The Gaijin hazel park — Restaurant in Hazel Park

I feel almost bad writing this review considering how nice the owner is, but it was an extremely disappointing experience. I got really excited seeing a new sushi place open close by, but from the moment we walked in, it was bad. First, our table was covered in cigarette ashes and sticky. The poor waitress, I do feel for her, she was very unfamiliar with the menu and told us she was just helping out. We asked for a sushi menu and she was unsure if they even had one. We ordered the furikake potatoes, the Asian coney dog, I can't exactly remember the sushi names, I'm sorry but it was the Flaming something and the Nacho Libre. There was really only maybe 5 different roll options, each one stranger than the last. Including one that had sauerkraut, another with spinach and cilantro and another with onions. As someone who is pregnant and loves sushi but is already pretty limited on options, it only left me with the two options I ordered.

The Asian corn dog was advertised with ground beef chili or bulgogi (we were not asked which we liked so it was sort of luck of the draw I guess) what came appeared to be a pickled hot dog (because it was cotton candy pink) with Sriracha, arugula and onions on a sub bun. The bun did not have a bottom, so the food immediately fell apart after one bite.

The potatoes were actually super good, we ate all of them. The sauce on it was great and the potatoes came out fresh and hot.

The sushi was the worst part. The Flaming one had literal Flaming cheeto cheese dust on top and what I would describe as meijer brand packaged imitation crab in and on top of it. I will note the roll was not advertised to have Flaming cheese dust on it.

The Nacho Libre was worse. This one was advertised to have "Nacho crunch" on top which turned out to be cheeto puff dust.

I also forgot to note that when we initially sat down, a worker opened the front door of the restaurant, right behind where we sat, despite it being 40 degrees outside and very chili.

The owner was very kind but this was a very bad experience. Super...

Open late, unforgettable food, phenomenal conversation, and an unbeatable taste reminiscent of the years in Japan it took to fully master! And master it certainly did.

It cannot be understated how amazing this ingenious little charming location is and promises to continue to be. Gaijin is an Asian-fusion restaurant with a revolving menu that, despite its nascency (opening very recently as of 2025!), offers incredibly bold flavors, irrefutable high-quality food, and a love of the craft that will leave anyone with an indelible appreciation similar to that which the owner and chef, Remy, has for Japan.

The ambience was incredible, the serving size helpings were more than generous, and the smell wafting from the kitchen during meal prep was remarkable. It's a very low-key vibe, with the decorations unostentatious and very down-to-Earth making all feel welcome. We ordered the tonkatsu ramen with an egg on top (charmingly sunny-side up) and the teriyaki beef prime rib with white rice - and honestly, I shamelessly licked the last remnants of every bite from my teeth. The broth was warm and delectable, the meat was tender, the rice was fresh tasting and a terrific palette cleanser in between rich vegetables. Where was this chef during my childhood? He made VEGGIES flavorful and filling.

I take no amount of shame in admitting I could not help myself but praise the food and experience throughout the night. And if you would like to learn exactly why, I cannot recommend enough coming out to Hazel Park and falling in love with the place as instantly as my husband and I both did. You will not be disappointed, and will leave envisioning plans for...

My guy and I had the most absolutely incredible evening at The Gaijin Hazel Park recently, and it's all thanks to the superb customer service and pure magic created by the owner, Remy. He is truly a one-man show who makes every guest feel like family from the moment they walk through the door.

From start to finish, the experience was faultless. We ate so well – every dish was simply delicious and clearly prepared with passion. We particularly loved the Crispy Pork Fried Rice and the Traditional Ramen (I added an egg to mine, which was perfect!). The pricing was also great; it's super affordable for such high-quality food and an amazing experience.

But the evening truly came alive beyond the fantastic food. Remy's infectious enthusiasm talked us into trying out some karaoke, which was an absolute blast and added so much fun to our night. To top it all off, we even got to settle in and watch a movie, creating such a unique and cozy atmosphere.

The vibes here are just fantastic. Remy has cultivated a place that feels welcoming, lively, and genuinely joyful. It's rare to find a spot where the owner's personality shines through so brightly, making the experience personal and memorable.

If you're looking for amazing food, incredible entertainment, and customer service that goes above and beyond, you absolutely must visit The Gaijin Hazel Park and meet Remy. We can't...