Gaijin

thevegverdict

Vegetarian-friendly Chicago Restaurant Week pick at Gaijin—bold flavors, great value, and a fun group meal. Pro tip: grab a table with the hot plates, it keeps the food warm. Follow @thevegverdict for more vegetarian recommendations in the US . . . chicago restaurant week | veg chicago restaurant week | gaijin chicago | vegetarian friendly chicago | okonomiyaki chicago | vegetarian japanese food | chicago veg eats | restaurant week picks | vegetarian food guide | vegan Japanese food in Chicago | valentine date night restaurant | cozy dinner | Sunday brunch

jetsetjanine

🥞 Chicago’s Best Kept Secret is a Savory Japanese Pancake! 🥢 📍 West Loop, Chicago, Illinois, USA Forget everything you think you know about pancakes—we’re talking about Okonomiyaki, the ultimate Japanese street food experience! 🔥 Gaijin is Chicago’s first restaurant dedicated to this incredible savory dish, giving you a taste of Japan right here in the West Loop. Chef Paul Virant perfected both the classic Osaka-style (the batter is mixed) and the Hiroshima-style (thinly layered with yakisoba noodles) versions. 🤤 Every okonomiyaki is griddled to perfection, packed with cabbage, your choice of delicious fillings like pork belly or shrimp, and topped with the iconic savory sauce, kewpie mayo, and the mesmerizingly “dancing” bonito flakes! 🇯🇵 It’s a warm, hearty, and highly customizable comfort food meal that is perfect for a Chicago date night or a fun night out with friends. My only regret is not trying the famous Kakigori! 🍧 These enormous, beautifully crafted Japanese shaved ice desserts are an absolute spectacle. I guess I’ll have to come back. Save this post for your next culinary adventure in Chicago! ✨ ======== Hi 👋🏼 I’m Jetset Janine, I’ve traveled to  100+ countries and dined at 100+ Michelin Stars ⭐️  I’m a traveling foodie that is determined to find you the best meals in the U.S. and all over the world! 🌎 ✈️  👉🏽 Join me for mouthwatering food, travel inspiration, and bucket list experiences! 🪣  ======= #GaijinChicago #Okonomiyaki #Kakigori #ChicagoFood #WestLoop #JapaneseFood #ChicagoEats #MichelinGuide #ChicagoRestaurants #SavoryPancake #Yakisoba #FoodieGram #TravelFoodie #JapaneseStreetFood #Chicagofood #travelingfoodie Keywords: Gaijin Chicago, best okonomiyaki, West Loop food, Japanese dessert, kakigori, savory pancake, Chicago dining, must-eat Chicago, Paul Virant, Hiroshima style, Osaka style, Chicago date night

atableforonechicago

a west loop hit🥢🇯🇵 that’s all I could think for this caption! I’ve brought 4 different types of friends (who understand and appreciate global cuisines) at @gaijinchicago and I have seen more or less then same reaction — impressed — with the okonomiyaki (and my restaurant picks😉) Gaijin offers savory pancakes (okonomiyaki) and Japanese fare on the menu. The cocktails and mocktails are very different than the usuals and you cannot miss the piping hot mochi donuts and shaved ice (kakigori)!! At #atableforonechicago, I got 🍸Fuyu (yuzu + coconut + sesame) 🍸Haru (London gin + cherry blossom) 🧆Veggie Korokke 🍗Chicken Karaage 🥕Kombu Marinated Veggies 🥢Veggie Yakisoba 🥬Tofu Okonomiyaki 🍩Pandan Coconut Mochi Donut . . . #chicagofood #westloopchicago #gaijinchicago #chicagoeats #japanesefood #okonomiyaki #chicago #gaijinchicago #eaterchicago #dinnerplans #atableforonechicago

dukeexploratorium

@richard.k.liu and I “flipped” out at @gaijinchicago as we tried the latest okonomiyaki chef collaboration with chefchristianhunter . His twist on the savory pancake was “baa”d ass with Japanese Curried Lamb Burgoo with beet and cabbage salad. And it is available until 4/20… unless they sell out but keep looking for more collaborations curated by Chef @paul_virant . The celeriac kimchi with @frillmanfarms celeriac really pickled my fancy as did the marinated eggplant with bonito. It would be an “udder” disappointment if we didn’t order the Sakura Clarified Milk Punch with @suntoryglobalspirits Roku gin, @granclassico , @mancinovermouth cherry blossom vermouth, lemon, orgeat and one of my fave ingredients science. “Donut” think we were going to pass on dessert. A pandan-coconut mochi donut and a sesame yuzu kakigori with black seasame ice cream, yuzu syrup, strawberry compote, honey sesame brittle and a snowcap. This whole meal just “curried” me away… 🥢🥢🥢🥢🥢🥢🥢🥢🥢🥢🥢🥢🥢🥢🥢 #chicagogram #okonomiyaki #kakigori #curry #cocktailtime #chicagofood #bluehairdontcare #feedmeandtellmeimpretty

chicagopescetarian

Helmed by Chef Paul Virant embraces traditional preparations and techniques with different kinds of these savory Japanese pancakes. The most lively Japanese style dining experience at this 60-seat space anchored by a custom 12-foot griddle and chef’s counter. Get that Smoked Fish Okonomiyaki, Shrimp Yakisoba and Curry Croquettes for sure! Pair with sesame or one of their Japanese highballs! 📍 950 W Lake St, Chicago, IL . . . . . #chicagopescetarian #gaijinchicago #japanesefood #westloopchicago #okonomiyaki #chicagorestaurants #thingstodoinchicago #paulvirant #chicagoblogger #asianfood #chicagoinfluencer #chicagogram #chicagoexplore #chicagoeats

dee.luxee.eats

Chicago’s first Okonomiyaki restaurant in the West Loop @gaijinchicago is a must try! The flavor profile is literally off the chart! Everything was amazing from the Kimchi down to the Mochi Donut Holes! My favorites were the Veggie Yakibosa & Pork Belly Okonomiyaki. I highly recommend this place for a date night or group dinners. 📍Gaijin | 950 W Lake St • • • • #chicagorestaurants #okonomiyaki #japanese #chicagoeats #chicagofoodie #gaijin

happyhourinchicago

Happy Hour: Monday-Thursday, 4PM - 6PM HH cocktails: $5-$7 HH wine: $7 (1 option) HH beer: $5 (1 option) HH sake: $7 (1 option) HH Food: $2-$10 My bill with 2 food items, 2 cocktails, and 1 sake (I was thirsty): $31+ tax About the restaurant/my experience: “Gaijin” means “foreigner” or “outsider,” which is how Chef Paul Virant describes himself, as he embraces Japanese culture and subsequently enlightens us to the marvel of okonomiyaki (savory Japanese pancake) and kakigori (a shaved ice dessert). While it is primarily an okonomiyaki restaurant, Gaijin serves other amazing food as well. It is also worth noting that okonomiyaki is not available on the happy hour menu. The restaurant is located immediately off of the Morgan station. It is intimate and seats about 60 people. You can sit at the tables (which each come with a Hiroshima teppan griddle for when you order your okonomiyaki), you can sit at the bar, or you can sit along the 12-foot griddle, where the chefs will be cooking right in front of you. The ambiance is eclectic but moody, combining wood, dark leather tones, exposed brick, brass fixtures, and neon lights. The noise level was a medium to high, mainly considering the intimate space, but it made for a very fun and lively atmosphere. The crowd was a mix of people. The outside is unassuming from one angle, but on the right of the building, you will see a colorful mural, which continues on to the front. From the side angles, you’ll see a lit up, circular sign, with a graphic of kakigori. The front of the building has the name in large letters, along with the words Okonomiyaki and Kakigori. Drinks: I tried the Bartender’s Choice (which was a spicy passionfruit margarita), their junmai sake, and the espresso martini. All the drinks were perfectly balanced. Food: We tried the “chili crunch popcorn,” the “twice-cooked garlic,” the “veggie tempura,” and the “veggie yakisoba.” I was obsessed with the popcorn and also loved the tempura (which is shocking because I usually don’t). Our server, Orlando, was so kind and patient. We felt welcomed and our server helpedus pick out our food and drink items, with knowledgeable recommendations. 👇🏽