SHIA Restaurant

Name: SHIA Restaurant
Address: 1252 4th St NE, Washington, DC, United States, 20002
Telephone: (202) 802-5166
Price range: $50 and over
Rating: 4.8

4.8 (159)

$50 and over

Korean

1252 4th St NE, Washington, DC 20002

Make a reservation

2 people

Jul 9, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 21 times today

Experiences are available.

About this restaurant

Good for special occasions
Innovative
Great for creative cocktails

SHIA (shee-uh) is a modern Korean fine dining restaurant in Washington, D.C., dedicated to sustainability, innovation, and cultural storytelling. Our tasting menu-only experience spotlights the intersection of local agriculture and premium Hansik ingredients, using fresh, seasonal elements with minimal manipulation to honor the environment. As a non-profit restaurant, SHIA is more than just a dining destination; it’s a platform for tackling key challenges in the restaurant industry, from environmental responsibility to fair labor practices and culinary heritage preservation.

**Please Note: Chef Lee's appearance is not guaranteed, and his availability is not given to the team or guests.**

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Fine Dining
Price
$50 and over
Cuisines
Korean, Contemporary Korean, Farm-to-table
Hours of operation
Tue–Sat 5:00 pm–10:30 pm
Phone number
(202) 802-5166
Website
http://www.shiarestaurant.org/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Business Casual
Executive chef
Chef Edward Lee

Location
1252 4th St NE, Washington, DC 20002
Neighborhood
Washington
Cross street
On the corner of 4th St NE & Morse St NE
Parking details
Street Parking
Public transit
NoMa / Gallaudet on the Red Line. Buses 90/92.
Additional
Beer, Cocktails, Gender Neutral Restroom, Non-Smoking, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

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Experiences

Second Night! Singles Inferno: Solo Dining Series
$185.00 per person
Prepaid
Jul 9, 2025 only
7:45 PM
Inspired by the hit Korean reality series, Singles Inferno at SHIA is a dining event for solo guests seeking heat—whether culinary, conversational, or something in between. You’ll be seated communally for a seven-course Korean tasting menu, joined by others who enjoy dining solo... or who might be open to not being solo for long. There’s no pressure to mingle, no games, and no eliminations—just beautiful food, shared presence, and a little fire. Each guest receives a complimentary spicy soju martini to start and a secret spicy dessert to finish. Beverage pairings are optional and will be available for selection once you are seated. Romantic? Maybe. Memorable? Guaranteed. Come as you are, and (maybe) leave with something new. Only 10 tickets available per evening.
7 Course Pre-Fixe (Dining Room)
Multiple dates available
Welcome to SHIA, where each dish is a celebration of Korean-inspired flavors and meticulous craftsmanship. Our seven-course tasting menu ($185 per person) is served in our open-kitchen dining room and invites you on a culinary journey that blends tradition with innovation, highlighting the season’s finest Hansik ingredients. SHIA will plant the seed for innovation in the restaurant industry, conducting on-site, real-time research with in-house researchers and university partners to solve for zero-gas kitchens, zero plastics and waste reduction. We invite you to relax, savor, and let us guide you through an evening of discovery. Thank you for allowing us to share this experience with you—it’s an honor to have you at our table. **Please Note: Chef Lee's appearance is not guaranteed!**
5 Course Pre-Fixe (Lounge Only)
Multiple dates available
Join us in the lounge for an exclusive $90 five-course tasting menu, crafted specifically for this intimate lounge setting. These seats (lounge + bar) offer a distinct experience, separate from our dining room, allowing you to enjoy a curated selection of seasonal dishes in a more relaxed, up-close atmosphere. Perfect for those seeking a taste of SHIA with a unique perspective—these seats are limited, so reserve yours today! **Please Note: Chef Lee's appearance is not guaranteed!**

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Scallop and Fried Oyster Ssam
Myeongran Roe | Asian Pear | Ssamjang
Black Sesame Guksu
Mugwort | Uni | Caviar | Picked Cucmber
Mul Hwe
Joetgal | Winter Mu | Gamtae | Red Frill Mustard
Doenjang Pork Belly
Abalone | Clams | White Kimchi | 7 Grain Jook
Seared Saengsun
Jeju Broth | Bitter Greens | Kelp Fish Cake
Korean Gyeoja-Glazed Duck
Braised Ma | Black Garlic | Sot Bop | Banchan
Ssuk Ice Cream
Sweet Corn Puree | Bourbon Honey Glaze | Shortbread | Mint Oil

What 159 people are saying

SHIA Restaurant reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8

4.8 based on recent ratings

4.8Food
4.9Service
4.9Ambience
4.5Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Washington, D.C. Area
Best Ambiance
Virginia - DC Suburbs
Best Ambiance
Virginia - DC Suburbs
Innovative

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

SHIA Restaurant offers an unforgettable dining experience with "phenomenal" Korean-inspired dishes crafted by Chef Edward Lee. Guests appreciate the "superb" service, cozy ambiance, and "creative" menu that blends tradition with innovation. While some find the entrance hidden, the overall experience is worth it, especially for special occasions.

159 Reviews

C
Chih-Kang
Detroit / Eastern Michigan18 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Fantastic! Great experience started with welcoming staffs. The food was impressive with creativity and Korean flavors and ingredients. We're lucky enough to meet chef Edward! Surely a star-worthy restaurant. Can't wait to visit again.
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C
Catherine
Washington, D.C. Area1 review
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Along with the outstanding food, the service was impeccable. You can tell how much thought goes into each dish. The food is elevated with dynamic flavors while also warm and homey. It’s a lovely balance. The restaurant is small, but we loved the ambiance. The Korean alcohol pairing was also very fun and enhanced our experience. We hope to be back soon!
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S
Selena
Washington, D.C. Area1 review
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We had such a great experience in this restaurant. The bartender had such a great description of alcohol and the food was so great. We ate the tasting menu, but we also want to experience course cooking next time. I was also very lucky to meet Chef Lee.
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J
Jessica
Minneapolis - St. Paul1 review
5.0
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Two guests and I had the 5-course tasting in the bar area. The service, at all levels, was superb—knowledgeable and courteous. It was wonderful to learn about SHIA’s role in collecting data about how restaurants can function more sustainably. Can’t wait to have an opportunity to return.
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G
Grace VIP
Washington, D.C. Area3 reviews
5.0
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
SHIA is a phenomenal restaurant and lives up to the excellence and creativity of Chef Edward Lee. We went there for our anniversary and they made it so special. It is an intimate and luxurious restaurant, with lovely music. I liked that the dining room wasn’t loud like most city restaurants. We loved the Korean-inspired cuisine. As usual, Chef Lee puts his creative magic touch to combine interesting flavors, textures, temperatures, and cultures in ways that you can’t replicate at home and will never get anywhere else. The service was superb — very personalized and personable. The staff was very knowledgeable about all the ingredients and answered our questions thoroughly. I first discovered Chef Lee at a charity event over a decade ago when he prepared half of the dinner courses. He outshone the other chef and I learned that he would soon be appearing on Iron Chef (which he won). I told him then that he would one day cook for the Korean Embassy or White House—and he has! We are huge fans of Chef Lee, having dined at 610 Magnolia (Louisville, KY) and Succotash (National Harbor/DC). SHIA is his best restaurant yet. I highly recommend that you go before it hits #1 on the Washingtonian. It reminded me of top dishes from Culinary Class Wars (Netflix). I’m going back for my sister’s birthday!
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S
Stephanie
Washington, D.C. Area6 reviews
5.0
Dined on June 29, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Best meal I've had all year. Staff were super accommodating to me as a pregnant guest. Stellar service!
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V
Vishal
Philadelphia County1 review
5.0
Dined on June 28, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Fantastic expensive from start to finish; great hospitality and amazing food. They even made it a special occasion for us since it was our last big meal before the baby was born.
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C
Celia
Washington, D.C. Area5 reviews
5.0
Dined on June 25, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
An UH-mazing experience from start to finish! We were blown away by the warm, welcoming atmosphere, the restaurant’s commitment to sustainability and research, and the fact that it’s a non-profit—how cool is that? But the real star? The food. Every dish was bursting with flavor, and the hospitality made us feel like we were dining in a friend’s home… if that friend just happened to be a Michelin-starred chef. Run, don’t walk, to SHIA—and bring your mom, your neighbor, your mom’s neighbor, and your neighbor’s mom too. Trust us, they’ll thank you. 👏🍽️✨
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T
Tova
Washington, D.C. Area5 reviews
5.0
Dined on June 25, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Wow I wish I could give a 10/10 for this place. The only thing was the entrance sign was really discrete so we walked past it, but eventually saw the door. There's street parking as well as a few garages nearby and the restaurant lets you know there's free parking for 3 hours somewhere. The restaurant was cozy with few seating in the main area with open kitchen. At first the noise level was decent but then it became harder to hear since more people came in. The service was really attentive of my shellfish allergies and overall great at managing when dishes came out and grabbing plates and refills. The restroom door blends into the wall, but they show you where it is. Lighting was nice and music wasn't too loud. The food was beyond delicious that I'd come back here again just to eat more. Every dish left me wanting more which doesn't happen often. It was well proportioned out that we were worried we'd be too full to finish. Only struggle was the choice of bowl for the soup, it was sometimes hard to get the soup out although probably just for the flavor.
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S
Sang VIP
Greater Boston5 reviews
5.0
Dined on June 24, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
It was an excellent experience to try one of Chef Edward Lee’s restaurants! I truly appreciated the creativity and quality of the food. I really enjoyed the authentic ingredients from Korea. We will visit again! Thank you:)
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FAQs

SHIA Restaurant is rated 4.8 stars by 159 OpenTable diners.

SHIA Restaurant does offer gift cards which you can purchase here.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.