Ji Hye Kim has built a national reputation for expanding the conversation around Korean cuisine in the United States. The owner of Miss Kim and Little Kim in Ann Arbor approaches her cooking through a distinctly Midwestern perspective, highlighting seasonal Michigan ingredients while honoring the breadth and nuance of Korean culinary traditions. Named a Food & Wine Best New Chef in 2021 and a five-time James Beard semifinalist, Kim uses her platform to challenge perceptions of Korean food and tell deeper stories about migration and identity.
Kim’s path to the kitchen was anything but conventional. At 27, she left a career in hospital administration to pursue cooking, starting over in the food world at Zingerman’s Delicatessen in Ann Arbor, where she developed her craft within one of Michigan’s most influential culinary institutions. That leap of faith ultimately led to the opening of her own restaurants and a career defined by curiosity. Kim spoke to JoySauce about her culinary journey, finding ancient Korean recipes and how the Midwest shapes her cuisine.
This interview has been edited for clarity and length.…