Chef Ki Kim Wins MICHELIN Star and Young Chef Award for Restaurant Ki
Just two months after opening his intimate 10-seat restaurant in Little Tokyo, Korean American chef Ki Kim has earned both a MICHELIN Star and the prestigious Young Chef Award in the 2025 MICHELIN Guide California. Known for his inventive reinterpretations of traditional Korean cuisine, Chef Kim impressed inspectors with his focus, creativity, and ingredient-driven approach—highlighted by standout dishes like grilled lettuce ice cream with caviar and Cheongju cream.
Previously trained at MICHELIN-starred kitchens including Jungsik and Atomix in New York, Kim now prioritizes clarity of flavor and sustainability, sourcing ingredients locally and building his menu around seasonal produce. His new venture, Restaurant Ki, follows a more mindful path after closing his first restaurant, Kinn, due to burnout. His comeback is already being hailed as one of the most exciting in the culinary world.
Written by Yoonjae Jung for Korea Daily. Originally published June 26, 2025.
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