Great as a Asian fusion kitchen lunch option: Restaurant Gaijin Izakaya (6. June 2023)
It’s quite a bit ago since I’ve last been to the Gaijin Izakaya, but I’ve always had good memories about the place, hence, I felt like I should give it a try for lunch as well. The lunch started with a complimentary “carrot soup”, which was quite lovely to get started.
As an official starter, I went for the “chicken karaage (tare, cabbage salad, home-made Japanese mayo)” (CHF 18.50), which was quite nice, and surprisingly spicy. The mayo was plenty, which isn’t all too usual, and the chicken was nicely crispy.
The “spicy Korean pork belly (ssamjjang crispy pork belly, onsen egg, cauliflower, cabbage, sesame, rice)” (CHF 28.00) as a main wasn’t entirely what I had expected. To be fair, the dish was nice, but it was somewhat lacking the ‘special’ bit, i.e., the pork belly wasn’t as crispy as I would have expected it (which was a bit disappointing). In terms of flavour profile, though, the dish was overall quite lovely.
The staff is absolutely friendly and attentive, so, you’re well attended throughout the whole lunch. To sum it up, what you get at the Gaijin Izakaya is not only nice for dinner, but also quite lovely for lunch since the food is good, the atmosphere is nice, the staff is friendly, and the prices are actually quite okay too. Booking in advance is quite a bit recommended since else you won’t stand a chance to get a table.
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Contact Details:
Restaurant Gaijin Izakaya
Birmensdorferstrasse 5
8004 Zürich (CH)
Tel.: +41 44 482 22 00
E-Mail: info@gaijin-izakaya.ch
Homepage: http://www.gaijin-izakaya.ch
About the Author: Sven
I started the blog in October 2009, while living in Milan which I definitely consider to be one of the food capitals of the world. I was in touch with food since my early childhood (as my father is a former chef). Whenever I can, I travel the world to discover new places, to meet people but mostly to try local dishes and to find hidden gems! If you know a place worth going, please drop a line to: info@thediningexperience.org.
Currently, I am a member of the following food-related associations: Chevalier @Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Zurich-Ville; Membre Gourmet Dégustateur @Ordre Mondial des Gourmets Dégustateurs [OMGD]; Gesellschafter @Goldener Fisch and Member @Slowfood Convivium Zurich City. 
