SHIA Restaurant

Review summary

1. k

   kevin

   Baltimore

   2 reviews

   5.0

   2 reviews

   Dined today

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   12/10/24 didn’t know what to expect as we were hoping for chef Edward lee’s presence, but wasn’t banking on it. Soon as we walked through the door, there he was and our excitement just rose through the roof. First course at the bar was a mandoo with all sorts of flavor profile you never expect from a dumpling. Sweet, acidic, sour, umami, it had everything in a small bite to launch off your culinary adventure. We then were escorted into main dining room where we were able to have a closer look at their kitchen and have another bite sized deliciousness of Saam, which was so clean in plate and fragrance of sesame leave set the tone of Korean cuisine expedition. Third course, the soon tofu soup……. So unexpected, so refined, and clean taste, it was most unexpected flavor punch of the night and to me the favorite course of entire meal. After that, we got the chef’s version of bibimbop. Then comes a dish surprised me which reminded me of traditional duwein Jang Jo gae that has pungent smell of fermented soy bean, which I thought no way he would out this on fine dining but yes he did, and he did not hold back on full flavor profile of Jjang and as I was eating the fish I was so proud that the could represent a Korean dish in such fine tuned way. Then next course was main course od protein which can’t go wrong and it came for time for dessert which ended up being my 2nd favorite dish of the night as it had salty, sweet, sour, all types of flavor, but I never expected to get umami taste out of noo roong ji, which was a huge surprise for me. We were able to take picture with chef Edward Lee and see him in person which was a icing on top, but impeccable attention to detail on dining experience from Shia team has left us with unforgettable memory and experience. Special thanks to Joe for making us feel at home and experiencing Korean “Jung aka service” first hand going above and beyond to make this night to Rember an cherish.
   

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2. T

   Taekyung

   San Francisco

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   One of the best Korean style foods I’ve EVER had. Thank you!
   

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3. E

   Esther

   Washington DC

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 4 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   This was my second time at Shia. I visited in November and was blown away by the experience. I was so impressed that I decided to celebrate my birthday here this weekend. I'm glad I did. They updated the menu so I was able to try some of the new items, such as the kalbi short ribs. The meat melts in your mouth and the fermented black bean garnish compliments the beef fat flawlessly. They also upgraded the entire course, like adding a new savory sauce to the mandu, sprinkling bits of homemade potato chips on the boricha ice cream, to bring out more complex flavors in all the dishes. The entire culinary team has put their hearts and souls into perfecting the tasting menu. Chef Lee himself came to present some of the dishes, making the night even more special. I cannot wait to try what the team brings out for spring. As for the service, they ensured I had the best experience possible. I was gifted a hand-written birthday card, and Shia even treated me and my friends each with our own glass of bubbles. And to top it all off, we were given a gift bag of goodies (reusable produce bag, spicy salts, copy of the menu, boricha tea bag, and a thank you note). DC is lucky to be the home of Shia with its groundbreaking commitment to sustainability and Korean American cuisine. Thank you so much!
   

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4. J

   Jin

   Washington DC

   4 reviews

   3.0

   4 reviews

   Dined 6 days ago

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Great Korean fusion food experience. Staffs are kind and food was great. We didn't know the wine pairing was separate charge even it was written with the menu as other pairing drinks, so be careful! I was a bit surprised to see the final price. Chef's innovative approaches to Korean food were definitely amazing and fantastic!
   

   SHIA RestaurantResponded 6 days ago

   Thank you so much for your thoughtful review and for sharing your experience with us! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed our innovative take on Korean cuisine and that our team made you feel welcome. We do understand how important it is to have clarity around pricing, and we sincerely appreciate your feedback. To clarify, the wine pairing is listed as a separate charge on the tasting menu, as well as in our beverage booklet, but we’ll take another look to ensure it’s as clear as possible. Your input helps us improve, and we’re grateful for it. Thank you again for visiting SHIA! We hope to have the pleasure of serving you again soon.
   

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5. K

   Kaley

   Washington DC

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 7 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Shia was a wonderful experience. The food was incredible and the space was beautiful. I had asked for no pork on my menu but was given the pork dish. My date was very happy to have doubled up on pork as I gave mine to him. The staff was a bit suffocating. Our waters would be refilled before we even took a sip out of them and we were routinely asked the same questions and never really left alone. It felt like we had to perform rather than enjoy our meal. There was also a lot of hesitation about what exactly the timing was between the first bite in the front bar and moving to the main dining space. We weren't sure what we were supposed to do or how long we were supposed to sit or how quickly/slowly we were to enjoy the first bites. Overall, a wonderful experience that I'm sure will be refined over time as the staff settle in a bit more.
   

   SHIA RestaurantResponded 6 days ago

   Thank you so much for sharing your detailed feedback! We’re delighted to hear you enjoyed the food and found the space beautiful. That said, we sincerely apologize for the mix-up with your no-pork request. While we’re glad your date appreciated the extra serving, we understand it wasn’t what you had planned, and we’ll work to improve how we handle dietary preferences. We also appreciate your thoughts on service and pacing. Striking the right balance between attentiveness and giving guests space is something we’re actively refining. Your input about the bar-to-dining room transition is especially helpful as we work to smooth out the flow. We’re grateful for your understanding and hope to welcome you back for an even better experience in the future!
   

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6. Z

   Zumi

   Washington DC

   5 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   5 reviews

   Dined on November 27, 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Everything about this restaurant was delicious and thoughtfully made. Even though Chef Edward Lee was not there in person, the Chef that was cooking did an amazing job because the food was very flavorful. This restaurant has exceeded my expectations and I am glad I did not give up on making the reservations.
   

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   SHIA RestaurantResponded 6 days ago

   Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your experience and found the food delicious and thoughtfully crafted. Our team is dedicated to delivering flavorful, memorable meals, and we’re so glad we could exceed your expectations. While Chef Edward Lee wasn’t present, we’re delighted that our talented team made your visit special. Thank you for your persistence in securing a reservation—it means the world to us! We can’t wait to welcome you back again soon.
   

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7. S

   Stephanie

   Philadelphia

   1 review

   3.0

   1 review

   Dined on November 23, 2024

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   We only truly enjoyed 3/7 courses. Dare I say the interpretive bibimbop was my least favorite?! Service was standard for the price point. Ambiance also fine and what you'd expect. Basically accepted that we paid for the novelty and hype of Chef Lee post-Culinary Class Wars. The group next to us travelled all the way from north New Jersey. As DMV locals, we would not recommend traveling for the meal if you're looking to be blown away. Overall, we had a good experience but wouldn't return because of overall value.
   

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8. I

   Ian

   Richmond

   1 review

   2.0

   1 review

   Dined on November 23, 2024

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 3

   I dined at Shia on 11/23, and while I was eager to support Chef Edward Lee after following his journey on Netflix’s Culinary Class Wars, my experience left much to be desired. The main reason I chose Shia was for the chance to meet Chef Lee. However, figuring out whether he would actually be present at the restaurant was incredibly difficult. Despite multiple calls, I received vague and inconsistent responses from the staff. At times, they cited privacy concerns, while at other times, they seemed completely unaware of his schedule until the day of. It felt like there was a deliberate effort to avoid giving a clear answer, which left me feeling like just another number. I suspect this was to prevent cancellations, but for someone traveling from Richmond with the sole purpose of meeting him, this lack of transparency was frustrating and disappointing. The dinner itself was very expensive—$450 for two people with one drink and tip. Given this price point, I expected a higher level of service and consideration for guests with specific intentions. When I asked if I could leave my book at the restaurant to be signed at a later time, the staff initially said no because they couldn’t return it to me. When I offered to pick it up myself, the answer still was no. The moving goalposts only added to my frustration. While the food was good and the kitchen staff seemed pleasant, the overall experience was overshadowed by the lack of a system to accommodate fans like myself who visit with high hopes of meeting Chef Lee. I wish I could have left with positive memories, but unfortunately, I cannot. If you’re going solely for the food, you may enjoy your experience. However, if you’re a fan of Chef Lee hoping to meet him, be prepared for disappointment and little guidance from the restaurant.
   

   SHIA RestaurantResponded on November 24, 2024

   Thank you for sharing your feedback about your visit. I’m truly sorry your experience didn’t meet your expectations, especially given your enthusiasm for Chef Lee and the effort you made to dine with us. We completely understand the excitement of wanting to meet Chef Lee and truly value your support. However, his demanding schedule across multiple projects and commitments makes his presence unpredictable - this is why we can’t guarantee his availability, a point we outline in our FAQ and during pre-reservation communications to set expectations early on. I’m glad to hear you found the food and staff pleasant, as these are hallmarks of the fine dining experience we work so hard to deliver. We do not place value on one human's involvement, but the energy brought by the team as a whole.
   

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9. J

   Jane

   Chicago

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on November 23, 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Service was great, ambiance was VERY nice, and food was stellar! :)
   

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10. E

    Eddie

    New York City

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 19, 2024

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5

    From my Beli review (rank #5 on Beli) Netflix Culinary Class Wars finalist/iron chef Edward Lee latest restaurant "Shia" As soon as you walk in, they seat you at the bar with your 1st course. When they're ready they walk you into the dining hall to chef's counter with your 2nd course and talk little bit about lee initiative. Shortly after you are seated to your table. Unfortunately Chef Edward Lee was not here today. Pumpkin Mandu - dumpling skin was fresh and was good, however chestnut sauce with pickled ginseng was ok. I honestly had doubts about Shia after this bite. Scallop and fried oyster ssam - best dish of the night. It was absolutely 🔥 the hot/cold worked in sync, the crunch/smokiness made it a memorable bite. Pine nut soondubu apple juk - broth itself was very bland, once you mix tangerine vinegar it was ok. Crab didn't have much flavor, the bite with mandu was decent. Each bite varied too much. Tuna bibimbap - the dish that everyone wants to try. The plate choice here does not make any sense to me, it should be swapped out with the dish they used for dessert. It was pretty good, nurungji plus the tuna worked well together. I rather have a caviar shot with the amount that was served. It was good but not memorable. Doenjang pork belly - again the plate choice here is questionable. Serving soup on a flat plate.. Kimchi was not sliced, and you can't cut it with your fork. Eating with pork belly was too salty and eating with clams was too bland. Poorly executed dish. VA rib eye - kalbi butter was 🔥 it slapped hard. Rib eye wasn't as tender as I expected it to be. The kimchi it was served with as banchan was wayyyyyy too sour. I was dumbfoundead that this passed as ok to be served.. Boricha ice cream - this was very good Service was top tier, clean table after every course. I'm not sure if it was due to Edward Lee not being here today, but it was very underwhelming experience.
    

    SHIA RestaurantResponded on November 24, 2024

    Thank you for your detailed review! I appreciate the time you took to share such thoughtful feedback. While I’m glad you enjoyed some highlights like the scallop and oyster ssam, boricha ice cream, and the attentive service, I’m truly sorry to hear that other elements of your meal fell short of expectations. Chef Lee’s absence shouldn’t impact the experience, as our team works hard to uphold his vision and standards every night. Your comments about the plate choices, balance of flavors, and execution are incredibly valuable and will be shared with our culinary team for improvement. We’re committed to creating a memorable and consistent experience for every guest, and I hope we have the opportunity to welcome you back for a better one in the future.
    

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