Gaijin is a cool, hip-vibe, casual, and modern Chicago West Loop restaurant showcasing  familiar but yet re-invented flavors of okonomiyaki, yakisoba, korokke, and kakigori. The word "Gaijin" means a foreigner in Japanese and it is often used to call expats living in Japan. Chef Paul Virant marries his Midwestern New American flare to the Japanese street food staples by drawing his time living in Japan with his family immersing in the food culture to his interest and specialty in pickles.

We love authentic food but we also love how chefs from different cultural background can elevate flavors of other cultures through techniques and their own style of cooking. This restaurant concept and execution is truly exceptional, converting a person like me who doesn't normally like okonomiyaki or yakisoba to a lover. Gus has always been a lover of these dishes but no matter where I tried them on different occasions even in Japan or when I make them at home following someone else's recipe, it never hits the spot like Gaijin. As a bonus, Chef Paul Virant publishes his Osaka-style okonomiyaki recipe for you to try at home. Check this recipe out!

There are many reasons why travelers like to visit Southeast Asia. Whether it be the unique culture or the beautiful beaches, no traveler leaves without being impressed of the variety of ingredients and distinct flavors that the region has to offer in the diverse culinary traditions.

Southeast Asia is a collective of countries surrounding the Malay Peninsula with extensive coastal areas which transpired a culture of seafood derived food and snacks. The plentiful and diverse ecology of the surrounding sea as well as the resourcefulness of the people brings forth dishes and snacks with distinct seafood flavors that the rest of the world come to enjoy today. 
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Here are 5 seafood inspired snacks from Southeast Asia you have to try. 

Straight out of a fairy tale set, Rothenburg ob der Tauber is one of the most memorable places that we've visited in Germany. The beauty of the well preserved medieval buildings, painted vibrant shades with contrasting colors like the famous painted ladies in San Francisco, is a sight to behold. The entire village, with its cobble stone streets and its old fashioned wrought iron works hanging from the storefronts, is frozen in time. Nevertheless, the picturesque village can offer more than just the admiration of beautiful buildings. Tourism has revitalized the sleeping town into a sprawling hub of accommodations and eateries. In this post, we will introduce you to our recommended hotel and restaurants that we've enjoyed during our visit to this quaint village.

As much as we like home-cooked meals or fancy Michelin star restaurants, there are days when we just want no-frills and guaranteed deliciousness without the damage to our wallets. Embracing cultural diversity has its virtue and beyond the hot dogs and burgers, Chicago hosts a list of marvelous joints where you can sample worldly cuisine at an affordable price. We've included Chinese, Persian, and Mexican cuisine, just to name a few, so that your taste bud can have its own glorious moment of international enlightenment.

Awestruck and mind-blown, Bruce Sherman's North Pond is unbelievably creative and technical. The flavor combinations created from seasonal ingredients are truly reflective of the master craft and research taken to create such mind tingling dishes. The degustation experience left us in tears of joy as we were bombarded with the superbly executed dishes, one after another.

Contact Info:
(773) 477-5845
 ​http://northpondrestaurant.com/