Starting At $5!
Multiple dates available
Mon - Thu - 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
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 88 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.

88 Reviews

J
Jeff
VIP
Chicago
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Unique twist on delicious Japanese food. Waiter was personable.
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F
FRANK
Chicago
95 reviews
5.0
95 reviews
Dined 6 days ago
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.
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S
Sonja
Chicago
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great tasting food. The service was very attentive.
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D
Daniella
VIP
New York City
3 reviews
4.0
3 reviews
Dined on December 20, 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
The food and drinks we’re absolutely delicious! It was filling but light and the same time. This wasn’t my first time visiting Gaijin but every time I come back I have a wonderful experience!!
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J
Janet
Chicago
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on December 20, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Our son recommended Gaijin and it was wonderful! Highly recommend chef’s counter seating. Great food and really fun!
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K
Kevin
Chicago
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on December 19, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
Good food as always. The drink menu changed so we couldn't get what we had last time, but the new options were also tasty. This is one of our favorite places to eat.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Minneapolis
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on December 19, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
Fun date night spot where you get to interact with food before it hits your plate. Loved trying some new foods and flavors!!
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H
Heather
Chicago
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on December 18, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
The meal was delicious. Especially enjoyed the marinated vegetables. Our service person was very helpful and gave recommendations, all of the staff was attentive. The happy hour specials are especially good!
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C
Cesar
Chicago
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on December 14, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We had a great experience! We recently went to Japan, and this was the most authentic taste we’ve had since. Everything was absolutely delicious!
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P
Parag
VIP
Los Angeles
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on December 14, 2024
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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FAQs

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Gaijin is rated 4.7 stars by 88 OpenTable diners.