Nothing but great things to say about Gaijin! Serving up less commonly found Japanese dishes, this spot is a fabulous addition to the Chicago food scene. Gaijin recently held a matsuri festival event complete with tastings, musical performances, and fortune telling. It was such a treat getting to try a little bit of everything on the menu! The marinaded vegetables were super flavorful and refreshing- I could definitely have eaten an entire plate full. The yakisoba was light bodied and the soft noodles were complemented perfectly by crunchy veggies. Other highlights were the gyudon, chicken kaarage, and mini okonomiyaki samples. The marinaded beef melted in the mouth, and the fried chicken was among the crispiest I've ever had! All of the okonomiyaki were great, but the negiyaki was to die for with a super rich flavor from the bacon and eggs. The meal concluded with delicious assorted mochi donut holes and black sesame kakigori. If you like snow cones, definitely order the latter. Aside from the food, I tried the Legent Old Fashioned and Haku Clarified Punch. The punch was very unique and a must-try. Throughout the meal, we were treated to beautiful music by a live taiko group and koto player. Both were outstanding and made the experience super memorable. At the end, the owner chatted with all of the customers and was very kind. Needless to say, I will absolutely be back and highly recommend paying Gaijin a visit! read more

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Gaijin is a nice spot to grab some food and drinks. I decided on a whim to come here for dinner as I had heard good things about this place. I've only tried to go to one other restaurant that is known for their cabbage pancakes before. We got seated pretty quickly as we had a reservation. Our waitress was able to get our orders in and we sat in front of the chefs cooking. So it was nice to see them preparing the dishes. I decided to keep things simple and order the pork Osaka-style Okonomiyaki ($22) and the shrimp yakisoba ($19). We felt that there weren't too many appetizers to choose from especially since we were already getting a pork dish. We do wish that there was a tempura appetizer with meat on the menu because we would have ordered that as a starter. For the yakisoba, we thought it was good but felt that the noodle to veggie ratio was low. There needed to be more noodles or less veggies. It felt like there were more veggies than the noodles itself. It was still delicious but we wanted more noodles. For the cabbage pancakes, we enjoyed it very much! There's plenty of food in the pancake and it was delicious with the pork and bacon. If you were to try one item, I recommend the cabbage pancakes. Overall, we felt that this was a good place for food and drinks. We would like to come here again! read more

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Amazing okonomiyaki! Kudos to the chefs and staff! I visited Japan in March and I've gotta say, this okonomiyaki place meets the Japanese standard. The beef Osaka-style okonomiyaki with roasted garlic and cured beef is unique. Flavors work really well. The traditional Hiroshima style okonomiyaki is still my favorite because of the layered yakisoba noodles. Perfectly cooked! The ube sparkling water was refreshing, and not overly sweet. The chef's counter provides a wonderful experience and I love the ambiance. read more

Gaijin - Beef Osaka Style Okonomiyaki - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Perfect place to take out of town guests! The food here is super unique and yummy. Definitely try the octopus okonomiyaki. My friend liked the twice-cooked garlic and another liked the bok choy. The drinks - incredible! Last time, I asked if they had any black sesame cocktails and they didn't but the bartender created the perfect custom black sesame drink for us!! So just tell them what you like and they can make it :)) Very intimate and cozy place to catch up (watch the 1.5 hour reservation window). The patio in the summer is also very nice. The desserts are also so good. And so close to Fulton so you can walk off the carbs while shopping. Highly recommend!! read more

Gaijin - Black sesame cocktail (not on the menu) - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This place has the best ambiance! It's a perfect balance of upscale dining, but also kinda casual?? I loved the decor and the staff was great; I'm vegetarian and they were very accommodating with the plating and everything! The food was also amazing! I've never had okonomiyaki before, and this was really good! However, I think the yakisoba was the star of the show; truly amazing! read more

Gaijin - Tofu Osaka Style Okonomiyaki - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This was a unique dining experience. We sat at the counter, so we got to watch all of our food be made. The staff were prompt and friendly. All of the food was great, and the portions are huge, so it's great to just order a few things and share with the table. Sake flights paired well with everything we ordered. Overall the restaurant itself is very cute and cozy. This is a good spot to hit with friends or for a more laid back date night. read more

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Food: Good flavor but way too expensive for the portion size Service: was good Ambiance: clean, would be a good place for some cocktails while eating but the price discourages read more

Gaijin - Traditional Hiroshima Style Okonomiyaki - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Dined with my homegirl for her birthday. I arrived early, but they sat me and even comped a drink. The savory dishes were flavorful and sitting at the chef's counter provided a bit of entertainment. The KAKIGORI KURO KUMA dessert wasn't my pace, but made the birthday girl smile. 3.6 stars. read more

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Gaijin is one of my favorite go to place and i love the vibe there. Authentic japanese place with fresh ingredients and very friendly staffs who are accommodating your dietary preferences. I was vegan for a month so they made sure none of the dishes I ordered had egg. Tofu okonimiyaki was so filling and amazing. Absolutely loved the yakisoba noodles and i chose to get the udon version and it was tooo good. Veggies filled andso delicious. I also had their house made ice cream. They make the best matcha ice cream i have had so far. read more

Gaijin - Yakisoba with Udon noodles - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Had a yummy dinner here. I enjoyed my dish and the other bites I had. Would return eventually! read more

Gaijin - Shrimp Yakisoba - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Glad to have found an authentic okonomiyaki place in the city! I highly recommend the traditional Hiroshima style, which has great flavor and texture. The dessert menu is also amazing, my favorite being the yuzu/black sesame kakigori. The restaurant has an an intimate setup and perfect for any friends visiting. read more

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Never having Japanese street food before, I think this was a great introduction. I loved the flavor pairings, toppings and condiment choices for the dishes. The chicken OSAKA-STYLE OKONOMIYAKI, was really good and filling, but you'll need at least 3-4 for the table to really try all the varieties and make well for sharing. Also it was light not heavy on the stomach and melted in your mouth per bite. I could eat one for breakfast and I wouldn't feel bloated. The presentation was spot on. The only thing I didn't do but wish I did was get a drink to pair with my meal. That'll be for the next time! read more

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Went here for Chicago restaurant week and it was SO good. The service was impeccable with the serving staff being so kind and attentive at all times. We got our food very fast and in a very nicely timed cadence so that we didn't have a completely full table of food. The staff even gave us a small sorbet to celebrate our special occasion. The inside is so nice and vibey. The perfect spot for after work drinks or a delicious dinner. The food itself was SO good; I wish I could have tried more things to get a range of flavors so definitely will be coming back to try more items off the menu! read more

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Gaijin is an absolute gem. Honestly, we need more spots like this in Chicago--places where the vibe is casual, you can roll in wearing whatever you're comfortable in, and enjoy amazing food without worrying about being overly fancy or breaking the bank. After hearing some great recommendations, we stopped by to try their famous okonomiyaki. We went with the chicken Osaka-style and added the crispy rice topping, which came highly recommended--and for good reason. The servers were incredibly friendly and helpful, guiding us through the menu and making the whole experience even better. We also ordered the shrimp yakisoba, which doesn't get talked about enough in my opinion. It was absolutely delicious--honestly, I might've even liked it more than the okonomiyaki! The vibe was great, the food was fantastic, and we had a really fun time overall. We were super tempted to try their adorable-looking dessert, Chubby Kuma--we saw a bunch being made and they looked amazing--but we were just too full to squeeze in one more bite. Next time, for sure. read more

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This was my first experience with Japanese pancakes, and it exceeded my expectations! I visited with a friend on a Tuesday night, and even without a reservation, we were lucky to be seated quickly. We had a great spot right in front of the grill, where we could watch the chefs prepare the food. The waitress was very helpful, offering excellent suggestions for our meal. We started with the marinated beef ribs, which were tender, juicy, and absolutely delicious. For my main course, I chose the Osaka-style okonomiyaki with crispy rice and a fried egg, both recommended by the waitress. The pancake was truly incredible; the crispy rice added the perfect contrast to the pancake's texture, and I'll definitely be having it this way every time. For dessert, we indulged in the mochi chocolate donut, which was the perfect end to a fantastic meal. I can't wait to come back and enjoy this experience again! read more

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Fortunately, we were able to get it by walking in on a busy day. I recommend getting a reservation as this place was very busy in the afternoon/ evening. Lobster Osaka Style: 5 out of 5 Beef Osaka Style: 5 out of 5 Mochi donuts: 5 out of 5 The lobster Osaka Style Okonomiyaki and beef Osaka Style Okonomiyaki were both delicious with their own flavor profiles. The lobster was complimented with creole butter, and the beef was rich and flavorful on its own. I would and do recommend both options. However, the lobster dish was a special item and might not be there anymore. We also got the kinaki and coffee mochi donut. They come out hot and are the perfect desert in both texture and flavor. They are not too sweet but sweet enough to fulfill any sweet tooth. The kinaki is a sesame glaze that has nice nutty flavor, and the coffee was more like a sweet coffee. read more

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If you're in Chicago, this is a must try restaurant. The okonomiyaki is DELICIOUS, and they have some many varieties which is super hard to find. We went during brunch, and everything we got was super delicious. We wrapped it up with dessert, and it was heavenly. Great service all around, and it was fun to sit at the bar to watch them cook everything. This is a great place with great food, and will be a must visit everytime we come to Chicago. read more

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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! read more

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Gaijin was highly recommended by a friend. We walked in on Friday around 6pm without any reservations and were seated without a wait. The inside is pretty small with bar and table seatings. If you sit at the table, your okonomiyaki is served on the hot pan built into the table. The menu is simple with starters, yakisoba, okonomiyaki and dessert options. We ordered lychee martinis, the special lobster tail Osaka style tail okonomiyaki, and beef okonomiyaki. My personal favorite was the lobster tail okonomiyaki, which had corn, creole butter, and arare. It had bursts of flavors and textures. I highly recommend this one if it's available. The beef okonomiyaki wasn't as flavorful, but had more meat throughout compared to the lobster one. Last but not least, do not skip on dessert! Their mochi donuts are the best I've had. They are freshly made to order. Compared to other mochinuts, they are more mochi than donut, which I really liked. We ordered the coffee and the kinako. Both had very different flavor profiles and I couldn't pick a favorite. I'll definitely be back. read more

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Gaijin by Chef Paul Virant is an absolute gem and easily one of my favorite spots in Chicago--I've been more times than I can count, and I still get excited every time I go. As the city's first okonomiyaki restaurant, it's the place to experience both Hiroshima- and Osaka-style versions of this iconic Japanese dish, and they do it so well. For appetizers, I always start with their Veggie Korokke--crispy, golden bites of mushrooms, rice, and curry, balanced with tangy tomatoes, daikon pickles, and that rich tonkatsu sauce. It's the perfect way to begin a meal here. Since I'm vegetarian, I rotate between two absolute favorites for mains: Veggie Yakisoba - A perfect mix of spinach, mushrooms, sweet corn, cabbage, scallions, carrots, and sesame, tossed in their flavorful sauce. Comforting, well-balanced, and just the right amount of savory. Tofu Osaka-Style Okonomiyaki - A must-try! This Japanese savory cabbage pancake is cooked to perfection on the griddle and fully customizable. It's hearty, flavorful, and a great intro to okonomiyaki if you've never had it before. Now, let's talk desserts--because Gaijin's kakigori (shaved ice) is something else. I've tried every single one, and they are all incredible. Light, refreshing, and packed with flavor, they are the perfect way to end a meal. But let's be real--I can never leave without their warm mochi donut, and I am a total sucker for the pandan coconut flavor. It's chewy, slightly crisp on the outside, and just melts in your mouth. Do not skip this! Gaijin delivers consistent, high-quality, flavorful food in a casual yet welcoming atmosphere. Whether you're an okonomiyaki fan or just looking for something unique and delicious, this spot is an absolute must-visit. read more

Gaijin - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Stella the bar manager and bartender Ian were so hospitable and great to us during our meal at Gaijin. I looked up eats that I can't find back home and I've always wanted to try okonomayaki. Stella was able to break down the options for us, describing the various styles, combinations and her preferences. We opted for the pork osaka style. It had bonito flakes on top, crispy bacon, and juicy pork throughout the griddled cabbage pancake. The pickled vegetables were so good with the okonomayaki it helped cut through the rich crispy base. I never had pickled beets before and I think I liked it the most. Being seated by the bar was such a good choice, we had recommendations on where to go next and they were so kind and gracious. Vibes were great here, I would love to come back and try more of what they have to offer. read more

Gaijin - Pickled Kombu Marinated - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Every time I visit my in laws we always stop here. The okonomiyaki is so good. You can either pick Osaka style or Tokyo style. The difference is Osaka is mostly cabbage and mixed in. Meanwhile, the Tokyo style is stacked layer by layer and has noodles as well. I got the shrimp Osaka style. It was scrumptious. The shrimp was crispy and like that they included corn in their batter. If you have room for dessert. I highly recommend getting their mochi donut. They are soft and chewy and very different than ordinary American donut because they use mochi flour. read more

Gaijin - Shrimp Osaka Style Okonomiyaki - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Came in on a random Thursday night in the hip Fulton Market area. Sat at a random bar stool and had great friendly and fast service. Had an awesome beef and rice Okonomiyaki cabbage Osaka style pancake. Kinda large for $19 and hit the spot. Tried their fresh $5 donuts and had the chocolate covered one. The small ball at the top is actually a donut hole, so you get a full donut :-) Will be back to try more things! Bathrooms were clean and had paper towels or blow dryers. read more

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Space feels a little cramped, but everything else was wonderful! My brother and I split one each of the standard Okonomiyaki; serving size was just right and every component was flavorful. They were served onto the table which had a built-in warming plate. Honestly couldn't tell if it was working or not, but it was a good vibe buff. Even though it felt cramped, the chair seats also lift into a cubby so you can store your stuff - clever + cute! read more

Gaijin - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The service and hospitality at Gaijin are great. The ambience is also nice---it's fun to see the chefs prepare the food behind the counter, and the storage area under the seats is a really nice touch! The desserts I tried here were also pretty nice. Unfortunately, I didn't like the entrees I had as much, but I would definitely be open to coming back for kakigori if in the area. From most to least-enjoyed, the food we tried was: Sesame Yuzu Kakigori (GF) ($11) - black sesame ice cream, yuzu syrup, strawberry compote, honey sesame brittle, snowcap. There's a scoop of black sesame inside the kakigori, with strawberry compote and sesame brittle layered inside. It's fun to eat with all the layers, and I liked the saltiness of the brittle! It comes with condensed milk on the side, but it's already quite sweet as is, so we didn't find the condensed milk necessary. The syrup in the shaved ice was pretty sweet, and the yuzu flavor was not very strong. Kinako Mochi Donut ($5) - the mochi donuts here are on the chewier and denser side. The donut itself isn't very sweet, so most of the sweetness is from the glaze (which I found pretty sweet with only a mild kinako flavor). They're served warm! I preferred the kakigori but think the donuts are also worth trying. Osaka-Style Okonomiyaki with Chicken ($19) - this was way too salty, and it was difficult to eat. Mushroom and Yuba Negiyaki ($18) - like the okonomiyaki, this had too many strong flavors. It's very salty, very charred, and also quite acidic with the ponzu. The yuba was added on top as a hard, dry sheet. read more

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leave here stuffed... so don't fill up on cocktails! love all of the options - especially for vegetarians. you truly can do it your way here. definitely sit at the bar for the live action entertainment. i actually didn't smell any worse than leaving a hibachi grill. there is NO where to stand so if they are running behind even if you've got a reso, plan to hit up grapes and grain down the road. read more

We went to try Gaijin for the first time and it was a great experience! Since we got there around 5:20-5:40 we did not have to wait. They also have happy hour on the weekdays which makes a few of their alcoholic drinks and appetizers cheaper. We ended up trying two different styles for pancakes. I for sure recommend their Pork okonomiyaki with the crispy rice. It was great both texturally and taste wise. The chili sauce was disappointing. I was expecting it to be spicy but it was more for crunch factor with crispy onion or garlic pieces and sesame inside. The yuzu and black sesame dessert was delicious! I wish it was smaller since it was a very big portion even for two people. The service was great! Our server and the owner asked if our food was good and also checked if we wanted refill on some sauces. The ambiance is great for a date or a small gathering since it's somewhat family style where you share items. Would for sure recommend if someone has not tried okonomiyaki. read more

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The service here was absolutely incredible the interior looks super detailed as well and it was overall a great vibe. The food was some of the best yet unique type of food I've ever had. Yakisoba and Osaka style okonomiyaki was probably the best thing (besides deep dish) that I've had in Chicago while visiting. 100% recommend here please come! read more

My friend and I came on a Sunday night around 8pm and we didn't have a reservation but luckily we were able to get seated at the bar. We ordered the beef okonomiyaki as well as the traditional hiroshima. We thought that both of them tasted pretty good and there were lots of flavors packed in them. There wasn't one that I preferred. It was overall a tasty meal and the only complaint is the price was $20+ for each which was a little pricey. read more

Gaijin - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We ordered The Traditional Hiroshima okonomiyaki which was delicious. I love having noodles in my okonomiyaki and it was perfectly cooked. I saw some of the chefs burn a little bit some okonomiyaki dishes. Our server was really attentive and there was a water girl that kept refilling our water who never let our water get low or empty. We got marinated beef ribs for appetizer and that was pretty good too. It reminded me of wagyu beef sticks they sell in Japan. Their cocktails were good too I forgot what I got though. Their chocolate mochi donut and sherbert ice cream was good too! read more

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Gaijin has been on our list forever but it took restaurant week to get us there. Ironically, they seem to have a restaurant week-menu-equivalent on their menu normally anyway. The menu included an appetizer (protein skewer basically), an okonomiyaki, and donuts for dessert. The appetizer wasn't great and the pickled veggies it came with weren't great either. It was just ok and next time I wouldn't get an appetizer. I would leave more room for okonomiyaki which was incredible. I do wish our server had told us about the toppers (egg, bacon, rice, etc.) before we had ordered but sitting at the bar next to the griddle allowed us to see alllll the options over the course of our meal. And damn, adding some of the toppers would've transformed an already delicious okonomiyaki into something even more. I got the octopus and my wife got the beef, both of which were incredible. So packed with flavors - distinct flavors too. Can't wait to return and feel the next time will be even better. read more

Gaijin - okonomiyaki were incredible, wish we'd known you could add toppers - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Food 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. read more

Gaijin - Beef Osaka Style Okonomiyaki - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Amazing 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! read more

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OMG WOW THE FOOD WAS SOOOO FREAKING GOOD! omg i got the octopus yakisoba and a ramumen drink and it was amazing!! like woah best dish I have had in awhile! i tried my friends dishes too and they were good but i thought the one I got was out of this world! the service was also amazing! they really went out of the park for my friends bday! they went NEXT LEVEL! they gave everyone a free shot out of the flask and brought a shaven ice cream out for the whole party with a candle in it! my friend lost her take out order and they re-did the whole order just for her. the owner came around and thanked us for coming and asked us how things were going which was super duperrrr nice of him!! the ambiance was very hip and trendy! it is on the smaller side but it was enough to fit the party of 10 we came with! :) i tried to convince owner to open a place in DC where I was from because it was that goood lol! read more

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I had a great experience at Gaijin during my visit to Chicago! I've never had so many options for okinomiyaki before and I got to try several during my visit. It's so fun to have them be placed in front of you and it keeps the food hot as well. My favorite that I tried was probably the Osaka style pork, however they were all tasty. I don't think you'd have a bad time with any flavor. read more

Gaijin - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Great and balanced flavor. Crispy on the outside (thin sliced pork belly) and just cooked in the inside. The batter mix flavor is really good and texture is still gooey but perfectly cooked. Sauce taste and flavor is on point. read more

Gaijin - Gaijin lager - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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[Gaijin] Modern Japanese restaurant in Chicago, located in the Logan Square neighborhood. The restaurant features a sleek, minimalist design and an open kitchen concept with a dark lighting aesthetic. Started with their Gaijin Lager and the lychee martini Ordered their 4 course: Kombu Marinated Veggies Marinated Beef Ribs Octopus okonomiyaki Mochi donut holes Added a veggie yakisoba and had to get their famous kakigori while we were here (ujikintoki) Overall, I loved the flavors. I enjoyed the 4 course, being able to try different items on their menu. I could not walk after eating all this. The only critique I have is the kombu marinated veggies is very underwhelming. Service was great. Overall, 9/10 https://gaijinchicago.com 950 W Lake St Chicago, IL 60607 read more

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Service was great and the atmosphere was super vibey. Think it would be better as a lunch spot as the flavors are on the lighter and fresher side. read more

My friend and I decided to come try Gaijin after hearing people talk about it and after seeing photos! We made a reservation for 9pm but were able to get seated a little early at the bar. I'd definitely recommend sitting at the bar so you can watch the chefs cook the okonamiyaki, it's better than sitting at a table. We were debating on the Tasting Experience but decided we weren't hungry enough and ordered way too much anyways. We ordered a Hibiscus Fizz and a Cherry Blossom Soda. I honestly wasn't a huge fan of either, but the Cherry Blossom Soda was a real disappointment. It didn't taste like cherry blossom at all, just like pink fizzy water. I asked a waitress and she described it as a "light taste".... anyways, the Hibiscus Fizz was better. Both of us wanted to try a variety, so we mistakenly ordered two Okonamiyaki. They are HUGE. We got the Octopus Osaka-Style, which was really great and exactly what I expected. We also got the traditional Hiroshima-style, which was.... a lot. The soba noodles are not my favorite add-in and I don't think this style tastes very good. Nevertheless, good experience. Finally, I ordered a mini Kakigori for dessert, and the seasonal syrup was Grape, my favorite! I thought this was really great and probably my fav part of the meal. read more

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Restaurant week dinner at Gaijin was awesome!!! Between 4 of us we split 2 of the restaurant week menus and it was more than enough food. It was so fun to try all the unique dishes! Already want to come back! The first course was the pickles - light and refreshing and so much flavor! Second was the salmon (the flavor was phenomenal, smallest portion of the meal but soooo good), and the veggie yakisoba which was so many noodles and so flavorful! I loved the sweetness of the corn with the noodles. I highly recommend getting this one. For the third we went with the tofu Osaka and the octopus Osaka - WOW! The tofu was so flavorful which a variety of veggies mixed in. The octopus was my favorite though, so unique, a little sweet, and the flakes on top moved with the heat which was super interesting. Ended the meal with the matcha citrus and Kinako donut holes (kind of a peanut butter tahini flavor) which I would love to come back for the full size donuts because these were incredible. read more

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