Our Story
One-MICHELIN-Star 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 and MICHELIN Guide Toronto & Region 2025 Young Chef Award winner. 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 at aKin through a 10 course tasting menu where tradition is reimagined and innovation takes centre stage. Each course offers a thoughtful interpretation of classic Asian flavours, drawing from deep-rooted memories while embracing contemporary techniques and presentation.
This season, the menu celebrates the spirit of Asian street food. In places like Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Japan, street food is more than a meal. It is culture, connection, and comfort served in its purest form. These dishes bring people together and leave a lasting impression.
At aKin, those familiar flavours are transformed with care and creativity. Each dish captures the soul of the streets while embracing the precision of modern fine dining.
Let aKin transform your dining expectations with this extraordinary culinary exploration.
The Beverage
At aKin, the beverage experience is thoughtfully designed to complement and enhance the flavours of our modern Asian cuisine. Our selection of cocktails and pairings is crafted with precision, balancing innovation with tradition to create a seamless harmony between food and drink. From refined twists on classic recipes to unique flavour combinations, each beverage is curated to elevate the dining experience and bring a new dimension to every course.
Our in house sommelier, 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.
The Bar
Visit us at The Bar where sleek design meets warm hospitality. Whether you are enjoying a pre-dinner aperitif or conversing over small plates and cocktails, the bar at aKin is a sophisticated escape where every detail is designed to elevate your evening.
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.
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 Chef’s Counter experience is priced at $75 more per guest than the Dining Room.
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 is a chemical engineering graduate turned culinary trailblazer whose true calling has always been cooking. At just 21 years old, he became the first ever winner of CTV’s MasterChef Canada, making him one of the youngest champions in the franchise’s global history. Determined to prove himself in the culinary world, Eric travelled extensively through Asia with his mentor, Chef Alvin Leung, refining his craft at Alvin’s three Michelin starred Bo Innovation in Hong Kong.
Eric now co owns R&D Restaurant in Toronto with Chef Leung, a modern eatery that pays tribute to traditional Asian flavours and beloved Canadian dishes. Open for over 10 years, R&D has received a Bib Gourmand from the Michelin Guide Toronto every single year since the guide’s launch and remains one of the city’s most celebrated dining destinations. In 2019, Eric was named Asian Restaurateur of the Year, recognizing his leadership and innovation in redefining Asian Canadian cuisine.
In 2025, Eric launched aKin, a fine dining restaurant in downtown Toronto that celebrates modern Asian cuisine through storytelling, artistry, and a deep respect for heritage and innovation. In less than a year, aKin became the only new restaurant in Ontario to receive one Michelin star, joining an elite group of just 16 one star restaurants across the province.
That same year, Eric received the Michelin Young Chef Award 2025, an honour presented to a rising culinary talent who demonstrates exceptional creativity, technical mastery, and leadership at an early stage in their career. The award recognizes Eric’s ability to merge innovation with cultural authenticity, qualities that have become the foundation of his cooking philosophy.
Eric is now one of the only chefs in Canada to own and operate both a Bib Gourmand restaurant and a Michelin starred restaurant, a rare achievement that showcases his versatility and excellence across all levels of dining.
Beyond the kitchen, Eric has captivated audiences as the co host of Wok The World (Seasons 1 and 2), filmed across Asia, and as the host of The Maverick Academy, which aired on Netflix Asia in 2024. His work has been featured on Food Network Canada and in numerous food, lifestyle, fashion, and home publications. He has also collaborated with leading brands such as Gaggenau, Miele Canada, Acura, All Clad, T&T Supermarket, Lee Kum Kee, and Maille Canada.
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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.
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 Banyan 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 2018, he launched his first book, Alvin Leung: My Hong Kong, featuring signature dishes from Bo Innovation.
Mike Birdsey, General Manager
NATHAN MURRAY, BAR MANAGER
Ryan Hoan, Chef de Cuisine
FLORA ZHANG, PASTRY CHEF
