Kanin — Restaurant in Lake View Township

We were fortunate to get in line early enough for opening day. Really dig the vibe they're going for; comfy corner store. Feels like a neighborhood spot.

There are a few shelves and coolers of popular Filipino/Hawaiian and Asian snacks and drinks e.g. Japanese Kit Kats and Oreos, shrimp chips, POG Juice, etc. Plenty of cool art all over the walls that show off their character. There isn't a lot of seating here, plan to take your food to go.

This spot is exactly what I was hoping it would be. Really good, simple, comfort food that reminds me of both my Filipino roots, and time spent in Hawaii. 'Simple' isn't a knock either. Too often, people try and reinvent the wheel and things get complicated. The ratio of rice to toppings on the musubi was perfect. The textures were right. The flavors were bold and balanced. Their skewers were tender and delicious but could've used another day in their marinade. And that's truly the only constructive feedback I have after trying their whole menu.

The Ube Banana Pudding (UBP) was phenomenal. In a world where just being sweet and purple = "ube," it was fantastic to finally eat an ube dessert I know my Lola would've loved to eat. I would come back here just for the UBP.

It'll be interesting to see what Kanin holds for the future and how they keep us coming back for more. I was very impressed that things ran so smooth on opening day. This is the corner store Chicago has been missing....

So happy I got to stop by this place! It's a small spot and I wanted to get there before the rush so I got there a little after they opened.

The parking situation is 0 out of 10! There's street parking but it's not easy to find.

I came in and thought the decor and vibe was very cute and inviting. It feel like I was at a small shop in Hawaii.

The service was good and the man in front took my order right away. I ordered 5 misubis, a Classic Spam, a Spam and Egg, a Tomato and Egg, Longonisa and Egg and a Sinigang Shrimp. The Classic Spam misubi was good, very traditional with nice and subtle but good flavors. The Spam and Egg misubi was also very good with the egg being very stable but also fluffy at the same time! The Longonisa and Egg misubi was so good! Perfect taste in every bite and not to sweet and a little charred, it was so well balanced! And the Sinigang Shrimp misubi was perfectly balanced with a touch of sour that makes you come running back for more!

In addition I got a cucumber salad from the fridge whoch was very fresh ans a little sweet.

And I also got the Ube Banana Pudding and OH MY GOODNESS! I dont evwn like banana pudding but this one! This Ube Banana Pudding was absolutely heavenly!

Overall, 10 out of 10, I would recommend this place every time and cant wait...

As a chef, I just want to say this is exactly the place you want to support right now.

In a climate where food is always some combination of pretentious, mediocre, inconsistent, or overpriced, Kanin stands out as delicious, accessible, and authentic.

If you are unfamiliar with musubi, (an island snack inspired by onigiri), come here and get yourself familiar. As soon as you've eaten one, whether it's the classic spam, somehow-still-crispy-even-though-it's-wrapped-in-plastic shrimp, or veggie friendly egg, you'll be thinking of your next one before you even finish the first.

The Kahlua pork is a grab and go lunch you will not regret, and at $10 it's a tastier, more filling, and more exciting option than almost any of the lunch options around these days.

Most of all come here because the people behind the project are worth supporting. It's good food and they're working hard.

Four stars for ambience, only because I'm looking forward to this place expanding their seating a little someday...

I'm hoping we'll see more of these delicious, authentic neighborhood spots to support in the coming months and years from our...