Shilla Korean Restaurant — Restaurant in Sarasota

Finding Los Angels or NYC (or even Duluth GA) grade tasteful Korean restaurant in Sarasota is a wrong search to begin with. However, Shilla offers a unique value which you don't easily find even in Los Angeles, CA, NYC, or Duluth GA. To me, authentic Korean food means the taste that brings back my old memories. It can be from nice restaurants, street foods, or my mom's homemade meals. That being said, have you ever wondered what is like to eat homecooked Korean meals? Shilla is one of the rare Korean restaurants in US you can experiene.

Some customers might complain Jjajangmyun or seafood Jjamgppong does not taste like authentic ones. Kimchi might taste different from what they used to eat from other Korean restaurants. To me, Jjajangmyun taste brought back my memory how my mom used to make it for me (used less oil and tried to make it healthier). I knew from the first bite, this wasn't the restaurant style food but it had a well balanced flavor. Jjajangmyun noodles weren't even the restaurant style either but I knew I was eating homecooked style food and was happy.

Lastly, they don't even differentiate the charge on what kind of meat used on Jjajangmyun (you can pick either beef or pork, normally other restaurants charge more on beef). They also offer a bowl of rice for free if you want it. That shows the restaurant owner truly cares her customers. I am glad they survived pandemic last year and I am sure more and more customers will enjoy their food.

Here are the tips: Parking: Free of charge and plenty of spaces Food: Homecooked style meals Ambiance: Not a fancy restaurant but it is average Service: Attentive and personable Price:...

Magnificent. The harmonic balance of fresh, perfectly cooked ingredients in their bibimbap with its rich, complex flavors and textures was beyond expectation. It was sublime. Delivered in a still-sizzling stone bowl of sizable proportion, this just felt like the perfect meal.

Their meals are all made to order, with the kitchen gladly accommodating for specific tastes, but I ordered my meal per menu specifications and it was perfect. The varying interplay between the seasoned vegetables, tender meat, and egg with the delicious rice that crisps where in contact with the stone, is then mixed to create an unmatched, transcendent experience of a meal. It seems nutritionally healthy and balance as well.

Their kimchee is also the best I've personally had, although it still was overshadowed by the perfection that was the main course. They also seem to have vegetarian meals that are undoubtedly just as good. The service was excellent; eager to answer any questions or offer menu advice. Our server also wore a mask for additional safety. The dining area and bathrooms are all very clean and comfortable.

Overall just an incredible experience.

I would have taken photos of my meal for this review, but in that transcendent moment of bliss, I totally forgot. Not to worry, I will supplement this review with photos the next time I have the pleasure of experiencing Shilla.

Edit: I moved away and miss this restaurant!! Don't let the opportunity to dine here pass you by. I had so many dishes...

We have had Shilla on our list of places to try, and last night we went and had a wonderful dinner for 5. Shilla is family-owned and they not only know how to cook(!) but they provide outstanding customer service too! The kalbi is outstanding--great depth of flavor, tender, and cooked perfectly to have just a tad bit of char. We also tried the DaengJung soup (delicious), dolsot bibimbop (excellent), JapChae (wonderful), pajoon (seafood pancake, excellent), squid (good), seasoned tofu (good), bulgogi (very good but the kalbi is better), and the sesame chicken (tasty). The staff were very friendly and highly efficient, and we appreciated the ordering guidance that was provided (we were inclined to order everything on the menu 😄).

The one knock on our experience was that it was very dimly lit inside. It provides a cozy atmosphere but these old eyes just need a little more light to see what we are eating 😄

One of us was born in Korea, and we have all traveled to Korea. We often seek Korean food wherever we go, and will bookmark places that do it well. All in all, the food is fabulous, and the service made the experience even better. We recommend Shilla without reservation and will definitely be making this a regular dinner stop whenever we are in the...