Editor enjoys Japanese and Korean cuisine at Gaja Gaja on South St.

By Erin Brodbeck
Collegian Editor
November 14, 2007

I’m only 21 years old and I’ve already fallen into a dining funk. I’m sure I’m not alone; people tend to pick out favorite restaurants and get so hooked on them they neglect to check out the worthwhile eateries around them.

I frequent South Street quite a bit, but after spending a few years going to the same places during each visit, I decided to try something brand new. Tucked among the many quirky establishments found on South Street is Gaja Gaja, a somewhat new Japanese/Korean sit-down restaurant that opened Sept. 10.

The atmosphere of Gaja Gaja is minimalist and modern-looking. The walls are a light green color, which compliment the light hardwood floor and black chairs. The service is great; the food came fast, but we weren’t rushed.

Being a Japanese food novice, I avoided sushi for the time being, although the menu offers a ton of selections if that’s what you’re into. You can order one roll for around $4.50, but if you have a major hankering for tons o’ sushi, it’s going to end up costing about $50 for a platter. They offer everything from avocado rolls to salmon rolls, so there’s plenty to choose from. For those a little less adventurous, and fearful of the raw fish involved with some types of sushi, I’d recommend what I ordered, udon. It’s basically soup with extremely thick noodles and a few veggies I didn’t quite recognize. The restaurant is vegetarian-friendly, so udon comes with tofu or vegetables. Udon with beef or chicken is also an option, if you are so inclined. The only problem with udon is that it’s slightly awkward to eat. They give you a special Japanese soup spoon to eat with, which is helpful, but diners who aren’t as agile with chopsticks might have to ask for a fork to deal with the long noodles.

My dining partner ordered the dolsot bibimbop, a Korean dish served in a piping hot stone bowl. It consists of rice, veggies and your choice of tofu or meat, topped off with an egg. The white rice has a nice flavor, and it is especially fun to eat the layer of rice that hardens a bit at the bottom. If you like your food spicy, the entrée comes with a side of sauce that adds a punch to the rice and veggies.

Gaja Gaja does not have a dessert menu, but if you’d like a treat to finish the meal, the restaurant offers green tea ice cream, but nothing else. I didn’t sample the ice cream, but the dish I saw served to a nearby diner looked worth a shot if I wasn’t full of udon and bibimbop.

Overall, Gaja Gaja is a lovely dining experience that won’t take too much out of your sparse college-kid budget. If you’re looking for something unique, or you’re a fan of Japanese or Korean food, this might become the place you neglect to visit other restaurants for.

brodbecke1@lasalle.edu