Our Story
aKin was born out of a passion for redefining the culinary landscape in Toronto. Founded by the visionary duo Alvin Leung, a three Michelin-starred chef, and Eric Chong, the first winner of MasterChef Canada, aKin represents the fusion of decades of culinary expertise and a commitment to innovation in fine dining. Located in the heart of Toronto, aKin stands as the city’s premier Asian restaurant, offering an exclusive blind tasting menu that challenges the senses and reimagines traditional flavours.
Our blind tasting menu is meticulously crafted to surprise and delight our guests, transforming the dining experience into an adventurous exploration of taste. We draw inspiration from both traditional Asian recipes and contemporary culinary techniques, creating dishes that are not only visually stunning but also layered with complex flavours. This approach distinguishes us within Toronto's fine dining scene and showcases our commitment to culinary innovation.
Our dedication to excellence extends beyond the kitchen.
Every detail of the dining experience at aKin has been carefully thought out, from the custom plateware designed to enhance the presentation of each dish to the exquisite glassware and cutlery. These elements create an ambiance of sophistication and elegance, contributing to a memorable dining experience.
At aKin, we strive to create more than just a dining experience; we aim to offer a culinary journey. We invite our guests to join us on this exploration of modern Asian cuisine and to become a part of our story. As we continue to evolve and grow, we remain committed to delivering excellence, creativity, and a dining experience that is truly unparalleled in Toronto.
Welcome to aKin, where tradition meets innovation, and every meal is a new adventure.
The Menu
Embark on a culinary journey with aKin's Blind Tasting Menu, where each of the 10 meticulously crafted courses offers a modern twist on traditional Asian and fusion cuisine. This unique dining experience, priced at $275 per person, challenges your palate and introduces you to innovative flavours and textures.
Our expert team curates each dish to provide an unforgettable gastronomic adventure, with optional wine and cocktail pairings available to complement your meal perfectly.
Let aKin transform your dining expectations with this extraordinary culinary exploration.
The Beverage
At aKin, our beverage experience is masterfully curated by our award-winning mixologist, Jamison Cass. Jamison crafts innovative signature cocktails and sophisticated pairings that elevate our modern Asian cuisine, ensuring each drink complements the flavours and ingredients of every dish. His expertise and creativity bring a unique twist to classic recipes, creating an unforgettable dining experience.
Our experienced sommelier, Seyon Rajadurai, complements this with carefully selected wines, ensuring a harmonious blend of flavours with each course. Whether you choose a wine pairing or a bespoke cocktail, our thoughtfully curated beverages enhance every moment of your dining journey at aKin.
aKin:
“of similar nature or character” or "related by blood"
The name aKin reflects our culinary philosophy of modernizing traditional dishes while retaining their essence. Although Alvin and Eric are not related by blood, they have become family through their shared passion for culinary excellence. This bond is beautifully represented by our DNA-inspired central light fixture, a custom piece that illuminates the heart of the restaurant.
The Space
The Dining Room:
aKin’s Dining Room offers an immersive fine dining experience, where the ambiance is driven by the energy of both our guests and our team. The thoughtful design creates a seamless connection with the space, enriching the experience of the 10-course tasting menu in an elegant and engaging setting.
The Chef’s Counter:
aKin’s Chef’s Counter offers an exclusive dining experience within the heart of our kitchen. Seating just four guests, this intimate setup provides a front-row view of our culinary team as they craft each dish. The enhanced tasting menu features additional premium ingredients, enriching the experience and showcasing the depth of our culinary craft. This immersive journey offers a deeper connection to the artistry behind every course, delivering a truly unforgettable culinary adventure.
The Private Dining Room:
aKin's private dining room offers an intimate and exclusive dining experience for up to 8 guests. Perfect for larger parties, it features a glass wall overlooking the wine display, with curtains available for added privacy. Guests can enjoy the convenience of an optional private entrance.
Reserve your table at aKin and experience dining at its finest.
Our Team
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Eric Chong, a chemical engineering graduate turned culinary trailblazer, made history as one of the youngest winners of CTV's MasterChef Canada at just 21 years old. His victory sparked a transformative journey across Asia, where he honed his craft under the mentorship of Alvin Leung at his 3-Michelin Starred restaurant Bo Innovation.
Today, Eric is the co-owner and executive chef of Toronto's R&D Restaurant, a culinary hotspot renowned for its innovative fusion of Asian and Canadian cuisines. The restaurant has garnered critical acclaim, with Eric being named Asian Restaurateur of the Year in 2019 and R&D earning a coveted Bib Gourmand in the inaugural Michelin Guide Toronto in 2022, a distinction it retained in 2023.
His influence extends globally as co-host of Wok The World and The Maverick Academy. Eric’s charismatic presence and culinary expertise have made him a sought-after brand ambassador, forging partnerships with top-tier brands such as Acura, Gaggenau, Miele Canada, Knorr and T&T Supermarket. His impact spans food, lifestyle, and fashion, with appearances in numerous TV segments and publications that highlight his role as a leading figure in the culinary world.
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With his trademark colour-streaked hair and sunglasses, chef Alvin Leung has blazed a trail of his own in the culinary arts. The charismatic Leung’s humorous wit and personality has established him as a global celebrity chef.
The self-proclaimed ‘Demon Chef’ - the Chinese characters for which are tattooed on his arm – is one of only two rare self-taught chefs to achieve a 3 Michelin star status for his establishment. As the chef-patron of Bo Innovation – The Hong Kong Story, his unique ‘X-treme Chinese’ cuisine reinvents centuries-old ingredients and traditional recipes with modern techniques and flavours, delivering novel dishes in tune with contemporary palates. He also operates a 1 Michelin starred classic Cantonese Restaurant Demon Celebrity with renowned Chef Cheung Kim Fu.
Born in London, England, Leung spent many of his formative years in Toronto, Canada. Growing up in the suburb of Scarborough, he remains a dedicated ice hockey fan. Despite his ‘rock and roll’ image, Leung trained as an engineer, a discipline he exercised for many years. This methodical, almost scientific approach manifests in every dish he presents.
In 2003, Leung began cooking professionally at a private kitchen restaurant. That outlet eventually became Bo Innovation. In 2009, it became one of Hong Kong’s few independent restaurants (not affiliated with a hotel) to be awarded 2 Michelin stars. In 2014, it was elevated to 3 star status.
Leung also operates restaurants of various different cuisines spanning the globe including Hong Kong ,Toronto, Singapore, Dubai, They include Forbidden Duck (classic Cantonese), R&D (contemporary Asian). In Dubai his award winning restaurant Demon Duck( Pan Asian ) is found inside the Bunyan Tree hotel.
Leung’s outlandish personality and entertaining flair has made him sought after for television programs and sponsorship campaigns. He is a judge on Masterchef Canada. In Asia, he is seen on Wok The World, The Maverick Chef, Wok Stars, Seoul Extreme and Seoul Refined. In Nov 2024 his featured show The Maverick Academy with be shown on Netflix. In 2018, he launched his first book, Alvin Leung: My Hong Kong, featuring signature dishes from Bo Innovation.
