Gaijin
Japanese & Sushi in Chicago, Illinois
4.6 (1,364)
| Category | Japanese & Sushi Β· Japanese restaurant |
|---|---|
| Address | 950 W Lake St, Chicago, IL 60607 |
| Area | Chicago, Illinois |
| Phone | (312) 265-1348 |
| Google rating | 4.6 (1,364) |
Hours
| Monday | Closed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 11 amβ2:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 11 amβ2:30 pm |
| Thursday | 11 amβ2:30 pm |
| Friday | 11 amβ2:30 pm |
| Saturday | 11 amβ10 pm |
| Sunday | 11 amβ10 pm |
About Gaijin
Gaijin by Chef Paul Virant is Chicagoβs first okonomiyaki restaurant, offering both Hiroshima and Osaka styles of the savory Japanese pancake.
Gaijin is a japanese in Chicago, Illinois. It is listed at 950 W Lake St, Chicago, IL 60607, which places it among the local businesses of Chicago that residents and visitors turn to when they need this kind of service close by. Google also lists it under japanese restaurant, which is worth knowing if you are comparing several options in the area.
This group covers Japanese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese, Indian and other Asian cuisines that are not Chinese, and the etiquette varies by kitchen. Japanese and Korean restaurants often take reservations for dinner and may add a service charge for large groups; Thai and Vietnamese spots are usually walk-in and quick-turnover. Spice levels are frequently adjustable on request at Thai, Indian and Sichuan-adjacent menus, so say if you want it mild or hot. Korean BBQ restaurants typically charge per person for all-you-can-eat service with a time limit, and grills are shared at the table. Vietnamese pho shops post bowl sizes (regular or large) and a plate of herbs, bean sprouts and lime is normal to add yourself. Card and tap-to-pay are widely accepted; cash-only is more common at small family-run counters.
The business lists hours on 6 days of the week. On most of those days it is open 11 amβ2:30 pm. It is closed on Monday. As with most places, expect changes around holidays; the phone number below is the fastest way to confirm. The listed phone number is (312) 265-1348. Many businesses also reply to text messages on the same number if it is a cell phone. Its website is gaijinchicago.com, where you may find menus, price lists or booking options.
On Google it holds a rating of 4.6 out of 5 from 1,364 reviews, which is a strong result for a japanese in Chicago and suggests consistent service.
Chicago is in Illinois, in the Midwest, where summers are warm, winters are cold and snowy, and most errands are done by car; businesses keep steady year-round hours with the usual holiday changes. Traffic in Chicago peaks on weekday mornings and afternoons, so allow extra time then. Addresses read from the street number up to the city, state abbreviation and five-digit ZIP code; the map link on this page shows the exact spot.
See the other japanese & sushi in Chicago listed below to compare ratings, hours and locations before you decide. Details on this page come from public sources and may change; confirm anything important by phone before relying on it. Business owners can claim the listing to keep it up to date.
Latest Google reviews
The 5 most recent reviews shown on Google Maps. Reviews belong to their authors; read all of them on Google.
Brett Gottfried 2 months ago
Adorable little Japanese restaurant that serves icon pancakes. That's what you should come here for. It is a sharable style meal so plan on trying a lot. The Hiroshima style pancakes were my favorite and the veggie yakisobi was great. Make sure you make a reservation ahead of time.
Jessica Keane 4 months ago
Wow! My friends took us to this restaurant while we were visiting Chicago, and it was amazing. We had a reservation and did show up about 15 minutes late. The hostess said we could still be seated but another reservation was coming an hour later. I had never had okonomiyaki before, but I got to try three different kinds plus some yakisoba. We ordered four dishes and shared them among the four of us. We got the pork belly yakisoba, pork osaka style okonomiyaki, shrimp osaka style okonomiyaki, and the mushroom and yuba Hiroshima style okonomiyaki. My favorite dishes were probably the pork ones, but I really liked trying all of them! When our waiter asked if we wanted dessert, we said how the hostess told us we would need to leave by a certain time for the next reservation. However, he said we could order dessert anyway. I thought it was weird the hostess was being so finicky about the time, since usually 15 min late is within reason. We did get the red panda. It's mostly ice and a little ice cream, but it was very good and so cute! I would definitely come here again! It is a bit loud if you have anyone in your party who has trouble hearing. You are also quite close to other people
Sara S 6 months ago
Ever since I was introduced to okonomiyaki, Gaijin was on my list of restaurants to go to. It did not disappoint. We tried the duck Osaka-style, traditional Hiroshima-style, and the mushroom and yuba negiyaki. The traditional Hiroshima-style was my favorite, but they all tasted great. We came during brunch and my mom got the rice bowl which was also very good! There is a bit of a wait for the food, but they were all worth it. For dessert, they have mochi-donuts as well! Overall, I would recommend.
Rachel Marciano 6 months ago
Absolutely enjoyed our meals. Our server gave great recommendations. So many of the meals can be made gluten free. We WILL be back for the donuts (rice flour, also gluten-friendly!). The ice cream inside the shaved ice was fun too.
Luis Miguel Mejia 7 months ago
Amazing restaurant! Recently came back from Japan and the taste of Gaijin is very authentic. Loved everything, the octupus okonomiyaki was the best. Dessert donuts where very tasty as well. The restaurant has great service and very cool decoration and table setup. Really recommended!
Frequently asked questions
Where is Gaijin located?
Gaijin is at 950 W Lake St, Chicago, IL 60607, in Chicago, Illinois. Use the βOpen in Google Mapsβ button on this page for directions.
What kind of business is Gaijin?
Gaijin is listed as a japanese and is also tagged on Google as japanese restaurant.
What are the hours of Gaijin?
Published hours are Monday: Closed; Tuesday: 11 amβ2:30 pm; Wednesday: 11 amβ2:30 pm; Thursday: 11 amβ2:30 pm; Friday: 11 amβ2:30 pm; Saturday: 11 amβ10 pm; Sunday: 11 amβ10 pm. It is closed on Monday. Hours can change on holidays, so call before a special trip.
Is Gaijin open on Sunday?
Yes, on Sunday it is open 11 amβ10 pm.
What is the phone number of Gaijin?
You can call Gaijin at (312) 265-1348.
How is Gaijin rated on Google?
Gaijin has a Google rating of 4.6 out of 5 from 1,364 reviews.
Does Gaijin have a website?
Yes, the website of Gaijin is gaijinchicago.com (linked on this page).
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