Anjin — Restaurant in Kansas City

The KC food scene just got better with the addition of Anjin, a neighborhood Japanese inspired restaurant. The space is gorgeous. It is warm and welcoming without being over done. There are only 20 seats, so make sure to make a reservation. The open kitchen allows you to watch all the parts of service. The staff is knowledgeable and open to answer any question you might have. You might even be lucky enough to have one of the chefs serve your dish with a little extra explanation of the flavors and process. The menu changes so it entices you to keep coming back. The flavors aren’t anything that you will get anywhere else in KC. My favorites are the eggplant salad (the eggplant is cooked and then chilled, the texture and flavor make it unique), the chicken skewers (these change all the time and come in a set of 3), the goat curry (served with sweet potato and pickles) and the eel (perfect cooked eel with egg and rice). They also have the best sake selection in KC. There is a flight so you try and learn, by the glass options and bottles. The menu describes the flavor and has charts that will help you learn the types of sake that you like. Then there is the soft serve ice cream with all the toppings. The flavor of the ice cream and the toppings change all the time and every single one has...

This restaurant does such a great job of creating an interactive dining experience. It’s not just about sitting at a counter—you get to see the chefs at work, learn about the food, and feel part of it all. That really sets it apart.

Between our group, we tried almost the whole menu. Here’s how I’d rank my favorites: Hamachi with melon – fresh, clean, and perfectly balanced. Cabbage salad – unique with crispy sardines and little caramelized sugar pieces that made it stand out. Eel – simple but full of flavor, clearly made with care. Eggplant with snap peas and peppers – really flavorful and well-prepared. Shrimp & vegetable tempura – fun and different, still tasted light for being fried. Tomato salad – fresh and tasty, though more straightforward compared to the rest.

Others in our group loved the pork sandwich, and for dessert we shared the sesame and strawberry swirl ice cream with fun toppings—it was the perfect ending, especially when they added a candle for a birthday.

Drinks were also a highlight: the sweet potato highball with plum liquor was amazing, and the mango-lychee mocktail (with vodka added) was so refreshing.

Overall, the food, drinks, and atmosphere all made for such a memorable night. I’d...

I have been to Anjin several times now and each time has been a pleasure! The owners are all wonderful people. I feel lucky to have gotten to know Nick and Leslie when they opened The Antler Room. With Drew partnering with them to open Anjin, together they have created a very special place.

The space itself is beautiful and intimate, with an open kitchen and a large bar that surrounds it.

The menu is seasonal and changes regularly, with small plates that are perfect for sharing. My favorites right now are the skewers (which rotate regularly), the crudo, and the tomato salad.

The sake list and cocktails have been carefully curated and if you are a fan, I would definitely recommend the Negroni.

Service has always been friendly, professional, and knowledgable - the menu is largely sourced from local purveyors and we love learning about where our food comes from.

I’d recommend Anjin to anyone and have many...