Gaijin Chicago

Gaijin Chicago Gaijin by Chef Paul Virant is Chicago’s first and only dedicated okonomiyaki and kakigori restaurant.
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Our Autumn Plant-Based Tasting Menu is only two days away! The dinner concludes with Caramel Apple Kakigori, featuring g...
10/13/2026

Our Autumn Plant-Based Tasting Menu is only two days away!

The dinner concludes with Caramel Apple Kakigori, featuring green apple syrup / caramel shell / peanut brittle / fresh apple.

🗓️ Thursday, October 15
Seats are still available -- make a reservation today!

10/12/2026

TOMORROW: 1/2 off pours of Habiki Japanese Harmony!

🥃 Every Tuesday through December 15th, Gaijin is offering pours of 14 premium Japanese whiskies at half price.

🥃 Try eight of those whiskies and receive a $50 gift card, and be entered to win a 2oz pour of Yamazaki 25… one of the most coveted whiskies in the world and a $385 value!

See you tomorrow!

10/08/2026

Our Pastry Chef Collabs are lively at Gaijin!

Last night, Dana Cree of pretty cool ice cream created a special Butter Pecan Butterscotch Kakigori featuring a mini brown sugar banana ice cream bar 🍌.

We’re super grateful, and looking forward to our next one!

10/06/2026

🗓️ Wednesday, October 28th

Chef Donald Young of Duck Sel steps behind our griddle on Wednesday, October 28th! He’s bringing his take on okonomiyaki to Gaijin for a one night special.

Okonomiyaki is a canvas that meshes well with any and all cuisines! We’re beyond excited to see what Michelin-starred chef Donald Young cooks up!

Reservation link in bio 🔗

🍂 AUTUMN PLANT-BASED TASTING MENU 🍃Join Chef Marcus Rasmussen at Gaijin for a one-night-only, five-course plant-based ta...
10/04/2026

🍂 AUTUMN PLANT-BASED TASTING MENU 🍃

Join Chef Marcus Rasmussen at Gaijin for a one-night-only, five-course plant-based tasting menu celebrating the fall harvest. Japanese-inspired dishes feature seasonal ingredients sourced from local farmers and foragers.

first
Fall tsukemono / grape daikon / red kuri squash / sesame-pickled turnip

second
Roasted Brussels sprout / miso sweet potato / yuzu glaze / crunchy topping

third
Fall vegetable soup / mochi / soft tofu

fourth
Tempura pumpkin & maitake Osaka-style okonomiyaki / burnt maple chili sauce / Kewpie

fifth
Caramel apple kakigori / green apple syrup / caramel / peanut brittle / fresh apple

$70 per person / optional beverage pairings $40
🍂 One night only.
Reserve your table: https://www.opentable.com/booking/experiences-availability?rid=1054264&restref=1054264&experienceId=783971&utm_source=external&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=shared&mc_cid=f239f60b46&mc_eid=8385c6f4ef

Pastry Chef Dana Cree of is bringing her take on kakigori to Gaijin on Wednesday, October 7th!Pretty Cool is known for...
10/02/2026

Pastry Chef Dana Cree of is bringing her take on kakigori to Gaijin on Wednesday, October 7th!

Pretty Cool is known for their handmade ice cream and popsicles that bring all sorts of sweet ideas to life. For one night only, Chef Dana will bring that same energy to our Japanese shaved ice desserts for a special collaboration.

Reservations: https://www.opentable.com/booking/experiences-availability?rid=1054264&restref=1054264&experienceId=807452&utm_source=external&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=shared

📅 Wednesday, September 30Gaijin welcomes Pastry Chef Mary Eder-McClure of for the next installment of our Chef Collabor...
09/24/2026

📅 Wednesday, September 30

Gaijin welcomes Pastry Chef Mary Eder-McClure of for the next installment of our Chef Collaboration Series.

Mary leads the pastry and bread programs at Galit, drawing inspiration from across the Middle East while incorporating nostalgic elements of her Jewish heritage and Lebanese family traditions.

🍧 She’ll be bringing those influences to Gaijin with a one-night-only kakigori.

🔗 Reserve a table: https://www.opentable.com/booking/experiences-availability?rid=1054264&restref=1054264&experienceId=796833&utm_source=external&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=shared

09/18/2026

The shaved ice dessert made for Chicagoans and Bears fans:

Blue root b**r ice cream / orange syrup / Garrett Popcorn Mix / sugar cookie ears

A sweet way to root on the Bears.

09/15/2026

We are thrilled to welcome Chef Cleetus Friedman to Gaijin this Wednesday, September 16th for another Chef Collaboration!

Chef Cleetus’s creations will be inspired by bagels and lox — using hot smoked salmon from Paul Virant’s recent fishing trip. Expect everything spice, sanbaizu cucumber and tomato.

This Wednesday! Make a reservation at the link in our bio!

GAIJIN WH**KY TUESDAY / September 15–December 15Every Tuesday:A new premium Japanese wh**ky is selected as the featured ...
09/14/2026

GAIJIN WH**KY TUESDAY / September 15–December 15

Every Tuesday:
A new premium Japanese wh**ky is selected as the featured pour. That wh**ky is offered at a super special price for the evening. You can explore a new expression each week, from familiar names to bottles you may not have tried before.

How It Works:
Visit Gaijin on any Wh**ky Tuesday to receive one stamp. Collect 8 stamps across the 14 events to receive a $50 Gaijin gift card and be entered into a raffle to win a complimentary pour of Yamazaki 25 Year Old Single Malt.

More info at the link in our bio. Join us tomorrow for pours of Yamazaki 12 at $13!

GAIJIN WH**KY TUESDAYS / September 15th — December 15thTry Japanese whiskies and earn! Every Tuesday from September 15 t...
09/14/2026

GAIJIN WH**KY TUESDAYS / September 15th — December 15th

Try Japanese whiskies and earn! Every Tuesday from September 15 through December 15, we’ll feature a different high-end Japanese wh**ky at a super special price. Each week is an opportunity to try something new, explore the range of Japanese wh**ky, and experience pours that you may not otherwise order.

HOW IT WORKS
1. Pick up your Wh**ky Card: Get your stamp card at Gaijin.

2. Join us on Tuesdays: Visit Gaijin during Wh**ky Tuesday and explore that week’s featured Japanese wh**ky.

3. Collect your stamps: Receive a stamp for each Wh**ky Tuesday visit.

4. Reach 8 stamps: Attend eight of the fourteen dates and fill your card.

5. Enter to win: Completed cards will receive a $25 Gaijin gift card and be entered to win a complimentary pour of Yamazaki 25 Year Old Single Malt!

Address

950 W Lake Street
Chicago, IL
60607

Opening Hours

Monday 4pm - 10pm
Tuesday 4pm - 10pm
Wednesday 4pm - 10pm
Thursday 4pm - 10pm
Friday 11am - 10pm
Saturday 11am - 10pm
Sunday 11am - 10pm

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