If you’ve ever wanted to be surprised, delighted, occasionally confused, and gently fed by people who’ve clearly watched a lot of sci-fi cooking shows, then aKin in Toronto is calling your name—possibly in both Cantonese and molecular binary.
Tucked away on Colborne Street in Old Town, aKin is the kind of place that doesn’t just serve dinner. It offers a culinary séance. You sit down, relinquish all control, and surrender to a 10-course blind tasting menu crafted by two people who are clearly very smart, very talented, and maybe just a little unhinged—in the best possible way.
The masterminds behind this edible adventure are Eric Chong and Alvin Leung, a duo so perfectly mismatched they practically belong in a buddy-cop movie. Eric is the Canadian-born chemical engineer-turned-MasterChef Canada winner, who gave up cubicles for consommé. Alvin is the larger-than-life, self-taught “Demon Chef” with three Michelin stars and a penchant for making things like edible condoms and molecular dumplings. Together, they bring mad scientist energy to the kitchen—if your mad scientists also had impeccable plating skills and a flair for theatrical lighting.
The name aKin is a nod to both family and DNA (there’s literally a double helix light fixture in the room, because why not?). It’s also a tribute to Eric’s grandfather, Kin Hung Ng, a self-taught dim sum chef whose influence runs deep through the restaurant’s soul.
Dining here is an experience designed to spark memory, curiosity, and a fair bit of wide-eyed blinking. We said WOW a lot! There’s no menu to scan or order to place. You just show up, maybe make a nervous joke about not knowing what you’re eating, and then sit back while the servers (who could moonlight as therapists, given how soothingly they explain everything) walk you through the journey.
Open since November 2024, aKin’s menu changes often and always has a theme. I indulged in Dim Sum, Reimagined. References to old favorites but with a twist…light fluffy Char Siu Bao (bbq’d pork buns) but with iberico ham…I could have eaten a thousand. Starting August 8th the menu is street food inspired. I can only imagine what magic Eric will perform.
The space itself is sleek and intimate, with room for just 28 guests, a chef’s counter for four brave souls, and a hidden eight-seat private room for those seeking dinner with a side of mystery. Everything about the design whispers “exclusive,” but not in a snobby way—more like you’ve stumbled into an avant-garde dinner party hosted by friends who happen to be way better at cooking than yours.
And while the $275 ($350 for the chef’s table) price tag might make your wallet whimper, rest assured: this isn’t just a meal. It’s memory-making, Michelin-hopeful, tell-all-your-friends-afterward kind of stuff. There’s also an optional cocktail or wine pairing if you’d like your taste buds to hallucinate just a little more vividly. The Melon Milk is a must try… a creative mix of flavours…pisco, melon liquor, vanilla and cucumber somehow clarified with milk…the taste is sheer heaven.
aKin isn’t for the faint of appetite or those with trust issues. But if you’re up for surprises, storytelling, and a dining experience where food, family, and futuristic flair collide, then this is your spot. Just maybe don’t wear tight pants.
Reservations are a must as they do not take walk-ins. Give them as much advanced notice as possible and they will do their best on dietary restrictions.