An exceptionally delicious and fun dining experience. The staff and bartenders are very knowledgeable and personable, and there so many different kinds of okonomiyaki! I’ve been a few times now and their specials are usually what grabs my attention, but the smoked fish Okasa is my fav of the regular items. Also!! The pickles are to die for, and I get the yuzu black sesame kakigori EVERY TIME !!!!!! I had a very nice experience with the bar manager Stella and Elayne when I visited last time- thanks for the chat ladies!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Brynna W
It's always perfect from cocktails to food to dessert. Can't recommened this place enough.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
hannah p
Another overrated, americanized restaurant.Way too salty okonomiyaki, blend beef ribs, and worst shaved ice I ever had, barely ate anything and left..
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 4
Phil Mussenden
I got there at a good time. My appetizer was in front of me probably 5 minutes after I put in the order (the beef with rice, very tasty and tender). I got the chicken okinomiyaki Osaka style with crunchy rice as an add on suggested by my server. It was interesting to watch it be made and it was filling. I liked how the bonito added a smoky flavor that accompanied it well.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Osaka Style
Anuj
Dietary restrictions: They were able to accommodate me with no meat options.
Tonight, I went out alone to have Octopus Okonomiyaki for dinner. The host welcomed me warmly, and I was quickly able to order my food. The highball was mediocre, and although the bottom of the Okonomiyaki was slightly burnt, it wasn't a big issue. The problem arose during payment; my bill came to $42.21, and I handed over $100.21 in cash, expecting $58 in change. However, I was only given $42 back. I sought out the server who had been assisting me, and when he came out from behind the kitchen, he admitted to mistakenly giving me the wrong change and promptly handed me the correct amount from a wad of bills in his pocket. If he had genuinely made an honest mistake, would the correct change have been readily available in his pocket? I'm extremely disappointed with his dishonesty. Please, don't scam customers and earn money honestly.I had considered not giving any tip at all, but I decided to give $7 as a tip for the hardworking kitchen staff. Also, there was a mandatory 3% fee on my bill to support paid sick leave for their employees, which I found rather unnecessary.I hope the manager or owner will address the issue with the staff involved promptly and ensure they don't repeat such behavior with other customers.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Claire Borowski
Our waitress Eve was really great and was able to walk through the menu with us and make recommendations to share! The Osaka Style Okonomiyaki was so delicious and the cocktails and sake menu were extensive!Vegetarian options: Most dish styles have a veggie or tofu optionDietary restrictions: Menu is not marked but staff is super knowledgeable about gluten free (allergy not preference), vegetarian and vegan options.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Osaka-Style Okonomiyaki
K J
delicious food, not big size though, they charge 3% extra service feeParking: $4.5/hr st parking
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Xiaoxi Sun
Too salty, even if I am pretty immune to salty food. Service is good, though.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 5
Rebecca Fyffe
Gaijin, located in the West Loop, below the Morgan Street CTA Station, specializes in Okonomiyaki - a savory Japanese pancake traditionally made on a hot metal cooking surface called a teppan.Okonomiyaki aren’t the only standouts on Gaijin’s menu. Salmon and beef rib starters were delicious. And chef-owner Paul Virant authored a book on preserving called The Preservation Kitchen, so don’t miss the pickled veggies.Not in the mood for savories? Gaijin is a destination restaurant for dessert! Kakigōri, shaved ice dessert with flavored syrups, and chewy satisfying mochi donuts are the stars of the dessert menu. The glazed rice flour donuts are crispy outside and fluffy and chewy inside. And you can enjoy dessert with a steaming aromatic cup of Sparrow Coffee.You can imagine my surprise when shaved ice in the shape of a bear hit my table, because I misheard the server, so I was expecting it to be shaped like a pear. The tart cherries inside were a beautiful complement to the chocolate and caramel flavors.Gaijin is totally unique in Chicago’s restaurant scene, and worth a visit. Come for the Okonomiyaki, or just for dessert, and again, don’t skip the world-class pickled veggies.GAIJIN BY PAUL VIRANT950 W Lake St, Chicago
Never had okonomiyaki so this was a great place to expand my palate. The options are a little less traditional but nonetheless it was good! Also it’s well portioned, i couldn’t finish it.The only thing I wish though was that, I was eating alone and was sat at the back of the bar with the only single chair ? it’s not the biggest of deals but I wish I was closer to the front to see the action of the bar and the main cooks.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Osaka Style
Henderick Mitchell
Big shout out to Elayne and their amazing staff for making our dining experience so pleasant. Highly recommended!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Travis Wasson
Dined here while visiting from out of town with friend's recommendation. Though pricey for what you get, our party of 5 was very satisfied. Good quality was very high due to ingredients and preparation. Though we forgot to get a reservation, they were able to seat us in about 30 minutes. Our server was extremely helpful and accommodating.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Benjamin Lawson
Good okonomyaki, does both Hiroshima and Osaka styles. Not served as casually as in Japan but was good and not overpriced. We ended up getting two and that was more than enough for us both.Would do again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kash
My girlfriends and I thought this was a wonderful sharing experience!We made a trio girls day out of it, and got to share the double garlic app (all three of us absolutely are obsessed with roasted garlic and HAD to try), pork belly yakisoba, and two different types of pancakes. We also all got the lychee ? martinis, they are small but mighty.My favorite part about the desert that we got at the end, was the homemade ice cream that was inside of it! Their salted caramel ice cream and matcha ice cream is amazing! ?
An exceptionally delicious and fun dining experience. The staff and bartenders are very knowledgeable and personable, and there so many different kinds of okonomiyaki! I’ve been a few times now and their specials are usually what grabs my attention, but the smoked fish Okasa is my fav of the regular items. Also!! The pickles are to die for, and I get the yuzu black sesame kakigori EVERY TIME !!!!!! I had a very nice experience with the bar manager Stella and Elayne when I visited last time- thanks for the chat ladies!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
It's always perfect from cocktails to food to dessert. Can't recommened this place enough.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Another overrated, americanized restaurant.Way too salty okonomiyaki, blend beef ribs, and worst shaved ice I ever had, barely ate anything and left..
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 4
I got there at a good time. My appetizer was in front of me probably 5 minutes after I put in the order (the beef with rice, very tasty and tender). I got the chicken okinomiyaki Osaka style with crunchy rice as an add on suggested by my server. It was interesting to watch it be made and it was filling. I liked how the bonito added a smoky flavor that accompanied it well.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Osaka Style
Dietary restrictions: They were able to accommodate me with no meat options.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Matcha Donut, Matcha Shaved Ice, Vegetarian, Osaka Style
Tonight, I went out alone to have Octopus Okonomiyaki for dinner. The host welcomed me warmly, and I was quickly able to order my food. The highball was mediocre, and although the bottom of the Okonomiyaki was slightly burnt, it wasn't a big issue. The problem arose during payment; my bill came to $42.21, and I handed over $100.21 in cash, expecting $58 in change. However, I was only given $42 back. I sought out the server who had been assisting me, and when he came out from behind the kitchen, he admitted to mistakenly giving me the wrong change and promptly handed me the correct amount from a wad of bills in his pocket. If he had genuinely made an honest mistake, would the correct change have been readily available in his pocket? I'm extremely disappointed with his dishonesty. Please, don't scam customers and earn money honestly.I had considered not giving any tip at all, but I decided to give $7 as a tip for the hardworking kitchen staff. Also, there was a mandatory 3% fee on my bill to support paid sick leave for their employees, which I found rather unnecessary.I hope the manager or owner will address the issue with the staff involved promptly and ensure they don't repeat such behavior with other customers.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Our waitress Eve was really great and was able to walk through the menu with us and make recommendations to share! The Osaka Style Okonomiyaki was so delicious and the cocktails and sake menu were extensive!Vegetarian options: Most dish styles have a veggie or tofu optionDietary restrictions: Menu is not marked but staff is super knowledgeable about gluten free (allergy not preference), vegetarian and vegan options.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Osaka-Style Okonomiyaki
delicious food, not big size though, they charge 3% extra service feeParking: $4.5/hr st parking
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Too salty, even if I am pretty immune to salty food. Service is good, though.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 5
Gaijin, located in the West Loop, below the Morgan Street CTA Station, specializes in Okonomiyaki - a savory Japanese pancake traditionally made on a hot metal cooking surface called a teppan.Okonomiyaki aren’t the only standouts on Gaijin’s menu. Salmon and beef rib starters were delicious. And chef-owner Paul Virant authored a book on preserving called The Preservation Kitchen, so don’t miss the pickled veggies.Not in the mood for savories? Gaijin is a destination restaurant for dessert! Kakigōri, shaved ice dessert with flavored syrups, and chewy satisfying mochi donuts are the stars of the dessert menu. The glazed rice flour donuts are crispy outside and fluffy and chewy inside. And you can enjoy dessert with a steaming aromatic cup of Sparrow Coffee.You can imagine my surprise when shaved ice in the shape of a bear hit my table, because I misheard the server, so I was expecting it to be shaped like a pear. The tart cherries inside were a beautiful complement to the chocolate and caramel flavors.Gaijin is totally unique in Chicago’s restaurant scene, and worth a visit. Come for the Okonomiyaki, or just for dessert, and again, don’t skip the world-class pickled veggies.GAIJIN BY PAUL VIRANT950 W Lake St, Chicago
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Never had okonomiyaki so this was a great place to expand my palate. The options are a little less traditional but nonetheless it was good! Also it’s well portioned, i couldn’t finish it.The only thing I wish though was that, I was eating alone and was sat at the back of the bar with the only single chair ? it’s not the biggest of deals but I wish I was closer to the front to see the action of the bar and the main cooks.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Osaka Style
Big shout out to Elayne and their amazing staff for making our dining experience so pleasant. Highly recommended!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dined here while visiting from out of town with friend's recommendation. Though pricey for what you get, our party of 5 was very satisfied. Good quality was very high due to ingredients and preparation. Though we forgot to get a reservation, they were able to seat us in about 30 minutes. Our server was extremely helpful and accommodating.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Good okonomyaki, does both Hiroshima and Osaka styles. Not served as casually as in Japan but was good and not overpriced. We ended up getting two and that was more than enough for us both.Would do again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My girlfriends and I thought this was a wonderful sharing experience!We made a trio girls day out of it, and got to share the double garlic app (all three of us absolutely are obsessed with roasted garlic and HAD to try), pork belly yakisoba, and two different types of pancakes. We also all got the lychee ? martinis, they are small but mighty.My favorite part about the desert that we got at the end, was the homemade ice cream that was inside of it! Their salted caramel ice cream and matcha ice cream is amazing! ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Matcha Shaved Ice, Hiroshima Style, Osaka Style