Jihee Kim, chef and owner of Perilla LA, a neighbourhood banchan shop that blends Korean culinary traditions with local Californian produce. Her culinary journey began in Busan, South Korea, where she grew up immersed in the flavors and techniques of her family’s restaurant, founded by her grandmother nearly four decades ago. Early exposure to the intricate art of brining and fermenting, particularly for doenjang, laid a strong foundation. In 2020, she launched a take-away pop-up from her residence, showcasing banchan – small vegetable side dishes complementary to main dishes in Korean cuisine. This concept evolved into Perilla LA, which established its permanent Victor Heights location in 2022. Housed in a converted garage, Perilla LA offers seasonal banchan and prepared meals, reimagining traditional Korean side dishes with local, seasonal ingredients prepared using traditional methods.