My favorite restaurant in LA. The food is as special as the chef herself. I want to visit more often because the pandemic did a number on her business, but my wallet says otherwise. That said, I will always come back on special occasions!
Michael M.
Most underrated restaurant in LA. The menu is always changing so, if you can afford it, you can go monthly. It's good it's not packed with hip foodies but I want this place to be recognized as every bit as good as N Naka or Hayato.
Alex B.
I don't say this lightly but this might be the best meal I've had in LA. Every course was so flavorful. The crab and the smoky abalone were real highlights. The sake/wine pairings were generous and perfectly matched each dish. We'll almost certainly be back
Gabriel Martini
Unforgettable dinner and service. Their attention to detail is impressive, and every dish was well thought out, delicious, and memorable. A+. I'll be back soon!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Michele Shi
Fun time at kinkan! We had the where are we going tasting menu which was cool to experience and learn anout each dish and how the chef came up with it. The head chef was not in town that day so the sous was serving us. The best dishes were the ama ebi, tuna tartare, and ceviche! All of the staff was very kind tooUnfortunately one of the items was substituted with bolognese which was disappointing (supposed to be uni pasta). And the fish and chips (amaida, matsutake) and crab fried rice was not impressive for this price point. I think it was great experience but food didn’t feel worth it in the end so I would not go back a second time.Parking: Small parking lot, handful of spaces
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Daniel C.
Chef Nan blew us away again. Back after 2 years and the food did not disappoint. The food was so flavorful. Service was so attentive. The chef was so engaging and the staff extremely knowledgeable. My stomach is happy and full.
Anuj Dixit
Great meal, make sure chef Nan is there.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kathy P.
Familiar dishes, yet somehow delightfully reinvented. At first glance, you might see the list of traditional Thai dishes on the menu, but you'll quickly discover that each has some sort of spin to it. Hard to describe, like an unexpected ingredient here or there, or a different way to prepare a salad. My boyfriend and I enjoyed their take of the beef stew and Tom yum. The soft shell crab was delicious in every bite. The waiter shared with us how each ingredient was carefully picked, and we truly appreciate how fresh all the dishes tasted. I think the dishes are unique here, and you wouldn't find something comparable in other LA establishments.The entrance is very unassuming, easily missed on Vigil street. But don't miss coming to KinKan. It's worth it!
Ishita A.
This was a really special experience! My husband and I had the smaller tasting menu (which was actually extremely filling) which was compromised of 4 savory dishes + dessert from around the world (but each with some thai influence.) My favorite was the starting chirashi bowl where each component was perfect and tender. The chef is super friendly and chatted with us through the meal, and even the smallest details are well thought out (like the music matched where each dish was from, geographically.)I'm eager to go back and taste the bigger tasting menu at some point!
Prescott W.
Try a fixed menu at the bar. The chef is wonderful, creative and playful. She takes you on a tour of her favorite spots with plays on Japanese and Thai foods fused with influences from her experiences in Mexico, the UK and Spain. Absolute delight.
Incredible, creative and beautiful food and a really fun time rarely go together, but with chef Nan Yimcharoen you get both! Sit at the chef's counter to have the chance to hang with the most laid back, friendly and FUN serious chef who is clearly having a great time herself. The food is delicious and each dish is visually gorgeous on equally attractive plates. The curated playlist to go along with each course adds to the festive atmosphere that makes every diner feel like they are at a party. Nothing stuffy here. We can't wait to go back again!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Fanny S.
Onsen tamago: pretty good, big piece of uni, egg cooked nicely, broth was very flavorful and the leeks added nice texture contrast Crab shumai: interesting concept, but it kind of felt like they just jammed as much seafood as they could into the wrapper; lacking finesse. I respect the amount of seafood given though. Flavor was a big one dimensionalCrab legs: pretty much standard crab legs; some of them were a little too flaky/would break apart easily; would rather have whole pieces of leg. Corn accompaniment was kind of randomLazy bear crab curry: despite the cute presentation, it was surprisingly delicious. Curry flavor was really prominent but not overpowering the crab, rice was not mush, and they gave lots of crab. Crab carbonara: cool presentation using the head of the crab; another big piece of uni and nice utilization of all the crab using crab innards to build the sauceCrab tom yum shabu shabu: nice flavor, not too strong, wontons were decent, crab was nice. Honey ice cream: nice texture contrast with puffed rice and crab cracker was pretty coola
Nick Dowdle
We came here for a birthday and all 5 of us left with pretty severe food poisoning. Reported to the health department in LA to investigate.
Giorgio Angelini
Very special spot. Great combo of refined but unfussy Japanese cuisine buttressed by thai aromatics and flavors. Balanced flavors. Very high quality sourcing of ingredients. Every plate was a delight. And the service was excellent.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Austin C.
My review for this restaurant is long overdue. I try not to hand out too many 5-star reviews, but KinKan deserves nothing short of such a rating. All the dishes are absolutely perfect - the flavors, the presentation, and the high quality of ingredients. I think I've eaten here 6 times in the last year and every single time was filled with laughing and great times. Chef Nan and her staff are always so pleasant to interact with and I'm excited to return for another dining experience.
My favorite restaurant in LA. The food is as special as the chef herself. I want to visit more often because the pandemic did a number on her business, but my wallet says otherwise. That said, I will always come back on special occasions!
Most underrated restaurant in LA. The menu is always changing so, if you can afford it, you can go monthly. It's good it's not packed with hip foodies but I want this place to be recognized as every bit as good as N Naka or Hayato.
I don't say this lightly but this might be the best meal I've had in LA. Every course was so flavorful. The crab and the smoky abalone were real highlights. The sake/wine pairings were generous and perfectly matched each dish. We'll almost certainly be back
Unforgettable dinner and service. Their attention to detail is impressive, and every dish was well thought out, delicious, and memorable. A+. I'll be back soon!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Fun time at kinkan! We had the where are we going tasting menu which was cool to experience and learn anout each dish and how the chef came up with it. The head chef was not in town that day so the sous was serving us. The best dishes were the ama ebi, tuna tartare, and ceviche! All of the staff was very kind tooUnfortunately one of the items was substituted with bolognese which was disappointing (supposed to be uni pasta). And the fish and chips (amaida, matsutake) and crab fried rice was not impressive for this price point. I think it was great experience but food didn’t feel worth it in the end so I would not go back a second time.Parking: Small parking lot, handful of spaces
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Chef Nan blew us away again. Back after 2 years and the food did not disappoint. The food was so flavorful. Service was so attentive. The chef was so engaging and the staff extremely knowledgeable. My stomach is happy and full.
Great meal, make sure chef Nan is there.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Familiar dishes, yet somehow delightfully reinvented. At first glance, you might see the list of traditional Thai dishes on the menu, but you'll quickly discover that each has some sort of spin to it. Hard to describe, like an unexpected ingredient here or there, or a different way to prepare a salad. My boyfriend and I enjoyed their take of the beef stew and Tom yum. The soft shell crab was delicious in every bite. The waiter shared with us how each ingredient was carefully picked, and we truly appreciate how fresh all the dishes tasted. I think the dishes are unique here, and you wouldn't find something comparable in other LA establishments.The entrance is very unassuming, easily missed on Vigil street. But don't miss coming to KinKan. It's worth it!
This was a really special experience! My husband and I had the smaller tasting menu (which was actually extremely filling) which was compromised of 4 savory dishes + dessert from around the world (but each with some thai influence.) My favorite was the starting chirashi bowl where each component was perfect and tender. The chef is super friendly and chatted with us through the meal, and even the smallest details are well thought out (like the music matched where each dish was from, geographically.)I'm eager to go back and taste the bigger tasting menu at some point!
Try a fixed menu at the bar. The chef is wonderful, creative and playful. She takes you on a tour of her favorite spots with plays on Japanese and Thai foods fused with influences from her experiences in Mexico, the UK and Spain. Absolute delight.
Restaurantji Recommends
Incredible, creative and beautiful food and a really fun time rarely go together, but with chef Nan Yimcharoen you get both! Sit at the chef's counter to have the chance to hang with the most laid back, friendly and FUN serious chef who is clearly having a great time herself. The food is delicious and each dish is visually gorgeous on equally attractive plates. The curated playlist to go along with each course adds to the festive atmosphere that makes every diner feel like they are at a party. Nothing stuffy here. We can't wait to go back again!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Onsen tamago: pretty good, big piece of uni, egg cooked nicely, broth was very flavorful and the leeks added nice texture contrast Crab shumai: interesting concept, but it kind of felt like they just jammed as much seafood as they could into the wrapper; lacking finesse. I respect the amount of seafood given though. Flavor was a big one dimensionalCrab legs: pretty much standard crab legs; some of them were a little too flaky/would break apart easily; would rather have whole pieces of leg. Corn accompaniment was kind of randomLazy bear crab curry: despite the cute presentation, it was surprisingly delicious. Curry flavor was really prominent but not overpowering the crab, rice was not mush, and they gave lots of crab. Crab carbonara: cool presentation using the head of the crab; another big piece of uni and nice utilization of all the crab using crab innards to build the sauceCrab tom yum shabu shabu: nice flavor, not too strong, wontons were decent, crab was nice. Honey ice cream: nice texture contrast with puffed rice and crab cracker was pretty coola
We came here for a birthday and all 5 of us left with pretty severe food poisoning. Reported to the health department in LA to investigate.
Very special spot. Great combo of refined but unfussy Japanese cuisine buttressed by thai aromatics and flavors. Balanced flavors. Very high quality sourcing of ingredients. Every plate was a delight. And the service was excellent.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My review for this restaurant is long overdue. I try not to hand out too many 5-star reviews, but KinKan deserves nothing short of such a rating. All the dishes are absolutely perfect - the flavors, the presentation, and the high quality of ingredients. I think I've eaten here 6 times in the last year and every single time was filled with laughing and great times. Chef Nan and her staff are always so pleasant to interact with and I'm excited to return for another dining experience.