We had the good fortune of connecting with Ki Kim and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ki, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I moved to LA during the pandemic from NY. I came to LA to do a popup briefly and planned to move back to NY once it was over.

Honestly, I didn’t have the most pleasant memories of LA prior to moving so I definitely wasn’t planning on staying.

I was very fortunate to have seen different sides of the city during my popup. I almost instantly fell in love with the culture of LA and felt foolish of myself to have judged the whole city by a bar experience of my early 20’s.

I loved how there were so many different cultures that work so hard to show their roots to the community, and the produce really is incomparable. It was very refreshing for me.

LA’s Korea Town is a good example of a group of immigrants that’s proud of their food and culture. What I found most interesting about Korea Town was that many of its restaurants were claimed as ‘authentic Korean food’ by its locals. I personally think it’s difficult to find similar restaurants in modern days of Korea because everything changes so fast there.

So, I’ve found that many immigrants open businesses in LA according to the newest trend of their time of immigration. Korea Town is basically like a time machine where I could find nostalgias of my childhood just by eating at local restaurants and shopping at local stores.

I felt so welcomed in LA after being able to coincidentally visit my nostalgias in the collection of restaurants and businesses. Furthermore, I wanted to contribute in leaving a trace of what’s considered a modern Korean cuisine of 2022 by opening a restaurant using everything I’ve learned so far.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Kinn is a contemporary Korean restaurant in the heart of Los Angeles’ Koreatown, the result of a partnership between New York-trained Chef Ki Kim (previously of Atomix and Jungsik) and Dustin Donghyuk of In Hospitality. At Kinn, Kim’s unique approach to a modern tasting menu incorporates Korean flavors, fine dining techniques, and California-grown produce accented with a playful nod to his Korean American upbringing.

As the first and only fine dining restaurant in Koreatown, Kinn serves an affordable seasonal tasting menu featuring six-courses at $72 per person ($59 for the vegetarian menu) alongside supplemental options. Previous and current highlights include Crispy Octopus, Uni Pizza with Smoked Trout Roe, Winter Truffle Risotto Bibimbap, K-Corndog, and more. The beverage program offers a selection of European wines and Korean Spirits.

The intimate dining room seats 20–including chef’s counter seating. A minimalistic design aesthetic with neutral blonde wood tables and chairs are accentuated by an oversized caterpillar-shaped wreath of white baby’s breath flowers above the bar.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I wanted to save this list until I become more successful and recognized but I am always extremely grateful to have met all of my previous chefs who were so patient in teaching me, Nobuko san who arranged my apprenticeship in Japan, Tara who first introduced me to my first Korean fine dining experience at Benu, Phil san of Matsuhisa Aspen for showing me what good leadership is like and my friends, colleagues from past & family for teaching me everything I know.

Website: https://kinn.la/

Instagram: @kinn.la

Image Credits
Photo Credit: Jesse Hsu (all)

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutSocal is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.