Kansas City's tiny izakaya rises
Anjin, a 20‑seat Japanese‑inspired izakaya in Kansas City, was named a James Beard Foundation 2026 'Best New Restaurant' semifinalist — a sign the city's scene is attracting national culinary attention (kansascity.com). Coverage highlights its intimate seating and inventive menu as reasons to visit or book well in advance (kansascity.com).
Anjin is co‑owned by chef Nick Goellner, his wife and business partner Leslie Newsam Goellner, and longtime Antler Room bar manager Drew Little. (inkansascity.com) The restaurant’s physical address is 1708 Oak Street in the Crossroads neighborhood of Kansas City, Missouri. (anjinkc.com) Service is arranged around a single counter with side‑by‑side seating for 20 guests and posted time limits of 1.5 hours for two‑person parties and two hours for four‑person parties. (exploretock.com) The menu emphasizes rotating yakitori, handcrafted udon and daily seasonal small plates, paired with a curated sake and shochu list managed by Leslie Newsam Goellner and bar staff. (anjinkc.com) Nick Goellner previously led The Antler Room and is a three‑time James Beard Best Chef: Midwest semifinalist, a pedigree cited by local coverage when Anjin opened. (inkansascity.com) Kansas City was represented by six semifinalists in the 2026 James Beard list, the foundation published its full semifinalist roster on January 21, 2026, and the awards program scheduled final nominees for March 31 and winners to be announced June 15. (jamesbeard.org)
