Excellent customer service and the food was delicious. I'd highly recommend trying out their steamed dumplings. The artificial bonfire adds a touch of elegance to the atmosphere. I'm definitely coming back! read more

Jeju Kitchen - Veggie Grilled Cheese, Regular Fries, & Diet Coke - Korean Near Me - Carmel-by-the-Sea, California

Service was good! It was busy in the evening but they were able to seat 5. The kimchi Mac and cheese was ADDICTIVE. I need to recreate this since I don't live in the area. My kimchi soup was a bit bland and I love kimchi stew so I don't think it lived up to my expectations. My family loved their meals though like the dumpling soup, tuna poke and salmon bowl! Overall we left satisfied. The music wasn't too loud. It seemed like everyone was having a good time! read more

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good ambiance nice staff delicious food!! i got the kimchi mac n cheese and my fiancé got the creamy miso cacio e pepe, both were great he said it was the best dish he had all year! after looking for parking in carmel for 30 minutes we were hangry so this was much needed. we each got pork belly with our dishes and it was a little too much, tbh split the pork belly with someone if u want it w ur pasta read more

For Jeju kitchen being the only Korean fusion restaurant, it is very disappointing to call this Korean food because why are the Korean dishes bland with no flavor while the pastas was savory enough because of the creams and cheeses. Fried kimich dumpling 16$; crispy with a little kimchi taste Gangnam tots 14$ ; savory, tasty, , pretty good Korean short rib 42$; 48h marinated but I can't taste any of the flavors. I'm sorry but this is the worst galbi I've had but we don't waste food here.. Jajangmyeong 24$ ; sooo bland, not good at all , just don't order the Korean food... Chili crunch artichoke ravioli 28$ ; this is probably the only dish that was worth it and good... Creamy miso cacio e Pepe 28$ ; this dish was okay, I felt the noodles could be cook for a minute or 2 more... the miso isn't all there but at least is was savory.. read more

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We came without a reservation right at 5 so had no wait. It did get full shortly after. Service was attentive and friendly. We ordered the kimchi Mac and cheese which was the highlight. It was flavorful and slightly spicy with a nice pickled sourness. Our kids loved it even with the spice. They also loved the Gangnam tots. We asked for the onions on the side but they were so sweet and caramelized that we ends up eating them all! Ordered the miso Casio. It was good but not as flavorful as the other dishes. Definitely would return! read more

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We were so excited to try this place, but unfortunately it did not live up to the hype. Absolutely disappointed. The only reason I'm content with giving it 1/5 stars is because of the Coconut Shrimp. Those were really yummy and had my expectations so high for the rest of the food! The Cacio e Pepe was extremely oily and bland. It was basically buttered noodles with pepper. We added pork belly and chicken. The pork belly was okay, but it was all so hard for an extra $8. The chicken was extremely dry, especially for an extra $12. 0/10. The Kimchi Burger was so salty. There was little to no kimchi flavor. The bun was also super soggy when it first came out. There were pickles on the burger, but they tasted more like cucumbers and not pickled at all. Lol. There was also way too much cheese on the burger. It gets a 1 only because of the French fries. 1/10. The Coconut Shrimp was very yummy, though! It was perfectly crispy, and the coconut flavor was strong. We really enjoyed these. 10/10. The service was not the best. We noticed our server tended more to her other tables, which is fair because she was busy. However, she only came to check on us at the end when she took our plates. Definitely not worth it. In the pictures I included, you can see the oil left on the plate from our pasta. Very disappointed. :( Overall, we would not come back. This felt more like American cuisine than Korean cuisine. So. Much. Oil. read more

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Finally got to try Jeju, and I was so intrigued by the Korean-Italian fusion concept. We ordered the chili oil wontons, Korean fried chicken, and the miso cacio e pepe, and every single dish was a 10/10. The flavors were creative and unique One thing I didn't realize was how generous the portions are, so we ended up with plenty of leftovers to enjoy later. The service was also fantastic. We were celebrating our anniversary, and the staff surprised us with a complimentary dessert, which was such a thoughtful touch. Amazing food, great service, and a memorable dining experience all around. Can't wait to come back! read more

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Jeju has some truly excellent food, but the overall experience was mixed for us. Even with a reservation, we waited over 30 minutes to be seated, and the service stayed slow throughout the meal -- long gaps between ordering, drinks, and dishes. It's a shame, because the kitchen is doing great work. The steamed dumplings were great and highly recommend the half-and-half combo, so some are like soup dumplings and some are regular. The creamy miso cacio e pepe was the standout (and a dish they're known for) -- rich, savory, and exactly the kind of creative comfort dish you hope to find in Asian fusion. The beef stone pot was large with tons of ingredients and great for sharing. Everything we tried was flavorful and well executed, which made the pacing even more frustrating. The space itself has potential, but it was visibly dirty during our visit, which didn't help the already long wait. I'm landing at four stars because the food really is that good. I'm not sure I'd rush back given the service issues, but for the dishes alone, I can see why people keep coming. read more

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Creamy Miso Casio E Pepe w/ Pork Belly -- delicious al dente pasta with creamy sauce. Pork belly was crisp and tender. Very delicious meal but very filling, 1/3 of the meal I was already full. read more

Jeju Kitchen - Creamy Miso Cacio E Pepe - Korean Near Me - Carmel-by-the-Sea, California

Jeju is in a really lovely shopping center lending itself to eat then stroll and do some light shopping. My son got the short rib plate and loved it. My husband also enjoyed the pork belly soup, though he said it was nose-runny, extra spicy! I got the glass noodles and felt they were lacking flavor. I had them with the kimchi, which helped make them more savory, but I would not order this dish again. I recommend making reservations before going because the inside of the restaurant has limited seating. Due to not having reservations, we had to sit outside and it was very cold and windy, despite the hostess stressing the outdoor heaters would help warm us up. I ate as fast as I could so we could leave. The service is okay, but not great. Overall, I recommend giving this place a try if you're craving Korean. I just don't recommend sitting outside or ordering the glass noodles. read more

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Very disappointing experience This was the first time I have ever had an experience where the owner had such a bad attitude, while the host/server acted more like the real owner of the restaurant. The host/server was the only good part of this experience. She was polite, respectful, helpful, and professional. It was a cold Sunday afternoon in Carmel, around 1:30 PM, with light rain outside. We asked to sit inside because it was too cold outside. There were three open seating options inside. One was right by the entrance, where it was still cold, and two others were farther inside near the kitchen, where it was warmer. I asked if we could sit at one of the warmer tables. The host/server was nice about it, but then the owner came over and said no, those tables were only for parties of four. I understand restaurant seating policies. I have worked in restaurants, managed restaurants, and trained people to be servers, so I understand that sometimes bigger tables need to be saved for larger parties. But this was Sunday 1:30 PM, after the lunch rush, and the restaurant was almost empty. There were only a couple of customers inside. In that situation, refusing to seat two customers at a warmer table felt unnecessary and showed very poor customer service. A few minutes later, the owner came over with attitude and asked if I had complained to her coworker. I told her I was not complaining. I simply asked if we could sit somewhere warmer. She kept repeating that it was her policy and those tables were for four people. Her tone was rude and unprofessional. Honestly, the best thing this restaurant has is that host/server. She should be the one training people there, not dealing with an owner who talks to customers like that. As for the food, we ordered calamari and coconut shrimp. The calamari was terrible. It tasted old, rubbery, and not fresh at all. I would not recommend ordering it. The coconut shrimp was okay, but nothing special. It was well done, but not tasty at all. It tasted more like breading than coconut or shrimp. I also posted a picture, so people do not think I am exaggerating. You can look at the photo and decide for yourself if it looks more like breading than actual coconut shrimp. If zero stars were an option, I would give zero for the owner's attitude and the overall experience. The only reason I am giving one star is because the host/server was very kind, polite, and professional. read more

Jeju Kitchen - Korean Near Me - Carmel-by-the-Sea, California

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So good!! We got the miso cacio e pepe, galbi, and white peach sangria. The cacio e pepe was so unique- it's creamy & so flavorful. The Galbi was so tender. We overheard the kimchi Mac n cheese is bomb so we're excited to go back & try that too! The service was great. They're super dog friendly and have a dog menu too! read more

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Absolutely loved this place! The food was amazing, but the miso pasta completely stole the show for me. It was honestly one of the best pasta dishes I've ever had. What I really appreciated was that it wasn't overly rich or heavy like a lot of creamy pasta dishes can be. It had so much flavor while still feeling balanced, and I found myself wanting more after every bite. Everything we tried was delicious, the atmosphere was great, and the service was wonderful. If you're thinking about coming here, definitely order the miso pasta read more

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This place is in the upscale Carmel plaza and offers a fine dine experience. With outdoor seating under the heaters, it was definitely warm and cozy and matches the vibe of the cozy plaza. Service was excellent, she was nice, patient and very cheerful. We ordered the Spicy Bulgogi Chicken, while the portions were good, the taste didn't live up to the hype. It was neither sweet nor spicy, and tasted like something bland in the middle. The order came with a portion of rice alongside cabbage and radish kimchi. For the price, it was no where close to what we were expecting. It probably was more 2/5, however the server was super helpful and very attentive, hence the extra star here. read more

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Was surprised to find a Korean spot in downtown Carmel, however, this spot is more Asian-fusion focused with a few Korean options and burgers, etc. My friend and I ordered the mushroom tempura and dumplings for appetizers and I thought both were delicious. The mushroom tempura was crispy and not too greasy, with the sesame aioli being the perfect pairing. The dumplings were also yummy. I ordered the black bean noodles with pork belly, and the pork was fatty with a good crisp. However, the noodles themselves was a bit lack luster and was quite bland. I think the menu and flavor is more for the Western palette vs Asian. Service was a bit slow, but our server was nice. We sat outside and it was a good atmosphere, the restaurant is located in the middle of the plaza. read more

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We got lucky and arrived just before the lunch rush on a Saturday around 11:30am and were seated right away which was the perfect start to a great experience. The service throughout our visit was attentive and friendly without being overbearing. The restaurant has indoor and outdoor seating which we opted for outdoor because it was a pretty nice day outside! I started with the strawberry soju spritz and it was delicious! Very refreshing. For appetizers, we ordered the Korean BBQ chicken wings. The wings were large, perfectly cooked and packed with flavor! For our entrees, I had the kimchi mac n cheese with added pork belly and my husband ordered the miso cacio e pepe, also with pork belly. Both dishes were absolute 10/10!! The cacio e pepe was surprisingly balanced, not overly savory like it sometimes can be and had a rich, creamy texture. The pork belly was beautifully crisp and added an extra layer of flavor that complemented both pasta dishes perfectly. The kimchi mac n cheese was my personal favorite!!! I'm honestly still thinking about it while writing this review lol. We ended with the Thai tea tiramisu for dessert, which was also delicious. The texture reminded me of a tres leches cake. Very soft, moist, and full of flavor. I really enjoyed this place and can't wait to come back to try more items on the menu! read more

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We had a lovely dinner with friendly service on a Saturday night! Made a reservation online a few days before. The fried mushrooms are crazy good as an appetizer, I highly recommend, they got eaten quickly & were not too greasy at all. I liked my black bean noodles, though they did sit pretty heavy in my stomach - I thought these were more sweet potato starch, but I think they were wheat noodles. The tuna poke dish looked ok and very simple without much seasoning, but fresh. It's a very bustling place in a small space with two kitchens, a bar side, and a nice fireside patio. read more

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I've been to Jeju Kitchen a number of times. So far, I like it, but I don't love it. The food--I've always ordered various Korean options, rather than from the old Burgerbar side of the menu--is consistently good, but always a notch less than what I'm hoping for, especially at the prices (and I'm sympathetic that the proprietors have to make rent at a location that's presumably pricey). Most recently I had the japchae, which looked gorgeous and for which I had high hopes. Although it was decent, the flavor was more bland than I anticipated, it lacked both the sweetness that should always be present and the subtle toasted/smoky notes that, for me, differentiate the very best iterations of the dish (and which can be achieved in various ways). Otherwise, service is solid, ambiance is solid, and on many days, being able to sit outside in the courtyard is a lovely option. And the restaurant is regularly crowded, to the point where walk-ups often get turned away or there's a big wait. read more

Jeju Kitchen - Japchae - Korean Near Me - Carmel-by-the-Sea, California

Worth the hype! I'll be honest, being a Korean from Los Angeles, you're sometimes skeptical at these places that are fusion. But I saw the buzz and had to check it out. SO glad I did. First things first, service was excellent top to bottom. From check in to waters refilled, they really know how to do it. Huge shoutout to our server Margo who was just the sweetest. I felt too strange trying the Korean Korean food since I always compare it to mom's cooking, but the portions I saw from them were huge and I would definitely try one next time. I opted for the kimchi smashburger instead and as a kimchi fanatic, it was incredible! Margo explained the kimchi is made in-house and she sold me from there. Next time in town, I need to bring a cooler to buy a bottle or two. Husband had the California burger which was also great. Both of our fries were also top notch. We left so stuffed. Really nice big patio that's dog friendly with live music (at least on Sunday). read more

Jeju Kitchen - Kimchi smashburger - Korean Near Me - Carmel-by-the-Sea, California

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Amazing first experience at this extremely casual (yet fascinating) Korean/Italian fusion restaurant. Whether you order noodle, pasta, steamed dumplings, chicken, or what have you, the flavor of this food will not disappoint. Margo waited on us and was absolutely phenomenal. Great recommendations and prevented us from over ordering. Portions are big!!! read more

Jeju Kitchen - Korean bbq beef ribs - Korean Near Me - Carmel-by-the-Sea, California

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We visited on a Saturday afternoon as a party of 5, excited to support Carmel's first Korean restaurant. We put our names down, and one of us asked to use the restroom. We were directed to the public bathroom on the third floor. We understand we weren't yet seated customers, but in the hospitality industry, it felt like a missed opportunity for a warm first impression. We waited 15 minutes until we were seated which was shorter than expected. The menu is ambitious and we were excited going in. A few dishes landed well, but several fell short, often due to mislabeling or flavor profiles that didn't match what was expected. Short Rib ($42) Tender, flavorful, and needed no adjustments. My personal favorite of the night. Salted Steamed Edamame ($12) Simple and well-executed. A reliable choice. Kimchi Mac and Cheese ($24) Tasty, but mislabeled. There was no hint of cheese, just heavy cream making it closer to a kimchi pasta than a mac and cheese. We'd suggest renaming it, because as its own dish, it actually works well. Mushroom Tempura ($16) Another enjoyable dish, but again, mislabeled. The batter was heavy and crunchy, much closer to a calamari preparation than traditional tempura (which is light, airy, and starch-based). The lemon and aioli pairing reinforced that impression. We'd order it again. Miso Cacio e Pepe ($28) The noodles were great and had a fun Buldak-style quality to them. However, we couldn't detect any miso flavor at all. For $28, the dish was noodles only with no protein included. Korean Fried Chicken ($36) Korean fried chicken is defined by its double-fried, starch-based batter and bold sticky glaze. What we received tasted like American fried chicken with a drizzle of soy glaze. Beyond the style mismatch, the chicken pieces themselves were largely inedible, heavy on bones and what appeared to be improper butchering. More than half the dish went uneaten. Thai Tea Tiramisu ($15) Unfortunately a miss. Cinnamon on top of the mascarpone pulled the flavor toward pumpkin spice rather than Thai tea. More importantly, the texture was off, very mushy, like pumpkin purée, suggesting it had been sitting for several days. A proper tiramisu made the night before will have soaked ladyfingers but still hold structure. We wouldn't recommend this in its current state. Yuzu Asian Pear Spritz ($15) No detectable yuzu or pear flavor. It tasted almost entirely like champagne. A bit more yuzu / pear syrup would go a long way. Service: Our waitress was warm and attentive, which we appreciated. The pacing, however, was off. She offered to bring the check while we were still waiting on our last entrée, and before asking about dessert. When we ordered dessert, there seemed to be a miscommunication, and we had to re-order it again about 15 minutes later. Small adjustments to service flow would make a real difference. One thing to note: a 20% gratuity is applied to parties of 5 or more. Most restaurants set that threshold at 6+, so it's worth knowing in advance. Final thoughts: There's a real foundation here: the short rib, edamame, and even the kimchi pasta and mushroom dish show the kitchen has ability. But several dishes are either mislabeled or missing the flavor profiles they promise. I hope the team takes this in the constructive spirit it's intended. read more

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The high reviews for this place left me genuinely confused. Unfortunately, our experience fell short, and the food didn't feel very authentic. We ordered several dishes to share, and the pork belly soup was the most disappointing -- it tasted like a canned tomato-based sauce with dry pork belly. At $28, it was hard to justify. We also tried the ribs, beef in a stone bowl, and the salmon burger. Surprisingly, the most enjoyable item was the fries that came with the burger. Overall, this restaurant seems better suited for diners who may not be very familiar with Korean food, and it's not a place I'd personally recommend to friends who are. On a positive note, the lady who took our order was nice, and the staff who cleared our table were kind and attentive, which we appreciated very much. read more

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I found this spot from social media and made a reservation - It's decent for Korean fusion - enjoyed the kimchi Mac n cheese and short ribs. It's located in a little cute shopping courtyard, and had outdoor patio seating. However, the experience was overall subpar for me despite the food, was that the service was not acceptable: the hostess was quite rude/dismissive and most of the wait staff also had a strange attitude, rushed and unfriendly. They were quite busy but not an excuse for bad service- it felt almost like we were bothering them? (As paying patrons?? Quite expensive also). There was one waiter who was upbeat and friendly who almost saved it (hence 3 stars). Most likely wouldn't return or recommend for stellar Asian/korean food. read more

Jeju Kitchen - Korean Near Me - Carmel-by-the-Sea, California

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Thank goodness for Jeju! Carmel is such a fun place to visit but before Jeju, I always felt the food scene was lacking. Came for lunch on a Sunday. They don't take lunch reservations but we were seated very quickly outside. They kindly turned on the heat lamps for us. Everything we ordered was really delicious. The coconut prawns . . . Didn't last long enough on the table for a photo! They were massive and coconut forward. We didn't realize we order kalbi twice, once in the stone bowl and another as an entree. It was delicious but we didn't need that much meat. Haha. The burger in the worlds of my MIL "best burger in years." Very excited to go back again! read more

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Good food, terrible service. Arrived at 7:30 and they wouldn't seat us even though the restaurant was open until 8:00pm. We ordered to go and the food was delicious but if you're a restaurant that's open until 8:00, you need to seat people through that time. read more

We attempted to dine here, but we were told our stroller wasn't allowed and we'd have to park it around the outside of the bushes flanking the outside area. I wasn't about to park my sleeping child away from me, so we skipped having dinner here. The waitress didn't try to accommodate or offer to make space for our stroller. Maybe not being kid friendly is their vibe. It certainly seemed that way. Thank goodness there was a cheese shop nextdoor. We bought a ton of cheese and left even though we drove over specifically to go to Jeju Kitchen. read more

SO GOOD WE WENT HERE 2 TIMES OUT OF OUR 3 DAY TRIP TO CARMEL! We still want to come back and try the entire menu. Every dish was insanely delicious and super innovative. We especially loved the jalapeno smash burger, the Kim chi Mac and cheese was super addicting, chili oil ravioli was super flavorful and fresh, the chicken thigh bulgogi, and of course the wontons. Don't skip the drinks too! We loved their sparkling wine from private property and spritz was refreshing. We would eat here every day if we could! Don't skip Jeju! read more

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Had a phenomenal lunch at Jeju! Came in at 1pm on a Saturday, no reservation and was seated within 10 minutes. Staff offered great recommendations and we specifically ordered the Short Rib plate and Miso Cacio e pepe. Food came out 5 minutes after ordering, and was ready to eat. I really enjoyed the creamy sauce of the noodles. I've never tried Italian Korean fusion, but this mix was phenomenal! The miso taste was not overpowering and the sauce was just cheesy enough. The short rib plate blew me away. I am not a fan of short ribs but Jeju made me a fan! My one wish is that the kimchi portions be larger. We loved sitting outside on the patio with our puppy and loved seeing all the birds fly by. This is a truly beautiful location. Although the price point is higher than expected, Jeju fills your expectations and will blow you away. read more

Jeju Kitchen - Short Rib - Korean Near Me - Carmel-by-the-Sea, California

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Not gonna lie I definitely had a few reservations about having Korean food in Carmel but this spot blew away all my expectations! I came with my partner and our pup on a Saturday evening and the experience was great! We ordered the garden salad, beef bibimbap, kimchi pancake, and the pepe (with pork belly) My favorite was definitely the bibimbap and a close second was the kimchi pancake. The beef was so tender and really just melts in my mouth and I love that they don't really skimp on the portions either. The pancake was nicely fried such that none of the pieces were really soggy and it made for a great app! The salad was incredibly diverse and really helped cut all the meat we were consuming. We also ordered a scooby snack for our pup and she demolished it! Needless to say this was one of our favorite spots during our short trip to Carmel The service was extraordinary and the patio was heated so we never felt cold during the experience. Definitely will be back the next time I'm back in Carmel! read more

Nice spot to grab lunch with a focus on Korean-Italian fusion. They have indoor seating with tvs and outdoor seating with heat lamps. We opted for outdoors since it was a nice day out. For a party of three that wasn't too hungry, we all shared the chili oil wontons, creamy miso cacio e pepe with added pork belly, and the dumpling egg soup. The chili oil wontons are so cute, came out with like 12 tiny wontons in the chili oil sauce. The dumping soup was nice on a cold winter day. It came with some kimchi and radishes on the side. The star of the show though was the creamy miso cacio e pepe. We order the pork belly as an add on. They forgot it when the pasta came out though, and we had to wave a server down to get it. The pasta texture was perfect. I'd come back for the pasta. The pork belly on the other hand, I don't know if they rushed it, but it was not great. It had a weird texture and smelled like old oil was used. It only came with 6 pieces too. We could have said something but none of us felt like eating it afterwards, and the pieces were pretty fatty. I'd either skip the protein since the pasta great on it's own, or get a different protein. We came right at lunch so the wait wasn't too crazy surprisingly, but shortly after we got seated, we noticed a line and a lot of people waiting. Recommend coming earlier to avoid the wait. read more

Jeju Kitchen - Wonton egg soup in the back and the creamy miso cacio e pepe pasta in front. - Korean Near Me - Carmel-by-the-Sea, California

Here to echo many of the reviews....I'd give them 2.5 stars if I could. The good: miso cacio e pepe was solid, salmon bowl was good as was the garden salad & the jalapeno burger. The bad: We waited after we were seated for about 15 min to even be greeted. The food: The glass noodles were bland...my daughter said that the glass noodles we get from Trader Joe's were better than these! No sweetness, completely lacking in flavor. The jalapeno burger was very good, but came out before our appetizer & that was about 15 min before the other entrees came out. When we asked our server about the dumplings we ordered after entrees started to arrive, we rec'd a very dismissive "they take a long time" comment. Really, steamed dumplings take a long time? okaaay. I cannot stand restaurants that cannot manage to pace a meal appropriately & bring out food as ordered. No one should be finished with their meal before other entrees arrive. My husband's salmon bowl arrived about 10 min after everyone else's entrees arrived. I would not come back here - the food wasn't good enough to compensate for the dismissive, inattentive service & the haphazard order in which food was delivered. read more

If there's one place you need to eat when you're in Carmel.... this is the one. After seeing multiple tik toks about this place, I had to see for myself what all the hype was about.... and the hype is real. From the service to the food itself, it had it all. Our server, Kenny, was awesome! He had great knowledge of the menu (i.e. knowing what drink would pair best with the dishes we were ordering), was super attentive, and overall made the experience great! Now... THE FOOD. To start, I thought the appeteizers we started out with were just OK. Solid, not life changing. We got the fried calamari and the chicken wings and both were okay, I wouldn't necessarily get either of them again. BUT THE PASTA???? The stars of the showwwwwww. 〰  Kimichi Mac 'N' Cheese (5/5): INCREDIBLE. I read another Yelp review saying they think of this mac n cheese often and I can also attest.... I still think about it. It is delicious. I opted to add pork belly to mine and it was *chef's kiss*. So incredibly flavorful and comforting. A MUST GET. 〰  Creamy Miso Cacio e Pepe (5/5): WOW! This pasta was so good that as soon as our waiter took the order, the people at the table next to us told us it was a good choice and we wouldn't be disappointed. Another must have. DELISH. I would 1000000% come here again. In fact, I would come to Carmel just to eat here. read more

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My sister has been here so often that the staff actually knows her, and it really showed. We were on vacation with all my sisters and chose to have dinner here one night, and we were treated like VIPs from the moment we sat down.. We ordered a few appetizers to share, with the dumplings and the kim chee pancake being my favorites. For mains, we shared several dishes, and the Korean fried chicken was a standout. The portions are very generous. Even with three of us sharing, we still had leftovers. To top it off, they surprised us by comping a couple of large desserts, which was such a nice touch. Just a note that tables of six have an automatic gratuity, which is pretty standard. Great food, warm service, and a memorable experience. read more

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The restaurant felt a little nostalgic like a diner when people dined in diners. Parking lot felt a little shady like I should go check on the car every few mins lol. We ordered chicken tenders for the kiddies and I ordered a chimichurri sandwich. Since we were at a Korean restaurant we better order something that represents so we got the KFC. Sandwich was better than I expected but the chicken was stripped of its juices like it had been practicing Tae Kwon Do all day in a hot dojo. What do you do when you order a steak at a steakhouse but it's super dry? You ask for A1. We asked for some sauce on the side to give it some hydration. Service was good tho I have to say. Would be willing to give it another try when in the area again. read more

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Was definitely ready for this to be an overpriced mediocre experience but I will say O really did enjoy everything. The korean twist on classics worked extremely well with the standout being the cacao e pepe (OBVIOUSLY) and the kimchi mac and cheese. Both very creamy but surprisingly not heavy? Wouldn't down the whole thing solo, but great to share. I would absolutely come back here read more

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We decided to try for a Korean fusion food. We started with Gangnam tot, then we ordered dolsot bibimbap, cacio e pepe, spicy chicken, and short rib. I think they are all good but not exceptional. The bibimbap was too greasy so the rice didn't stick to the side of the dolsot (hot stone), the rest of the dishes get 3* Service and location got 4*. We ordered matcha tiramisu, it was great!! I will get this again. The calculation of the tip is after tax, hmmm software error? read more

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JEJU Kitchen in Carmel Plaza is truly one of the best additions Carmel has had in years. Located right in the heart of Carmel-by-the-Sea, inside Carmel Plaza off Ocean and Mission, this family-owned and family-run restaurant opened in early 2024 and has quickly become one of my family's favorite places to eat. I am an absolute foodie, and over the years I have honestly become harder to impress. I've been disappointed many times by restaurants that look great but do not deliver when it comes to quality, flavor, consistency, or service. JEJU Kitchen is different. From the first time we tried it, it felt special. The food is fresh, creative, flavorful, and made with care. It has a new and exciting twist on Korean food, with touches of California and even a little Hawaiian influence mixed in. In my opinion, it is the best twist on Korean food in Monterey County. One of the absolute standouts is the coconut shrimp. These are not your average coconut shrimp. They are the largest coconut shrimp I have seen since the late 1990s at Chart House. I believe they use a very large shrimp count, something like 8/12 count shrimp, which means only about 8 to 12 shrimp per pound. These are extra, extra large, and they are incredible. Even though they are technically an appetizer, several members of my family order them as their main dish because they are that good. My family absolutely loves them. The kimchi is also excellent, and they have so many other great dishes, but one of my personal favorites is their kimchi burger. It is such a fun and delicious twist on a classic burger. The balance of flavors is exactly what makes JEJU Kitchen so unique. I have also uploaded photos of the jalapeño smashburger and the jalapeño chicken sandwich, both of which are outstanding. You can choose onion rings, fries, or a side salad, and honestly, you cannot go wrong with any of them. The staff is another big reason this place stands out. Everyone is friendly, welcoming, and always there to help. You can tell they care about their customers and take pride in what they are building. The service feels genuine, not forced, and that makes a big difference. In a town with so many restaurants, it is refreshing to find a place that combines great food, warm hospitality, and a family-run atmosphere. My family has lived in Carmel for over 12 years, and I have personally been visiting Carmel Plaza for more than 35 years. JEJU Kitchen is one of the best additions I have seen come to the plaza. It brings something fresh, creative, and much needed to the area. One thing to know before going: this place gets very busy. I highly recommend making a reservation. If you do not have one, they do have bar seating that is first come, first served. You can also order through DoorDash or directly through their website, which I do regularly. Just keep in mind that on busy weekends, they may be too backed up to take online orders, which is completely understandable given how popular they have become. JEJU Kitchen is warm, flavorful, creative, and sincere. Whether you are local, visiting Carmel, or just walking through Carmel Plaza, this is a restaurant worth trying. I hope they continue to grow, and I would be very excited to see them open more locations around the Peninsula. read more

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I found this restaurant off of TikTok and wanted to eat here one day. My cousin made a reservation here for my bachelorette. It was not a huge restaurant and very modern inside. We got seated right away when we arrived. We ordered the steamed dumplings, Korean fried chicken, creamy miso cacio e Pepe, and the kimchi Mac n cheese for the table. The best entree that we had was the kimchi Mac n cheese. I don't like kimchi but it was so good. It had a nice spice to the Mac n cheese. They also gave us a Thai tea tiramisu to celebrate my bachelorette. I would recommend this restaurant to other people and eat here again. read more

Jeju Kitchen - Thai tea tiramisu - Korean Near Me - Carmel-by-the-Sea, California

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We went here after a monterey trip. The food was around $30-$40, and for the portion it was pretty decent. However, the service was really slow. We spent almost 40 minutes waiting for our food, so it didn't really feel worth it at the end. Ambiance was nice, but regardless the wait and service threw everything out. They also charge you a gratuity fee, which was not known before we paid, and it was $20. Wouldn't go here again since I feel like I could get the food cheaper somewhere else. read more

Jeju Kitchen - Kimchi Mac n Cheese w/Pork Belly - Korean Near Me - Carmel-by-the-Sea, California

Overall, not standout but not totally disappointing. Jeju gives an upscale feel + Columbian fusion twist to otherwise familiar Korean dishes. Maybe it was the fusion that threw me off, but I overall felt underwhelmed by most of what I tried, and the food unfortunately did feel quite heavy (but also, maybe it's just the combo of what my party ordered) If I had to choose a favorite dish of the night, it was the Creamy Miso Cacio Pepe, though that was ironically the least Korean dish on my table... The TLDR: not for me, but If you're curious about fusion flavors, this might be a novel place to try... read more

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