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 reservation

2 people

Jan 21, 2025

7:00 p.m.

Booked 41 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, 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

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.
Valentine's Day Tasting Menu
US$70.00 per person
Feb 14, 2025 only
Celebrate your loved ones this year with a five-course tasting menu experience at Gaijin! Menu $70 / beverage pairings $40 (prior to tax and gratuity)
Valentine's Dos
US$70.00 per person
Feb 17, 2025 only
For everyone who worked hard to create a Valentine's Day experience for everyone else. For industry workers, retail folks, healthcare, and essential workers. For everyone who DID celebrate 2/14, but can't get enough. Enjoy a second installment of our five-course Valentine's Day tasting menu, with optional beverage pairings and maybe a few little extras to treat our working people! Menu $70 / beverage pairings $40 (prior to tax and gratuity)

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 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!
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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.
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N
Nikole
VIP
Chicago
23 reviews
5.0
23 reviews
Dined on January 12, 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.
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BL
BrianL
Greater Boston
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on January 11, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 3
Food was delicious and the service was very good.
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M
Michael
Atlanta Metro
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on December 31, 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
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I
Isaias
Chicago
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on December 30, 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.
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D
Dennesia
Chicago
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on December 30, 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!
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J
Jeff
VIP
Chicago
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on December 27, 2024
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 on December 23, 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.
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S
Sonja
Chicago
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on December 22, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great tasting food. The service was very attentive.
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FAQs

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Gaijin is rated 4.7 stars by 97 OpenTable diners.