OKONOMIYAKI AND KAKIGORI IN CHICAGO’S WEST LOOP

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a plate of authentic japanese okonomiyaki pancake from gaijin in Chicago's west loop offered during happy hour

$5 HAPPY HOUR SPECIALS

Tues – Thurs
5 to 6 p.m.

selected
highballs / sake / wine / draft beer / starters / share plates

starting at $5

reservations recommended, but walk-ins are welcome!

Make a reservation
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an infographic of what goes onto an okonomiyaki, a japanese savory vegetable pancake topped with various protein, okonomiyaki sauce, and kewpie mayo

WHAT IS OKONOMIYAKI?

okonomi=have it your way | yaki=griddled
Okonomiyaki is a savory Japanese pancake, griddled and customizable with everything from cabbage, noodles and veggies, to pork, shrimp, fried eggs and “dancing” bonito flakes, plus lots of tasty toppings. Okonomiyaki is a very traditional Japanese comfort food.


At Gaijin, we offer three different styles of okonomiyaki:

  • Osaka-style: All the components are mixed together.

  • Hiroshima-style: In this variation, the ingredients are layered (rather than mixed), with the addition of yakisoba noodles.

  • Negiyaki: Instead of cabbage, scallions are used in this savory pancake, plus bacon, egg and ponzu sauce.

what is in a japanese shaved ice kakigori infographic showing different layers

WHAT IS KAKIGORI?

kaki = finely crushed/shaved, gori = ice

Kakigori is a Japanese shaved-ice dessert flavored with sweet sauces and syrups. The history of kakigori dates all the way back to the Heian period, which spans from 794 AD to 1185. Unlike denser snowcones, the finely shaved, snow-like ice in kakigori allows the syrup to quickly distribute evenly into every bite.

At Gaijin, we offer three unique kakigori flavors:

  • SHIRO KUMA : coconut syrup / pineapple sherbet / toasted coconut / macerated cherries / sugar cookie ears / snowcap

  • SESAME YUZU (GF): black sesame ice cream / yuzu syrup / strawberry compote / honey sesame brittle / snowcap

  • UJIKINTOKI (GF): matcha ice cream / red bean paste / matcha syrup / coffee jelly / ube mochi / snowcap

Explore the menu
three japanese rice bowl special with summer cocktail at gaijin chicago
okonomiyaki japanese pancake topped with select protein, mayo drizzle and okonomiyaki sauce at gaijin chicago
gaijin authentic japanese food spread with rice, okonomiyaki, and fried noodle yakisoba
gaijin japanese happy hour in chicago with select beverages and appetizers
black sesame shaved ice at gaijin chicago
DJ kira anderson at Gaijin chicago

Events

Check out upcoming events, chef collaboration, and happy hour specials at Gaijin

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Private Dining

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Buyout Options
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off-premise catering

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