Jerry M.
12/11/2025
I walked into Gaijin thinking I was just grabbing a quick dinner. I left with a new religion, and its prophet is a cabbage pancake. This tiny West Loop gem is Japan's coolest underground izakaya...
Gaijin
$$
Closed
(773)
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950 W Lake St
Chicago, IL 60607
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.
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Reviews
4.5773 reviews
Kenny N.
11/8/2025
Came here late in the evening to grab a snack and dessert. Ordered the Beef Okonomiyaki, Pandan Donut, and 2 Kakigori. The okonomiyaki came out first. It had one texture throughout, which made...
Steve S.
10/23/2025
First Japanese food we did not like: Food: 0. What we ordered seemed to be food made for after-partying drinkers. Atmosphere: 1. Good Retro 60-70s music that seemed out of place. Empty when we...
Irene B.
11/11/2025
Appreciated the friendly and efficient service. My husband and I sat at the bar and ordered the okonomiyaki flight, marinated beef short ribs (not pictured) and the shaved ice. We came here more...
Myra Z.
11/16/2025
Food is tasty and service is great! We tried the short rib appetizer and the Hiroshima style okonomiyaki Their sesame yuzu shaved ice might be one of my favorite desserts in the city. The interior...
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