December 12, 2023 – Carmel’s only Korean restaurant—Jeju Kitchen—has debuted quietly on the lower level of Carmel Plaza next door to Wrath Wine tasting room where Carmel Burger Bar used to be.
It’s owned by Ashley Wolff—a young veteran of the Carmel restaurant world and media maven of Big Sur Food & Wine—who was born in Seoul.
“Jeju offers traditional Korean food using recipes that were handed down from my great grandmother to my mother,” she says.
Jeju Kitchen is named for Jeju Island, which is considered the Hawaii of Korea. “It’s known for all the lovely produce that grows there,” adds Wolff, who admits the whole project came about rather quickly.
“I had been planning to open a restaurant, but then this opportunity came up at the beginning of November and by December 1st we were open and busy training staff,” she says. The turn around was so quick that signage has not arrived yet, so it still says Carmel Burger Bar outside.
But inside you will find authentic Korean food like kimchi pancakes, spicy bulgogi chicken and jajangmyeon noodles. “Food I remember from my childhood,” says Wolff.
Other dishes include stone pot, Korean fried chicken and miso cacio e pepe pasta.
Jeju Kitchen is open daily from 11am to 8pm with a dog friendly patio. Follow on Instagram @jejucarmel to stay up to date on plans for an official opening in January.
About the author
Deborah Luhrman is publisher and editor of Edible Monterey Bay. A lifelong journalist, she has reported from around the globe, but now prefers covering our flourishing local food scene and growing her own vegetables in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
