A $300 Korean Noodle Dish Redefines Fine Dining in LA's Little Tokyo

A $300 Korean Noodle Dish Redefines Fine Dining in LA's Little Tokyo

Ashley Greene
Ashley Greene•
• 2 Min.
A table set with plates of food, bowls of soup, utensils, tissue papers, bottles, glasses, and other objects, with a person seated in the background at what appears to be a restaurant in Seoul.

A $300 Korean Noodle Dish Redefines Fine Dining in LA's Little Tokyo

A new high-end Korean tasting menu has arrived in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles. Restaurant Ki, opened in January 2025, serves a standout noodle dish priced at $300 per person. Chef Ki Kim's creation has quickly become a focal point of the intimate 10-seat counter experience.

The restaurant sits in the basement of the Kajima Building, offering a modern Korean menu far more elaborate than Kim's previous project, Kinn, in Koreatown. Before this, the chef honed his skills as sous chef at Blanca in Brooklyn. His latest venture earned a Michelin star within months of opening.

The signature dish features custom-made noodles crafted by Keizo Shimamoto, known for his work at Ramen Shack in San Juan Capistrano. These noodles swim in a rich, concentrated Dungeness crab stock, releasing a delicate aroma reminiscent of seafood-studded chawanmushi. Garnishes like grilled eel, pine mushrooms, and caviar enhance the bowl without overshadowing the main elements.

Kim finalised the dish by late spring 2025 after months of refinement. Critics note that his cooking goes beyond technical skill, delivering a clear narrative and emotional depth in every bite.

Restaurant Ki's noodle dish now anchors its tasting menu, blending precision with storytelling. The $300 bowl reflects Kim's refined approach, setting a new benchmark for modern Korean fine dining in Los Angeles. The Michelin recognition further cements its place among the city's top culinary destinations.

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