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I’ve never had a great relationship with can openers. The standard crank-and-turn model found in many homes—including mine at one point—has never sent me to the emergency room, but it rarely fails to remind me I’m a klutz. I’m a food writer, recipe developer, and former professional baker, so I know my way around the kitchen. But I still struggle to a laughable degree to open a can with that simple device. Taking the thin lid off a can of beans, for example, inevitably leads to a sopping spillage across my countertop. I’ve lost so much time—and even more beans.
And then I found the Korin Japanese Can Opener. This magical tool, a favorite among professional cooks, is the Timothée Chalamet of culinary gadgets: thin, tiny, chiseled, and the complete package. I first saw one in college, tacked to a magnetic knife strip, like some misplaced retro exercise grip in the catering kitchen where I interned. I wondered right away what this glossy red knickknack was capable of.
I ordered one immediately after my overpriced and poorly manufactured drugstore can opener finally gave out. Now that I finally have this tool, nothing gets between me and my beans. I’ve used it to power through cans of Libby’s while making pumpkin cake for work, to open a can of Heinz Baked Beans for a beautiful English breakfast at home, and to open cans of chickpeas for hummus, salads, chana masala, and well...just about anything.
The Korin has no clamping or cranking mechanism. It relies on the sharp precision of one small blade, attached to a comfortable handle, to glide around the lid. You hold the Korin's handle and catch the stainless steel edge of the can with the opener's circular indentation, then insert the blade, puncturing the top of the can. Then, you slide the blade around the can to cut it open.
The result is a clean cut instead of the rough, bumpy grind that’s a threat to fingers. Yes, using the Korin requires a little more oomph from the wrist, but the grip is ergonomic: It steadies the cutting motion well. The design also allows for extra versatility: Since there's no clamping mechanism, you aren't tied to only cutting around the edge. Instead, you also have the option to make an incision (of any desired length or depth) across the lid for pouring or straining.
This can opener washes quickly since there aren't any crevices for food to get caught in. It stores easily since it lies flatter than a can opener with a crank. As a bonus, the square top above the handle is also a bottle cap opener. Reward yourself for making a very smart purchase by using your Korin can opener to pop the top off a crisp Lime Topo Chico.
