Bringing something different to the table

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This article was published 07/02/2019 (2619 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A new restaurant on Regent is bringing an authentic Japanese lounge experience to the Park City.

Gaijin Izakaya, which opened on Dec. 13, 2018 at 2-1575 Regent Ave. W, is the latest project from chef Ed Lam, owner of Yujiro (1822 Grant Ave.). 

“We’re the only authentic izakaya restaurant in Winnipeg,” Lam said. “I have another Japanese restaurant, more authentic sushi rolls, maki, stuff like that. So we wanted to try something different.”

Foregoing sushi for shareable plates, Lam is hoping to attract the sort of crowd that enjoys good food, good company, and good times.

“Izakaya is a Japanese-style lounge, with tapas, cocktails, shots, sake, beer,” he said. “When I travel in Japan, that’s what we do at night. We go, have some food, have some fun, have some drinks.”

While booths line the outside of Gaijin Izakaya, communal tables fill the restaurant, inviting diners to get social. The menu features ramen bowls, barbecue skewers, braised sashimi, and a wide variety of snackable items, while the bar is stocked with sake, Japanese beer, and the makings for Japanese cocktails.

“Winnipeg is a very friendly city, so I don’t see why we don’t have restaurants like that,” Lam said. “I was thinking, ‘What the heck. Let’s do it.’ It brings people together. It’s common to share with people, get a conversation going, they become friends.”

Lam, who was recently a featured chef for this sixth time at Raw:Almond at the Forks, believes Winnipeg punches above its weight as far as producing quality chefs and exciting food. 

“You’d be surprised,” he said. “Winnipeg is pretty accepting of international cuisine or new style food. I think the label that Winnipeg is a ‘bargain city’ has to go now. Locals support new ideas.”

That, in part, was what brought Lam to Transcona.

“I thought this area needed something like us,” he said. “There are lots of independent restaurants in this area, but mostly Americanized restaurant. Transcona has so many people living here and it’s growing. Give it a little time, people will explore more.”

And while the doors to Gaijin Izakaya have only been open a couple months, Lam said he is happy with the response to date.

“It’s really fresh still,” he admitted. “I can’t say we’re always full house, but weekends we’ve done pretty good. We’re trying lunch, but we don’t know, we’re giving it a shot.”

Sheldon Birnie
Community Journalist

Sheldon Birnie is a reporter/photographer for the Free Press Community Review. The author of Missing Like Teeth: An Oral History of Winnipeg Underground Rock (1990-2001), his writing has appeared in journals and online platforms across Canada, the U.S. and the U.K. A husband and father of two young children, Sheldon enjoys playing guitar and rec hockey when he can find the time. Email him at sheldon.birnie@freepress.mb.ca Call him at 204-697-7112

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