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Gaijin, Chicago, IL

Gaijin

4.7
4.7
100 Reviews
$30 and under
Japanese

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2 people
19:00

Select a time

Booked 63 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!

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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 16:00–22:00 Sat, Sun 11:00–22:00 Happy Hour Mon–Thu 16:00–18:00
  • Phone number
    (312) 265-1348
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
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Experiences

  • Chicago Restaurant Week 2025

    US$30.00 - US$45.00 per person

    24 Jan 2025 - 9 Feb 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.
    Chicago Restaurant Week 2025 photo
  • Valentine's Day Tasting Menu

    US$70.00 per person

    14 Feb 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

    17 Feb 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 - 16:00 - 18:00
    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.

    Try Our Happy Hour Specials Starting At $5! photo

What 100 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
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.4Value

NoiseModerate

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.
100 Reviews
  1. Ashley

    New York City

    16 reviews

    4.0

    16 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Food and service was superb in such a chic setting immersing any customer into experiences similar to international travel in Kyoto.

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  2. OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Staff was absolutely wonderful. There was a slight delay with seating, but that’s 1000% to be expected with CRW.

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  3. Ryan

    VIP

    Pittsburgh

    6 reviews

    3.0

    6 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 3
    Cute little spot just wish the food was better. Don’t think I’ll be going back.

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  4. Carol

    VIP

    Chicago

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on 19 January 2025

    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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  5. Birute

    VIP

    San Diego

    24 reviews

    5.0

    24 reviews

    Dined on 16 January 2025

    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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  6. Nikole

    VIP

    Chicago

    23 reviews

    5.0

    23 reviews

    Dined on 12 January 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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  7. BrianL

    Greater Boston

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on 11 January 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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  8. Michael

    Atlanta

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 31 December 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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  9. Isaias

    Chicago

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 30 December 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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  10. Dennesia

    Chicago

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 30 December 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!

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

You can order delivery directly from Gaijin using the Order Online button.

Gaijin is rated 4.7 stars by 100 OpenTable diners.

Gaijin does offer gift cards which you can purchase here.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people
19:00

Select a time

Booked 63 times today
Experiences are available.

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Gaijin

950 W Lake St, Chicago, IL 60607

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Area
    West Loop
  • Hours of Operation
    Mon–Fri 16:00–22:00 Sat, Sun 11:00–22:00 Happy Hour Mon–Thu 16:00–18:00
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Japanese, Okonomiyaki, Asian
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    None
  • Public transit
    Morgan Green Line
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