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Restaurant Ki
Master Critic Review
Restaurant Ki
9.2
Michelin-starred chef Ki Kim presents a 12-course contemporary Korean tasting menu in an intimate 10-seat chef's counter hidden within the Bar Sawa complex. Seafood-forward dishes showcase refined technique with global influences, from shirako gimbap to truffle perilla pasta and 45-day dry-aged beef with Korean bone broth.
Must-Try Dishes:
Octopus with Key Lime, Truffle Perilla Noodles, Lettuce Ice Cream with Caviar
Scores:
Value: 8.3
Service: 9.2
Consistency: 9.1
Food Quality: 9.5
Atmosphere: 8.7
Cultural Relevance: 9
What makes it special: Michelin-starred modern Korean fine dining with rare seafood focus
Who should go: Special occasion diners seeking elevated Korean cuisine
When to visit: Reserve exactly one month ahead at noon
What to order: Full tasting menu with beverage pairing
Insider tip: Follow emailed instructions carefully to find the hidden entrance
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Parking structure at Japanese Village Plaza ($8-12), street metered parking difficult after 6pm - arrive early or rideshare recommended
Dress code: Upscale casual to business casual - dark jeans acceptable but avoid athleisure, most guests dress up for the occasion
Noise level: Intimate and hushed - 10-seat counter means quiet conversation only, ideal for serious food discussion
Weekend wait: Reservation-only, booked 30 days out within minutes of opening
Weekday lunch: Dinner service only - no walk-ins accepted
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Not recommended - seafood-focused tasting menu with limited modification ability, contact in advance but expect constraints
Vegan options: Not feasible - tasting menu format relies heavily on seafood, meat, and dairy components
Gluten-free options: Possible with advance notice (72+ hours) - kitchen can modify most courses but some signature dishes may be unavailable
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? High-risk, high-reward - the intimate 10-seat counter and 2.5-hour experience forces conversation, perfect if you're confident in chemistry but intense if you're unsure. Better for 3rd+ dates or established relationships.
Can I get a table without a reservation? No. Reservations required and released exactly 30 days in advance at 12pm PST, typically booking within 5-10 minutes. Follow @restaurantki for rare cancellations posted to Instagram stories.
Is it kid-friendly? Not appropriate - 12-course tasting menu over 2.5 hours at chef's counter with unfamiliar ingredients. Recommended for ages 16+ who genuinely appreciate fine dining.
Best For
Better for: Intimate, conversation-focused fine dining with a seafood-forward lens on Korean cuisine - the 10-seat format makes it more personal than larger Michelin spots, and the chef interaction beats any traditional tableside service
Skip if: You want shareable Korean BBQ, need vegetarian options, prefer casual atmospheres, dining with 3+ people, or aren't comfortable with adventurous seafood (shirako, uni, raw preparations)