Chef Ki Kim is the chef-owner of Restaurant Ki in Los Angeles' Little Tokyo and the recipient of the 2025 MICHELIN Guide California Young Chef Award. Born in Seoul, South Korea, Kim moved to the United States with his family in 2008 and began his culinary career after leaving the University of Colorado Denver to pursue cooking full time.
Kim's early training included time at Matsuhisa Aspen and an internship at Benu in San Francisco, followed by professional experience in Japan, Hong Kong, and New York City. In New York, he worked at acclaimed restaurants including Jungsik, Atomix, and Blanca.
In 2021, Kim opened Kinn in Los Angeles' Koreatown, earning praise for its approachable tasting menu. After closing the restaurant in 2023, he partnered with chef Yoshiyuki Inoue to open Restaurant Ki in Little Tokyo. The intimate 10-seat restaurant quickly became one of Los Angeles' most sought-after dining experiences, earning a MICHELIN star just six months after opening.
Today, Kim is known for his Korean-inspired tasting menus and thoughtful approach to fine dining, drawing on influences from Korea, Japan, and the United States.
