Restaurant Ki

J Julia H 107 reviews · Local Guide 23 May 2026

Great food and service. You definitely leave full. Dinner took about 2.5 hours. Everything tastes good or amazing. Expect more Michelin stars in the future.

A Ali Kazmi 207 reviews · Local Guide 10 April 2026

Absolutely incredible culinary experience. Every dish felt like an artistic masterpiece. This place has to be one of the greatest restaurants in the world

I Isabel Won 1 review 24 March 2026

Restaurant Ki, a modern fine‑dining spot in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, has quickly become one of the city’s most talked‑about restaurants and a must‑visit for local food lovers right now. As you’d expect from Chef Ki—who has cooked at top restaurants like Benu in San Francisco, Jungsik and Atomix in New York, and Meteora in LA—Restaurant Ki goes far beyond simple “Korean fusion.” It offers a refined tasting menu that presents modern interpretations of Korean ingredients and techniques. When I first sat down at Restaurant Ki, my biggest curiosity was, “How far can you go using familiar Korean ingredients?” But as the course progressed, that curiosity turned into pure amazement. It was a continuous surprise to see ingredients so familiar to me as a Korean—transformed into something so refined, beautiful, and delicious. Ingredients you might typically see in a Korean restaurant—gim bugak (crispy seaweed chips), kimchi, jang (fermented sauces), seasonal vegetables, octopus, blue crab, noodles, duck, mushrooms—appeared with completely different faces through the plating and cooking techniques. What stood out to me was the way each dish balanced umami without letting any single ingredient overpower the others; instead, they enhanced one another and came together in perfect harmony. With the first bite, there is a moment of “What is this?”—a pleasant unfamiliarity—but soon after comes the realization, “Ah, this is unmistakably a Korean flavor.” That curious tension between unfamiliarity and familiarity felt like the very identity of this restaurant. For me, the greatest appeal of Restaurant Ki is that it “shows Korean ingredients in a new light.” Ingredients I thought I knew so well appear in entirely different contexts and combinations. - Familiar jang and fermented ingredients are lightly transformed into Western‑style sauces, foams, and oils - Korea’s seasonal ingredients stand confidently at the center as the main components - The umami is distinctly Korean, yet the textures and aromas are expressed in the language of contemporary fine dining Each ingredient’s character and aroma are maximized, yet when they come together on the plate, they feel as natural and coherent as a single, well‑written sentence. The wine pairing was especially memorable. I had been curious how well wine would pair with dishes centered on Korean ingredients, but at Restaurant Ki, this question was completely resolved. Every course was paired with champagne or wine that flowed naturally with the meal, turning it into a complete experience. Instead of competing with the food, the wines and dishes enhanced one another, each helping to highlight and explain the other. As for dessert, I usually don’t expect much at fine-dining restaurants with set-course menus, because I’ve often been disappointed by desserts that don’t fit the overall concept, are too monotonous, or are simply cloyingly sweet. This time, though, the dessert was the perfect finishing touch. The three elements I care about most were all perfectly met, so from start to finish it was a truly enjoyable experience. Restaurant Ki is not just “a new Korean restaurant in LA,” but a modern Korean fine dining restaurant that showcases how far Korean ingredients can go. If you love Korean food and are curious to see how far it can evolve in the future, I think Restaurant Ki in LA’s Little Tokyo is definitely a place you should experience at least once — and probably more than that. As a brief postscript, I’d like to add how truly moved I was by the Ki team’s warm hospitality and their meticulous attention to detail; everyone moved with such clarity and purpose in their respective roles, thoughtfully explaining each dish and taking care of every little thing, thank you once again!

C Célia 346 reviews · Local Guide 10 March 2026

The hardest thing was finding the restaurant when you street park, you have to go through random stairs, get through a door to find another door inside a parking lot then a specific elevator to the restaurant. So I would recommend parking in the parking lot to make it a bit easier. Once you are in, it is an intimate 12 seat counter, chefs plating and telling entertaining stories behind the dishes, it was elevated and well put together. We did enjoy pretty much all the dishes especially the octopus 🐙 & porcini mushroom dessert . My least favorite was probably the second dessert, was like a granite with just cubed fruits. Overall a delightful experience and they deserve their star.

L Lee Coleman 44 reviews · Local Guide 16 February 2026

NOT DINING, BUT AN ELEVATED EXPERIENCE - Note: I make my own reservations and pay for my meals. I don't hold back and tell it always like it is. If you're looking for a unique dining experience, and not just an expensive good meal in LA, Restaurant Ki is the place to be! This Michelin-starred (only a litle more than 1 year old and Young Chef Winner on top of that) gem serves up innovative Korean-inspired cuisine that's as Instagrammable as it is delicious. The place: Tucked in a basement of a not so great building, no windows or outside light, just a focused experience in a Korean themed decor. Plates and silver are all different and unique to the experience. It's simple, focused and on point for what you are going to experience. The Experience It's not just about the food – it's about the entire experience. The staff is friendly and attentive, and the atmosphere is relaxed yet refined. Small space, well done, 12 people, and you feel like you are at a play or performance, which is intended. It's not a perfect experience, but it's so much on a higher level than a Spago or Mastro's let's say. It's interactive - so you get to talk to the Chef's and ask questions - very good! What to Expect A 12-course tasting menu ($300 per person, with optional wine pairing at $190) Menu changes with the season - new dishes get added in and removed all the time. Intimate setting with a maximum seating capacity of 12, making it perfect for special occasions Creative dishes that blend traditional Korean flavors with global influences Impeccable service from Chef Ki and his team Standout Dishes Gimbap-inspired amuse bouche with crispy fried laver shell and housemade kimchi (super good) Octopus with estragon and a creamy sauce made from the octopus head (excellent) Smoked Lobster with doenjang-boosted beurre blanc and dried raspberry powder (yum) Squab or Duck with maple and rhubarb, showcasing the chef's skillful pairing of flavors So you think small plates and I won't get filled, but you do! The first 5 teaser courses are great, then the meal comes.....savory, unami, sweet, and refined. Well presented. Not every dish hits and some better than others but overall very good! The pace of the meal is on point so you never feel like you are forgotten, as in many restaurants. One note. They have paper over the lights - not quite Michelin worthy.....might want to fix that. Is it worth the price? If you're looking for a special night out, absolutely! While $300+ per person is a splurge, the experience and quality of the food make it worth it. To me, it was a game changing dinner, a day late - Valentine's Day dinner, to an shared dining experience is what makes this Michelin Star Restaurant worth it. Bill ended up being $750 for two of us. I had a beer and she had Sake, which was very good. Bravo to this place and to young chefs that understand food culture the restaurant business and the art of a great experience.