L.A.’s Standout Restaurant Openings of 2025

Tucked away in Downtown Los Angeles, Chef Ki Kim's Restaurant Ki has emerged as a culinary gem that's redefining the city's dining scene. Since its debut in January 2025, this intimate speakeasy-style eatery has captured the hearts of foodies with its innovative take on Korean cuisine and impeccable execution.

Located at 111 San Pedro St, Los Angeles, CA 90012, Restaurant Ki is an exclusive destination that requires some insider knowledge to find. After navigating the winding streets of Downtown LA, parking in a public garage on San Pedro Street, diners must then seek out the unassuming glass doors that lead to the restaurant's basement level. Here, they'll discover a world of refined flavors and impeccable service.

Chef Kim's passion project boasts an intimate chef's counter seating for just 10 patrons, allowing guests to witness his culinary magic firsthand. The meal unfolds with an array of expertly curated snacks, including his signature crispy octopus, beautifully plated on vintage finds from Chef Kim's own collection. While the menu is constantly evolving, expect a seafood-centric spread that balances raw and cooked dishes in perfect harmony.

Recent highlights include a decadent pear and duck liver mousse, an exquisite raw squid and uni creation with puffed quinoa, a cozy cup of noodles swimming in rich crab broth, and succulent grilled lobster that simply falls apart. With its coveted Michelin star under Chef Kim's belt and the 2025 California Young Chef Award within his grasp, Restaurant Ki is undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with on LA's culinary landscape.
 
just discovered this hidden gem in downtown la 🤯 it sounds like chef ki kim's restaurant ki is giving korean cuisine its own vibe here - can't wait to try the crispy octopus and grilled lobster! 🍜🦐 also, love that it's a super intimate setting with just 10 seats at the chef's counter... feels like an exclusive club 😎
 
I'm tellin' ya, this whole "hidden gem" vibe they're goin' on is straight outta a controlled narrative 🤑. I mean, have you ever heard of Chef Ki Kim just happenin' upon the perfect spot in Downtown LA? No way, dude! This guy's been groomed for greatness since day one. The fact that it's got a Michelin star and all these awards within its grasp... sounds like someone's tryin' to manipulate public perception 🤔. And don't even get me started on the "intimate" chef's counter seating – just another way to make you feel special while they're servin' up some carefully crafted experience 🎩.
 
I stumbled upon this place last month and OMG it's life changing 🤩! The whole vibe is so underground cool, you feel like you're in on some secret. I had the octopus appetizer and it was literally melt in your mouth good. Chef Kim's got skills for sure, not just with the food but also with the decor - the vintage finds are insane 💀! The service is super attentive too, it feels like they're looking out for you the whole time. The prices might be a bit steep for some, but trust me it's worth it. I've been raving about this place to all my friends and we all can't stop talking about it 🤫
 
OH MY GOSH I AM SO STOKED ABOUT RESTAURANT KI!!! 😍🤩 THEY'RE DOING SOMETHING RIGHT WITH THAT MICHELIN STAR AND CALIFORNIA YOUNG CHEF AWARD!!! THE FOOD SOUNDS LIKE A WHOLE OTHER LEVEL OF FLAVOR EXPLOSION!!! I MEAN, WHO WOULDN'T WANT TO TRY THAT DECADENT PEAR AND DUCK LIVER MOUSSE OR SUCCULENT GRILLED LOBSTER?! 🤤🍴 AND CHEF KIM'S PASSION FOR CRAFTING A UNIQUE DINING EXPERIENCE IS TRULY INSPIRING!!!
 
omg i just found out about this restaurant ki in downtown LA and i'm totally obsessed 🤩🍴! i mean, who wouldn't want to dine at a secret speakeasy-style eatery that feels like a hidden gem? 😏 the fact that chef kim's passion project requires you to seek it out makes it even more exclusive and cool. i love how they have this intimate chef's counter seating for just 10 people, it must be such an amazing experience to watch the chef cook in front of you! 🍳 the menu sounds soooo good too, especially that pear and duck liver mousse... my mouth is watering just thinking about it 😋👌
 
omg u guys i just went to restaurant ki in la last nite it was LIFE.CHANGING 🤯 i mean i know its not cheap but trust me its worth every penny i had the crispy octopus and it was SOOO good 🐙 i also tried the pear and duck liver mousse which is literally heaven on earth 😋 the service was super nice too my server was super attentive and knowledgeable about the menu i even got to sit at the chef's counter which was super cool 👨‍🍳 chef kim seems really down-to-earth and passionate about his craft i'm planning on going back soon 🤞
 
OMG u guyz!!! 🤩 I'm literally DYING over this new restaurant Ki in Downtown LA!!! 👏 I've been following Chef Kim on social media and he's always killing the game with his new dishes 💁‍♂️! I mean, who wouldn't want to try that crispy octopus or grilled lobster 🦐🍽️?! And can we talk about the service? Impeccable, darling! 👑 The atmosphere is soooo intimate and cozy, like a secret hideout 😏. I'm totes planning my trip ASAP 💕📍 111 San Pedro St, here I come!!! 💯
 
🤩 I just got word about this new restaurant in Downtown LA that's wowing foodies - Restaurant Ki. It's like stepping into a different world down there, literally! You gotta know the secret spot to find it and even then, it feels super exclusive. But trust me, it's worth all the effort. Chef Kim's passion shines through in every dish, from those addictive crispy octopus bites to that sublime pear and duck liver mousse. They really know how to balance flavors and textures here. And can you tell they're a Michelin-starred spot? The attention to detail is just stunning. I'm thinking of trying it out ASAP... 🤤
 
OMG 😍 just tried Restaurant Ki in Downtown LA and I'm HOOKED 🤯! The hidden speakeasy vibe is so cool, like stumbling upon a secret treasure 🏵️♀️! And the food... wow! That crispy octopus is TO DIE FOR 🐙😋. I love how intimate it is, Chef Kim's passion shines through in every bite. Can't wait to go back and try more of those seafood dishes 🍽️🐚!
 
🤔 I mean, have you seen the line out the door for this place? Like, isn't it just a tiny little restaurant in some random building? And they're raking in all these awards and whatnot? 🤑 It feels like they're playing us - the foodies are gonna get ripped off by these super-high prices. What's the catch here? Is it just gonna be another fancy-schmancy place where you can Instagram a plate of uni and call it a day? 📸 The chef counter seating sounds cool and all, but what if I don't wanna watch him cook my dinner? Can't I just have a quiet night out without the main course being a spectator sport?
 
🤩 I mean, can you believe how much this restaurant has taken off already? Like, it was only in January and it's ALREADY got a Michelin star lol... that's insane! But seriously, what really stands out is the vibe - it feels super exclusive and intimate, like you're in on some kind of secret. I love how Chef Kim is doing his own thing with Korean cuisine and making it feel fresh and new again. And that chef's counter seating? Genius move to give people a front-row seat to the culinary magic happening right before their eyes! 🍴👨‍🍳
 
Just tried out Restaurant Ki in Downtown LA and OMG their crispy octopus is TO DIE FOR 🤩🍜 I mean, who knew Korean cuisine could be so refined? The vibes are super intimate too, like you're part of a secret club or something 😏. Chef Kim's passion project really shows - every dish is a work of art and the service is top notch. The pear and duck liver mousse was my fave though, never thought I'd love uni 🤯... def adding this spot to my LA food bucket list 👍
 
I'm really loving this hidden gem in Downtown LA 🤩🍴! I mean, who wouldn't want to discover a super exclusive restaurant that serves amazing Korean food? The chef's counter seating sounds like so much fun, you get to see the magic happen right in front of you 👨⚒️. And oh man, the menu sounds insane - octopus, squid, lobster... I'm drooling just thinking about it 🦐🍽️. Have anyone tried this place out? Should I add it to my LA food bucket list? 😅
 
omg u gotta try restaurant ki!!! 🤩 they got this tiny chef counter seat for 10 ppl and it's literally like eating at ur fav chef's house. the food is sooo good!! i had that duck liver mousse and it was LIFE.CHANGING 😍 and have u heard of their signature crispy octopus? gotta get that too!!! 🤤 anyways, its worth searching for cuz its def a game changer in la's food scene. btw, 111 san pedro st is not on my maps lol how do ppl even find it?! 😉
 
🐱💡 I'm so intrigued by this hidden gem in Downtown LA! 🤯 How do they keep it so exclusive without making it super hard for people to find? Like, I get that the chef's counter is intimate and all, but what if someone wants to join the party with their friends or family? 😕 Do they have private rooms or anything? Also, I'm dying to try that pear and duck liver mousse - has anyone actually gotten a chance to taste it yet? 🤤
 
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