Gaijin

GAIJIN

Restaurant Gaijin is Tomi Björck and Matti Wikberg’s second restaurant. Gaijin takes you on a journey to North Asia. Located in an excellent spot on the corner of Bulevardi and Yrjönkatu, the restaurant opened its doors in April of 2011. Gaijin offers unique flavors by combining traditional Japanese and Korean dishes with dishes from the North of China, in a modern way. The restaurant’s facilities are suitable for various kinds of events and gatherings. The dining room has a warm intimate atmosphere suitable for a private dining experience, whilst the bar is a relaxed lounge area with long communal tables and a sunny terrace which offers something for everyone. Irasshaimase! That means welcome in Japanese.

Located in a superb spot on Bulevardi, Gaijin offers versatile facilities for various kinds of gatherings and events. The decor has been designed by Risto Wikberg and the most notable element is the use of solid wood and other natural materials. The entire decor is handcrafted from Finnish wood. The window between the dining room and kitchen gives the customers an opportunity to see what is going on in the cooks’ world.

DINING ROOM
The main dining room has a feeling of warm intimacy, providing an excellent atmosphere for both smaller and larger groups. Seating for approx. 65 people.

LONG COMMUNAL TABLE
Perfect for a relaxed gathering, the long table in the lounge offers a great way to socialize in the heart of the restaurant. Seating for 10–16 people.

TERRACE
The sunny and elegant terrace gives you an opportunity to enjoy quality drinks and dishes while enjoying the fresh air and action of the city. Seating for 24 people.

LOUNGE
In Gaijin’s cocktail bar you can enjoy delicious drinks. The entire menu is also available in the lounge if you feel like a bite to eat. You don’t need a reservation. Just pop in for a drink and something savory or sweet. Seating for approx. 40 people.

PRIVATE DINING ROOM
The private dining room charms with its atmosphere. The beautiful wooden venetian doors create an intimate atmosphere without being completely isolated from the rest of the restaurant. The doors can also be opened if you wish to have a full view of the dining room. Seating for 9–12 people.

BACKGROUND

The idea of a modern Asian restaurant in Helsinki was born when Tomi Björck and Matti Wikberg, the founders of Gaijin, worked together at Chez Dominique. Serving modern Southeast Asian food, Farang opened its doors in 2009. Before opening Farang, Tomi and Matti already had an idea for another restaurant that would offer modern Asian food in the heart of the city, but from another part of Asia. Trips to China, Korea and Japan as well as to Sydney, the mecca of modern Asian cuisine, and New York have influenced Gaijin’s menu.

Gaijin offers authentic north Asian flavors in a modern way.

There aren’t many modern North Asian restaurants that combine the flavors of North China, Japan and Korea. Gaijin brings something new to Helsinki with its relaxed atmosphere, excellent drinks and unique food. Gaijin is a place where you can relax without the unnecessary stiffness of fine dining.

Our bartender Jun Kondo’s drink list includes fresh flavors from North Asia. Our sommelier, Janne Halla, has compiled a great sake and wine list to be enjoyed with Gaijin’s dishes or as such. The warm and friendly service is one of our assets. Our staff will be happy to help you find the best food and drink combinations for different purposes.

MONDAY (no lunch) 5pm – 10pm
Dinner menu 5pm – 00

TUESDAY 11.30am – 00
Lunch 11.30am – 1.30pm
Dinner menu 5pm – 10pm

WEDNESDAY – THURSDAY 11.30am – 00
Lunch 11.30am – 1.30pm
Dinner menu 5pm – 10.00pm

FRIDAY 11.30am – 02am
Lunch 11.30am – 1.30pm
Dinner menu 5pm – 10.00pm

SATURDAY (no lunch) 5pm – 02am
Dinner menu 5pm – 10.00

SUNDAY (no lunch) 5pm – 10pm
Daily menus (3/6 dishes)

Make reservation »

Restaurant Gaijin
Bulevardi 6
00120 Helsinki

Restaurant +358 (0)10 322 9381 (today's reservations)
Reservations +358 (0)10 322 9386
info@gaijin.fi
Sales service open mon-fri 7-21.00,
sat 11-16.00 & sun 9-18.00

At Gaijin eating is all about socializing and most of the dishes have been designed to be shared. Gaijin’s chef has designed two set menus and by choosing one for your entire table, you can jump on board the train of flavors. Let our experienced staff lead the way. We have also designed drink packages which complement the flavors throughout the menu. All dishes can be enjoyed at the same time with other dishes and we encourage you to mix different flavors. Food and drink is an integral part of the Gaijin family and we’re happy to share it with you.

MENU GAIJIN 66/PERSON

MUSSEL

green shell mussel, ‘lemon jam’-yuzu dressing, seaweed caviar

PORK BUN

pork belly, togarashi mayonnaise, pickled cucumber, soft bread

SASHIMI

sashimi of the day

FOIE & UNAGI ’NIGIRI’

glazed eel, duck liver, ‘nori’ weed, teriyaki rice

CRISPY SOFTSHELL SALAD

crispy softshell crab, tobiko roe dressing, apple and daikon salad, hazelnuts

BABY BACK PORK RIBS

pork ribs, soy-mirin caramel, togarashi

AVOCADO & WASABI SCALLOPS

pan fried scallop, wasabi flavored avocado, soy-mirin dressing, seaweed caviar

BO SSÄM GAIJIN

grilled pork belly, ginger, salad leaves, pickled vegetables, kimchi, goma dressing, chili paste

GOHAN japanese rice

RHUBARB & VANILLA

white chocolate and cassia-cinnamon crème, vanilla marinated rhubarb, mint-rhubarb sorbet

MATCHING DRINKS 46 OR 59/PERSON

MENU SHINJUKU 62/PERSON

BEEF TAR TAR SHIZO

beef tartar on a shizo leaf, shizo mayonnaise, Japanese pickles

DIM SUM

dim sum of the day

SECHUAN PEPPER SQUID

fried octopus, sechuan pepper, ‘inked’ mayonnaise, sweet chili dressing

KOREAN LAMB CHOPS

grilled lamb chops, kimchi dressing, cucumber and daikon kimchi

DASHI BUTTERFISH

grilled butterfish, soy-dashi emulsion, grilled asparagus, sugar snaps, bean sprouts

KIMCHI VEAL CHEEK HOT POT

braised veal cheek, Korean kimchi broth, kimchi mayonnaise

GOHAN japanese rice

ALMOND GEISHA

salt caramel, almond ice cream, milk chocolate crème, almond brittle, almond soup

MATCHING DRINKS 49/hlö

Tasting menu is served for the entire table only

SNACKS

SALMON TAR TAR RICE CAKE 4

Japanese salmon tartar on a rice cake, roe, wasabi mayonnaise

MUSSEL 4

green shell mussel, ’lemon jam’-yuzu dressing, seaweed caviar

BEEF TAR TAR SHIZO 4

beef tartar on a shizo leaf, shizo mayonnaise, Japanese pickles

PORK BUN 5

pork belly, togarashi mayonnaise, pickled cucumber, soft bread

DIM SUM

SOY & GINGER DUCK 7

steamed duck dumplings flavored with soy and ginger

KIMCHI PORK & TIGER PRAWN SHU MAI 3

steamed dim sum filled with pork and tiger prawn, kimchi

SCALLOP & PRAWN MONEY BAG 3

steamed tiger prawn-scallop dumpling flavored with miso

SHIITAKE & BOK CHOY SHU MAI 3

steamed dim sum filled with shiitake mushrooms, tofu and bok choy

CHINESE LAMB BALL 3

minced lamb, sesame-teriyaki dressing

FRESH

SASHIMI TASTING 24

selection of sashimi, roe, wasabi-yuzu dressing, wakame, wasabi mayonnaise

BEEF TAR TAR 24

beef tartar, wakame salad, wasabi soy-mirin dressing, dashi

CRISPY SOFTSHELL SALAD 26

crispy softshell crab, tobiko roe dressing,

apple and daikon salad, hazelnuts

PIKE PERCH TATAKI 24

pike perch, grilled leek, aojiso dressing, leek dust

SSÄM JANG BEEF SALAD 24

beef and noodle salad, daikon, mint, pink grapefruit dressing

’GTST’ 22

marinated tomato, tofu, crispy green bean, shizo, roasted sesame, goma dressing

SZECHUAN PEPPER SQUID 24

fried octopus, sechuan pepper, ‘inked’ mayonnaise, sweet chili dressing

FOIE & UNAGI ´NIGIRI´ 25

glazed eel, duck liver, ‘nori’ weed, teriyaki rice 4 pcs

MAINS

DASHI BUTTERFISH 26

grilled butterfish, soy dashi emulsion, grilled asparagus, sugar snaps, bean sprouts

MISO ARCTIC CHAR, APPLE & LEMON 26

saikyo-miso marinated arctic char, apple, cucumber, lemon jam, walnut, marinated roe, truffle-dashi broth

AVOCADO & WASABI SCALLOPS 26

pan fried scallop, wasabi flavored avocado, soy-mirin dressing, seaweed caviar

BO SSÄM GAIJIN 33

grilled pork belly, ginger, salad leaves, pickled vegetables, kimchi, goma dressing, chili paste

SPICY PORK RAMEN 25

ramen noodles, spicy broth, pork shin, pork belly, mushrooms

KIMCHI VEAL CHEEK HOT POT 27

braised veal cheek, Korean kimchi broth, kimchi mayonnaise

CHINESE ’MASTER STOCK’ CHICKEN 28

crispy fried chicken braised in master stock, goma dressing, Japanese mustard

MONGOLIAN LAMB HOT POT 27

braised lamb neck, grilled and smoked fennel, lamb broth

GRILL

PORK BELLY YAKINIKU 24

grilled pork belly marinated with sweet soy 4 pcs

KOREAN LAMB CHOPS 26

grilled lamb chops, kimchi dressing, cucumber and daikon kimchi

GRILLED TIGER PRAWNS & ’YUZU BEURRE NOISETTE’ 27

grilled tiger prawns, browned beurre-yuzu dressing, roasted nuts, sour cream

BABY BACK PORK RIBS 25

pork ribs, soy-mirin caramel, togarashi

X.O. GRILLED BEEF RIB-EYE 32

grilled beef marinated in rare Chinese ’XO’ sauce, daikon kimchi, pickled cucumber

DAIKON MISO & GRILLED ASPARAGUS 22

miso stewed daikon, pine nuts, grilled asparagus, miso-kombu dressing

SIDES

CHOI SUM 9

water cress, ginger, garlic

PICKLES 6

variation of pickled vegetables

KIMCHI 6

Gaijin’s Korean cabbage pickles

GOHAN 3

Japanese rice

RHUBARB & VANILLA 11

white chocolate and cassia-cinnamon crème, vanilla marinated rhubarb, mint-rhubarb sorbet

GAIJIN CHEESE CAKE & CARROT 11

cheesecake, yuzu flavored carrot sorbet,
marinated carrot

GREEN TEA & WHITE XOCO 11

green tea flavored white chocolate mousse, meringue,
Granny smith apple, Szechuan pepper

ALMOND GEISHA 11

salt caramel, almond ice cream,
milk chocolate crème,
almond brittle, almond soup

SWEET TASTING 26

tasting plate of Gaijin’s desserts for two

(also available for the whole table part)

Click here to get our lunch menus

Click here to get our Sunday menus

(Please note that on Sundays we offer either a six or a three course menus, normal ala carte list is not available. Present weeks menu is available online on Sunday morning, however the previous weeks menu gives you an idea of the structure.)

Gaijin’s drink list has taken its time to develop, a bit like some of the finest wines on the list. It is a sign of a passionate approach to wines, other high quality drinks and gastronomy. It has been affected by trips abroad, intuition, tips from friends, professional partners and above all, our own senses. Tasting is where it all begins and where it also ends. Tasting drinks has given us an opportunity to recognize quality and compile our own list, with one amazing drink after another at a good price-quality ratio.

Asian drinks play a major role on Gaijin’s drinks list. Traditional sake is an excellent accompaniment to Asian food and most of the sakes are only available at Gaijin. Sake can also be flavored with fresh yuzu or kabosu fruit juice. Sweet umeshu extracted from ume fruit is an excellent way to end a meal, while strong shōchū can be mixed into a cocktail or enjoyed straight up.

Wines are often aromatic and very clean, which makes them go well with North Asian food. Ultra-modern wine producers with their loud labels go hand in hand with the traditional and conservative European wine regions on Gaijin’s wine list. Restricting the combinations of food and wine is not something we do at Gaijin. The most important thing is a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere which will definitely guarantee a successful dinner. Our experienced staff will be happy to help you to choose the right wines.

Is Chinese Cabernet Sauvignon good? That’s a tough question and you won’t find out the answer until coming to the unique environment of Gaijin. You are welcome to come on a journey to North Asia!

Jouni Olkkonen, head sommelier

Sake is a high quality, traditional Japanese beverage. Contrary to popular belief, it is not a distilled spirit or rice wine. Sake is a fermented beverage like beer. However, in the end sake resembles more wine than beer and is usually described in those terms in the wine world. At Gaijin, we offer high quality sake served chilled.

Gassan No Yuki Junmai Ginjo 79

Kioke Shikome Junmai Daiginjo 86

Taru Sake 72

Ori Nigori Sake 72

Kippuku Kinju Yamahai Junmai Ginjo 83

Kozaemon 3 years old Junmai-Shu 72

SAMPLES FROM OUR WINE LIST

SPARKLING

Cava Allegro Brut Reserva, Gramona, Penedés, Spain 56

Bonnaire Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs 89

Veuve Clicquot Brut 97

Laherte Frères Les Vignes d’Autrefois Extra Brut 117

Taittinger Les Folies de la Marquetterie Brut 131

Armand de Brignac Blanc de Blancs 450

WHITES

Satellite Riesling 2011, Spy Valley Wines, Marlborough, New Zealand 41

Scheurebe Trocken 2010, Weegmüller, Pfalz, Germany 49

Gessamí 2012, Gramona, Penèdes, Spain 52

Cuvée Love 69 2011, Nové Vinarství, South Moravia, Czech Republic 61

Sorriso 2005, Paolo Scavino, Piedmont, Italy 73

Mont de Milieu 1er Cru 2010, Samuel Billaud, Chablis, Bourgogne, France 83

REDS

Solà Fred 2011, Celler el Masroig, Montsant, Spain 38

Incognito 2010, Phillip Kuhn, Pfalz, Germany 52

Killer Vintage 2010, First Drop, South Australia 59

The Tentacle Syrah 2009, Eight Arms Cellars, California, USA 66

GT-G 2010, Le Plan-Vermeersch, Côtes du Rhône, France 75

Barbera d’Alba 2009, Sandrone Luciano, Piedmont, Italy 97

SWEET

Huxelrebe Beerenauslese 2008, Bioweingut Lorenz, Rheinhessen, Germany 37,5cl 45

Riesling Icewine 2008, Pillitteri Estates Winery, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada 37,5cl 75

GAIJIN COCKTAILS

SHISO KIRI 11

shiso, ginger, lime juice

SHINSEN POMELO 12

fresh pomelo, lemongrass, egg white, lemon

LAST SAMURAI 10

kaffir lime, fresh lime juice

HERUSHINKI 11

cucumber, mint, lime juice, ginger

BORDER LINE 11

pink grapefruit, mint, lemongrass

GAIJIN MARTINI 11

apple juice, lemongrass and ginger, agave

TSUKIJI FISHMARKET 13

salmon sashimi, cucumber, pickled ginger

TOGARASHI LOVER 11

passion fruit, agave, lemon, togarashi

SUKI SUKI 11

watermelon, lime juice, ginger

MR. CIONCA 11

apple juice, lemon juice

GAIJIN COCKTAILS

SHIBUYA 12

kaffir lime, raspberries, lychee

KISHO KURAKAWA 12

kumquat, shiso, orange juice

TOKYO HOTEL 11

kiwi, mint, kaffir lime, apple juice

SPICY ICE-T 12

spicy rooibos, lemon grass, ginger beer

KU MI TEE 12

eldew flower, apple juice, lychee

MINI MOTO 11

passion fruit, lemon, vanilla, egg white

CHERRY BISCUS 12

lemon juice

BILL MURRAY 12

angostura bitters

HATTORI HANSO ´no.2´ 13

vanilla, espresso

`SININE’ ENKELI-SECOND COMING 13

blueberry, vanilla lemon

Gaijin can also be used for various kinds of events.

In order to ensure the comfort and flow of the event, we ask groups of more than 8 people to select a uniform menu in advance. Our sales staff will send you the menu options via an electronic format after receiving the reservation request. We do take special diets into consideration and a vegan menu is available if requested in advance.

Please note that Gaijin has a few different reservation times:
From 5 pm to 7.30 pm, 5.30 pm to 8 pm, 6 pm to 8.30 pm and from 8 pm onwards. Kitchen takes last orders in at 10 pm

Please note that your email reservation is not confirmed until the restaurant has confirmed it via a return email or by phone. You can also make reservations via phone +358 10 322 9386 or via email info@gaijin.fi. Beyond sales service opening hours please contact number +358 103229381 / Restaurant Gaijin.

EXCEPTIONS IN OPENING TIMES
On Thursday 20th of May sales service is open 10am-4pm
During 20th-23rd of May Boulevard Social is closed. On Monday 24th of May we open for dinner at 5pm. Also on Monday 1st of July we open for dinner at 5pm.