Kaiju: the Asian monster that sleeps at the foot of the JAM 🐉

Updated on September 30, 2026 by Pierre

We've been walking past the red neon sign for a while now, that large KAIJŪ doubled with its two kanji 怪獣, planted in the shop window on Chaussée de Charleroi . This time, we went in. And we understood why the place is packed on a Tuesday night as well as on a Saturday.

🏙️ A raw ground floor in the heart of Saint-Gilles

Kaiju occupies the ground floor of the JAM Hotel, a concrete-themed establishment housed in a former art school. The decor embraces a raw, unapologetic aesthetic : concrete pillars, an open kitchen where chefs can be seen at work, round tables, pale green chairs, and red candles. At the bar, Japanese lanterns and shelves of bottles complete the setting.

The name itself is no accident. Kaiju are the giant monsters of Japanese cinema, Godzilla being the most prominent. Here, the monster is rather greedy, and rather friendly.

🥢 The izakaya spirit: we share everything

The menu (in English, be warned) sets the tone: this is the place to be for a convivial time in the spirit of izakayas , those Japanese bistros where plates circulate around the table. The house recommendation: five courses for two people. We followed this advice, and it was exactly the right amount.

Dishes range from €9 to €14, allowing you to plan your evening without needing a calculator. The cuisine draws inspiration from Japan, Korea, China, and Thailand, with a real taste for mixing: a krokette with Comté cheese, calamansi, and jalapeños; a burrata with caramelized tomato and nuoc-mâm; or a "KFC" version of Korean fried chicken.

🍜 What we tasted

The Szechuan-style wontons kick things off: dumplings filled with pork, ginger, and spring onion, bathed in a soy and vinegar sauce, topped with a crunchy garnish and fresh coriander. It's the kind of bowl you only share reluctantly.

The slow-cooked pork belly , glazed with orange and topped with herbs, melts in your mouth – absolutely divine. The kaprao mussels arrive in a pretty blue and white bowl: Thai basil, lime, chilies, and coconut milk. A truly brilliant idea for a city that considers itself a mussel expert, only to discover that they can be cooked in ways other than white wine.

A chilled Kirin Ichiban is the perfect accompaniment. The cocktail menu focuses on yuzu, shochu, and a few house twists for those who want something a little more adventurous.

🍵 The dessert that's causing a stir

We could have stopped there. We're glad we didn't. The matcha tiramisu, served in a blue-rimmed enamel dish, retains the creamy texture of the Italian classic while replacing the cocoa with the vegetal bitterness of green tea. We also couldn't resist the CHOCODZILLA chocolate cake : CHOCOLATE BROWNIE, CARAMEL AND WALNUT ICE CREAM, PASSION FRUIT CARAMEL, AND SESAME

Two desserts, two spoons, zero regrets.

📍 Practical information

Kaiju is located at 132 Chaussée de Charleroi, in Saint-Gilles, a few minutes' walk from the square and Place Stéphanie. The restaurant is open only in the evenings, from Tuesday to Saturday, with the kitchen serving from 19 pm to 10 pm. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially on weekends: book online or by calling 02 537 22 05.

Our verdict: a place to keep in mind for dinners with friends where you want to try everything without breaking the bank or taking yourself too seriously. We'll definitely be back, if only for the tiramisu. 🔴