James Beard finalist: Anjin

Anjin, a 20-seat Japanese-style pub in Kansas City’s Crossroads, is now a finalist for the 2026 James Beard Award for Best New Restaurant. (jamesbeard.org) The James Beard Foundation announced its restaurant and chef nominees on March 31, and it plans to name winners on June 15 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. (jamesbeard.org) Anjin opened in July 2025 at 1708 Oak St. and was built around the model of a Japanese izakaya, a casual bar where drinks and small plates are served in close quarters. (kcur.org) The restaurant was created by chef Nick Goellner, sommelier Leslie Newsam Goellner and partner Drew Little, the team behind The Antler Room and its bar program. (anjinkc.com) At Anjin, the room is the format: 20 seats wrap around the kitchen, and the cooks work in full view with no back room or walk-in freezer separating staff from diners. (aol.com) The menu leans on yakitori, seasonal small plates, sake, shochu and Japanese beer, with dishes and drinks meant to echo the communal rhythm of an izakaya rather than a standard Midwestern dinner service. (anjinkc.com) Nick Goellner said that difference is intentional. In an April 11 KCUR interview, he said the restaurant wants Kansas Citians to get comfortable trying flavors and formats they may not already know. (kcur.org) The finalist slot also extends a run of national attention for the Goellners. Nick Goellner has previously earned multiple James Beard semifinalist honors for Best Chef: Midwest through The Antler Room. (theantlerroomkc.com) For Kansas City, the nomination puts one of the city’s smallest dining rooms into a national field of 10 finalists after Anjin first appeared on the 30-restaurant semifinalist list in January. (jamesbeard.org; kmbc.com) The next milestone is June 15 in Chicago. Until then, Anjin is still doing what got it here: serving skewers, small plates and sake across a bar where every seat faces the kitchen. (jamesbeard.org; anjinkc.com)