La Yeon — Restaurant in Seoul

A truly fantastic experience.

We were seated at a table right next to the window with a breathtaking view of the city. Not only could we see the buildings of Seoul, but we could see Namsan Mountain and Seoul tower all lit up.

We had a choice of two menus. Both are tasting menu style and 9 or 10 courses.

I ordered the Shilla option along with the wine pairing. Mh chose the Feast option which was 9 courses. Some courses were the same on both.

The first course was an appetizing drink with jealies. The drink was light and a little gritty in texture. On its own it would not stand out at all, but followed by the jealies, it was quite delicious.

The second course was different. The Shilla option was diy crepe. There were 9 filling options that made 5 “crepes” total. It was good, but compared to the feast option, it paled a little. The feast was a shrimp tar tar like dish that was one of the best of the evening.

Course 3 was soup. The winner being shilla was a cold soup with fish and veggies. The orange sauce/broth they poured in was out of this world. The rice soup on the feast course was good but a little bland for my personal tastes.

Course 4: dumplings. Both were very good. The feast course needed to be eaten with the sauce or it was bland. But the sauce topped it off and really made the dish.

Course 5: fish. Shilla won this round with grilled eel cooked to perfection. The Feast’s squid in a broth like sauce was also very good.

Course 6: extra course for the shilla. It was a traditional broth seafood soup served in a traditional silver dish that came with a story about why it’s served the way it is and how it was only meant for royalty because the ingredients were so expensive at the time. This dish is actually enough for two, so the server brought and extra bowl for us to share which we happily did. It was very good and would be quite a comforting dish—especially on a winter day.

Course 7: meat course. The shilla came with the best kalbi I’ve ever eaten along with the most amazing caramelized onion that will absolutely ruin you for all other onions. The feast had a chicken option but mh upgraded to the beef option which was a bulgogi dish that again was the best bulgogi I’ve ever had. These two dishes were such perfection. I do feel the shilla takes a slight edge.

Course 8: rice. It was a rice dish with options and we both opted for the beef tar tar that was so insanely good. The rice was perfectly cooked and came with various items you could mix in. I confess we got confused and only mixed in the sauce and tried the “sides” not realizing we could mix it all in until we saw other people doing it. But again, it was so good with the sauce the raw strips of beef that we did not feel we missed anything.

Course 9 was dessert. Creme brûlée with corn ice cream. Sounds weird, but it was seriously so good. Not a scrape left in our bowls. The only thing that could have possibly made it even more perfect would have been a couple of raspberries to go with.

Course 10 was a watermelon jelly with cold cinnamon tea. The jelly was delicious and while the tea was very good, the cinnamon was a bit strong for me which is saying something as I love cinnamon.

We left a bit overly stuffed but extremely happy. The service was timed perfectly and we never lacked for a thing. The wines paired well with the courses. The champagne was amazing (and I don’t love champagne). But I did not finish the dessert wine as it was way too sweet for me.

If you’re in Seoul and ready to experience fine dining Korean style, then definitely come here. It’s quite an experience.

*This was our first Michelin experience. Mh wore a suit and I a nice dress. We were a bit over dressed by comparison but it was a special occasion. Most tables looked nice but not particularly fancy. I noticed Koreans tend to be pretty casual, so...

A Refined Experience at La Yeon (Seoul) Perched on the 23rd floor of The Shilla Seoul hotel, a dining experience at La Yeon offers more than just a meal; it's an elevated journey into the world of traditional Korean haute cuisine. From the moment you step out of the elevator, the atmosphere exudes an air of understated luxury and tranquility. The dining room is exquisitely appointed, with generously spaced tables, pristine white linens, and an elegant decor that beautifully marries modern design with subtle touches of Korean aesthetics. The expansive windows frame breathtaking views of Namsan Mountain and the Seoul skyline, creating a truly spectacular backdrop for the culinary artistry that unfolds.

The cuisine at La Yeon is a masterful interpretation of hansik, traditional Korean food, presented with exceptional delicacy and precision. The culinary philosophy here seems to revolve around showcasing the inherent flavors of premium, seasonal ingredients. There’s a remarkable lightness to the dishes, which honors time-honored traditions while simultaneously presenting them in a refined, contemporary fashion. Unlike some bolder Korean flavors, the emphasis at La Yeon is on subtlety and purity. Each ingredient is allowed to shine, contributing to a harmonious and balanced taste profile. You'll find meticulous attention to detail in every aspect, from the selection of the freshest produce to the careful execution of each cooking technique.

The tasting menus, which often change to reflect the four distinct seasons of Korea, provide a comprehensive exploration of the kitchen's capabilities. You might encounter exquisitely prepared seafood, such as delicately cooked fish with crispy skin, or perfectly chargrilled Hanwoo (Korean beef) that is incredibly tender and flavorful. The use of traditional Korean ingredients like ginseng, various unique herbs, and carefully prepared sauces adds layers of authentic taste without overwhelming the natural essence of the main components. Even seemingly simple dishes are elevated through the quality of ingredients and precision of preparation, turning them into memorable culinary statements.

Beyond the exquisite food, the service at La Yeon is exemplary. The staff moves with a quiet grace and an intuitive understanding of the dining pace. They are knowledgeable about each dish, providing insightful explanations of ingredients and preparation methods without being intrusive. This attentive yet unobtrusive service contributes significantly to the serene and luxurious ambiance, allowing guests to fully savor each moment of their meal. The overall experience feels meticulously choreographed, from the welcoming nibbles to the concluding Korean tea.

La Yeon offers an unparalleled opportunity to experience Korean gastronomy at its most refined. It’s a destination for those who appreciate nuanced flavors, exquisite presentations, and a dining experience that is both culturally enriching and deeply satisfying. It leaves a lasting impression of sophisticated taste, impeccable execution, and a profound respect for the beauty of Korean...

This was one of the worst Michelin star experiences I had. I have visited about five or six 3-Michelin star restaurants, and more than a dozen of one and two stars restaurants and this one was the worst. Let's start with the good - View and location are incredible. The location is on the top floor of the exclusive Seoul Shilla Hotel, and the way to the restaurants through the hotel is very impressive - That tear-drops chandelier is just... Wow. The vibe - Only about seven or eight tables, feels very intimate and with that view (especially in the evening when you can see the light of Seoul around you) very romantic. The staff(* more about the staff under "Bad" section) - Very courteous

The bad Pretty much everything else. The food - The first few dishes very kind of ok, and I'm sure that part of it is just the fact that my palette is not used to these tastes, but the more we progressed through our meals and just became less and less flavorful or.. well, interesting. It was the first time for me when I just decided to skip the last two courses. The main problem, in my opinion, the food just doesn't live up to the standard you expect from a 3-Michelin star restaurant. You can argue that it's very different from what my Eastern stomach expect, and I will say that we went to another Michelin star restaurant in Seoul, and while they also had "Korean menu" we had a blast. It was just not tasty enough to continue eating. The tempo - Usually, in such restaurants - The courses are small. It's a tasting menu, after all. But you also never leave hungry as there will be about 10-12 courses. The thing is, the meal is more than just the sum of the courses. It's a "story," and there should be a certain flow to the meal. We were given a new dish the moment we finished the previous one. We were bombarded with food with no time to digest. And let me tell - It is A LOT of food. At least two of the courses were not "tasting" size - Full blown rice bowl and soup. We skipped the last two. The staff - While very courteous, but due to the size of the room, you can't ignore them. And there is one waiter (at least) going around the room ALL THE TIME. So this person is marching up and down the room, and you constantly feel watched and they just wait to pick up that empty plate and bring you the next course.

No. Just no. Maybe this place used to be good, but it's not worth the money (we took the more expansive meal, but the difference between them is not that big) Extremely...