Review of Lunch Course at Shilla Hotel La Yeon - The Elegant Korean Fine Dining of Michelin 2 Stars

Finally Visiting the Place, Shilla Hotel La Yeon!

To celebrate my mom's birthday, I wanted to dine at a special place, so I visited Shilla Hotel La Yeon, which I had reserved a month in advance. Although the Michelin 2-star title felt a bit daunting, I was very curious about the reviews that praised its sophisticated expression of traditional Korean cuisine.

I took the hotel shuttle bus from Dongguk University Station, and as I went up to the 23rd floor, it truly felt like a different world. The entrance of La Yeon, which you see as soon as you get off the elevator, was overwhelming.

First Impressions and Store Atmosphere

The interior of La Yeon was much more luxurious and sophisticated than what I had seen in photos. The tables were spaced generously, giving a private feel, and the carpeted floor ensured a quiet atmosphere without footsteps. The view of Namsan Tower and the Seoul cityscape from the window was truly exquisite.

The service from the staff was truly impressive. They explained each dish in detail and were kind enough to come back and answer any questions we had. It definitely felt like the class of a 5-star hotel.

La Yeon Lunch Course Menu Composition

We ordered the La Yeon Course (195,000 KRW). For lunch, there are two options: the Ye Course and the La Yeon Course, and we chose the latter because it had a more substantial menu. It consisted of a total of 8 courses, and the fact that each dish had a story made it special.

First, we were served dried jujube snacks and pumpkin pancakes as appetizers. The crispy texture and natural sweetness whetted our appetite. As a welcome dish, we were served a drink made from ground ginseng and yam, along with plums.

The Perfection of Each Course Dish

The Gujeolpan was truly impressive. It involved wrapping 8 different ingredients in a wheat pancake, and the vibrant colors and distinct flavors of each ingredient made it fun. It was a taste of the essence of traditional royal cuisine.

The next dish, the King Scallop Sauté, was visually appealing and tasted clean. As someone who loves seafood, it was a refreshing taste that suited me perfectly. The soft-boiled egg and pine nut porridge were a bit rich, which might be divisive, but when eaten with the fermented steamed bun, it wasn't bad.

The grilled golden tilefish was truly delicious! The fish was perfectly seasoned and tenderly grilled, and the crispy cauliflower on top added an interesting texture. It was pleasantly mild without any fishy taste.

The Highlight of the Main Dish

We added the braised short ribs as a main dish (an additional 60,000 KRW). Initially, the extra charge seemed burdensome, but after tasting it, it was definitely worth it. The meat was so tender that it fell apart with a chopstick, and the seasoning was just right, melting in the mouth.

The grilled bulgogi included in the basic course was a bit small in portion, but the quality of the meat was excellent. The subtle charcoal aroma and the sweet taste unique to Korean beef were exquisite.

Conclusion and Dessert

For the rice dish, we chose the abalone bibimbap in a stone pot. The abalone was plump and fresh, and the savory taste of the stone pot rice was perfect for concluding the course. Scraping and eating the scorched rice made it very satisfying.

The dessert consisted of omija sherbet and traditional Korean sweets, and the refreshing omija flavor nicely cleansed the palate after the rich course meal.

Price and Value Evaluation

The lunch course was 195,000 KRW, and with the additional braised short ribs at 60,000 KRW, the total came to 255,000 KRW. Initially, it seemed expensive, but considering the perfection of each dish, the service, and the view of Namsan Tower, it didn't feel bad. It was more than satisfactory for a special occasion.

Visiting Tips and Precautions

Reservations are a must! You can reserve up to 2 months in advance, and if you want a window seat, it's better to book even earlier. We booked 2 weeks in advance, but the window seats were already fully booked.

Nearby Places to Visit

Since Shilla Hotel is located in Jangchung-dong, it's nice to take a walk in Namsan Park after the meal. If the weather is good, I recommend going up to Namsan Tower to see the night view of Seoul. It's also close to Dongdaemun and Myeongdong, making it a great location for shopping.

Honest Overall Assessment

It was an experience of elegant Korean cuisine befitting the Michelin 2-star title. Not all dishes were perfect, but the attempt to reinterpret traditional Korean cuisine in a modern way was impressive, and above all, the service was truly excellent.

It's a place I highly recommend for commemorating a special day. Next time, I want to try the dinner course as well. It was a day that made me proud because my mom was so satisfied!