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May 21, 2025 – At Jeju Kitchen, the dining room hums with the sounds of sizzling stone bowls of bibimbap and the slurping of dark black, savory jajangmyeon noodles. It’s a casual, stylish restaurant in the heart of buzzy Carmel Plaza that infuses Korean flavors into bar bites and upscale dishes. Ashley Wolff opened Jeju Kitchen in December 2023, and being the only Korean restaurant in Carmel, she’s become an ambassador of sorts for this cuisine in the city. The people of Carmel were quick to jump on board, and the restaurant has since been recommended by Michelin, the New York Times, and Forbes.

Wolff’s enticing menu features her creations, such as gochujang-loaded tater tots, Korean barbecue wings, and kimchi macaroni and cheese. A fan favorite is the crispy arancini filled with kimchi fried rice and molten cheese. The fun textural contrast of arancini — an initial crunch from the exterior, the chewiness of the rice, and the gooeyness of the cheese — is enhanced by the addition of kimchi, which provides some freshness and funkiness.

Wolff was born in Seoul but only lived there for a year before moving to the United States. As the oldest child, she grew up helping out a lot in the kitchen and quickly learned her mother’s recipes. The menu at Jeju reflects her dining table as a Korean American. The kimchi macaroni and cheese, for example, draws inspiration from the cheesy pasta dishes from her childhood and the quintessential Korean ferment. It’s bright, funky, and rich. “There’s so much food that’s on our menu that I got made fun of for as a kid,” says Wolff, “My mom would pack kimchi soup for my lunch. Now, everyone thinks it’s cool — everyone is eating kimchi because it’s a probiotic.”

Wolff is planning on digging into her Colombian roots from her father’s side in her upcoming brunch menu. She’s also cooking up new dishes like a Korean smash burger that she describes as the baby of kimchi mac and cheese and a Big Mac. There are also fusion dishes on the menu inspired by other Asian cuisines — like the cloud-like, aromatic Thai tea tiramisu. Or the creamy miso cacio e pepe made with mafaldine, miso butter, soy sauce, and sesame oil.