SHIA

After watching season 1 of culinary class wars, I knew I had to try Chef Edward Lee’s restaurant •Super intimate fine dining restaurant that is non-profit and focused on being environmentally friendly •You start off at the open kitchen with an appetizer and soju, and it really sets the tone of the night. Exciting, thrilling, and warmness once the soju hits •Our favorite dishes of the night were the osulloc & gamtae guksu, super fragment broth with cold noodles, the grilled strip lion, cooked to a perfect medium rare served with rice and kimchi with an assortment of sauces, and the INCREDIBLE gwail, a juicy fruit inspired dessert that tastes exactly like the candy •Our favorite drink was the bokbunja muscat, sweet flavors of muscat grape mixed with soju and tequila. Also try the apples to oranges, super fresh and sweet tasting fruity drink (non alcoholic) •I would highly recommend trying the restaurant out. Menu changes seasonally. You do need a reservation though

We recently had the pleasure of dining at a Korean fine dining establishment in DC. The culinary experience was truly exceptional, with each dish showcasing a masterful blend of traditional flavors and innovative presentation. From the delicate appetizers to the artfully crafted main courses, the food was consistently outstanding. The ingredients were clearly of the highest quality, and the execution demonstrated a deep understanding of Korean cuisine. Beyond the remarkable food, the service we received elevated the entire evening. Our servers were attentive, knowledgeable, and incredibly gracious throughout our meal. They anticipated our needs with a remarkable sense of timing and offered insightful recommendations. The entire staff contributed to an atmosphere of refined hospitality. This restaurant offers a truly memorable fine dining experience.

Went for a 5 course tasting menu on a weekday seated at the bar and it was absolutely fantastic! The entrance was a little obscure, but the atmosphere inside was cosy & chic. Warm service, great food & pairing drinks. Shoutout to Geoff for some great recommendations around the area too. Would definitely come back in future!

My friend and I had the most wonderful time dining at Shia. Every dish was deliciously curated and it was an unforgettable night of exceptional cuisine. My abalone did have some small sandy grits in it which was disappointing, but the juk was so delicious and well-balanced that it did not detract too much from the overall enjoyment of the dish. The cold app (pine nut, doondubu & apple juk, Maryland crab, Jeju tangerine vinegar) and dessert (nurungji rice, laver, persimmon, boricha ice cream) were my favorites. The beverage pairing was also perfect. Chef Lee was very personable and I appreciated his thoughtful explanation of the dishes. The staff was so friendly and went above and beyond to make the evening a delightful experience. Highly recommend!

I went to Shia with high expectations, but overall I was a bit disappointed. Before this, I had visited Musaafer in Houston, which is also a Michelin restaurant offering a tasting menu. Compared with Shia, Musaafer’s dishes and environment felt worthy of its price, but Shia did not give me that impression. First, the restaurant space felt too cramped, and the tables were placed very close to one another. Second, although each dish was different, three of them used sauces that tasted almost the same. Two dishes did leave a good impression on me. One was the pumpkin soup—its flavors were layered and the texture was incredibly smooth, though the aftertaste was slightly salty. The other was the steak, which was very tender and perfectly seasoned. Whether eaten on its own or paired with the orange sauce on the side, it tasted harmonious. However, the green sauce on the plate had no flavor at all, which made me wonder whether it was meant to accompany the steak or simply serve as decoration. There were three dishes paired with a similar orange-colored sauce. Although each version was slightly adjusted, the taste was essentially the same, making me feel like I was repeatedly eating the same dish. One of the courses featured fish, but unfortunately the sauce completely overwhelmed the fish’s natural flavor. I could tell the fish was very fresh—its flesh was firm and springy, and it was cooked to the perfect doneness, wonderfully tender. But I have to say that the sauce paired with the fish was a major misstep. The reason I still gave it 4 stars was because I watched Culinary Class Wars and was impressed by Edward’s creativity and dedication to cooking. I truly like him, but the dishes at Shia still left me somewhat disappointed.

I was quite impressed with the food, service, and atmosphere at Shia. Granted, I'm bit of a fanboy of Chef Lee, but that food was amazing. The Hobak Juk with white truffle was heavenly and I am constantly thinking about how to go and get orders of that. Was it traditional Korean food? According to the table next to us, certainly not. Was it amazing and memorable? Absolutely. One of the best meals I have had in a while.

Atmosphere on the restaurant is calm and chill, very adequate for either taking care of yourself on a solo date or bringing someone. Love it. Food is incredible, lots of different flavors, textures and techniques that reflect chef’s vision and shares Korean culture through it. Beautiful experience