Little Kirin crafts inventive Pan-Asian comfort food, with its game-changing pho sandwich served on ciabatta plus bold fusion flavors in a cozy East Village spot.
"Little Kirin is, as the name suggests, a little shop. It’s in the East Village, and only has five things on their menu, most of which incorporate Vietnamese and other Asian ingredients. Technically they have 15 things on the menu, because each of their sandwiches can be turned into rice bowls or salads, but you’re here for the sandwiches, which are served on a ciabatta-like bread that soaks up the saucy meats, while still retaining its texture. The Order: The banh mi is their most popular sandwich, but we’d recommend the Grandma’s Braised Pork. It’s warm with five spice and sesame, and feels light for a porky sandwich." - will hartman, willa moore, neha talreja, bryan kim, sonal shah, molly fitzpatrick
"Little Kirin serves reinvented Vietnamese sandwiches, sometimes with Japanese twists. There are breakfast sandwiches — including one called hangover cure with bacon, Spam, and hash browns — as well as a so-called pho short-rib sandwich definitely worth ordering for its repurposing of familiar flavors." - Eater Staff
"The first breath of cold winter air. A crisp granny smith apple. Succession ending after four seasons. All refreshing things, just like Little Kirin. This spot offers five straightforward and delicious sandwiches that you can turn into rice bowls or salads—but only an act of god would make us not order a sandwich. All of them incorporate Asian flavors and ingredients, but our favorite is the five-spice loaded “grandma’s braised pork” with cabbage, sesame aioli, and pickled onions on crusty ciabatta. Great for a casual lunch, or a weeknight dinner on a cheerful yellow chair, Little Kirin is the type of place we wouldn’t be surprised to find our East Villager friends have been gatekeeping because they want it all to themselves." - Will Hartman
"A creative new sandwich shop called Little Kirin landed in the East Village last month with dishes like a salmon katsu po’boy, pho short rib, and a five-spice braised pork with sesame aioli. In addition, there’s build-your-own egg sandwiches with options like ginger-scallion aioli, Spam, and hash browns." - Eater Staff
