Restaurant GIWA serves a curated selection of authentic Korean dishes that bridge traditional preparation with a modern, contemporary aesthetic. Diners encounter plates centered on balanced flavor profiles, featuring essential staples like seasoned banchan, flame-grilled meats, and hearty fermented stews. The kitchen prioritizes precise heat application and high-quality ingredients to maintain the integrity of classic recipes within a streamlined, polished environment. Every composition on the menu reflects a commitment to cultural authenticity while presenting the food through a cleaner, more minimalist lens. The space focuses on efficiency and clarity, allowing the vibrant colors and bold textures of the primary proteins and pickled vegetables to define the sensory experience. This approach provides a focused exploration of Korean culinary fundamentals for those seeking consistent quality and standard-setting techniques in their meal.
Restaurant GIWA is widely regarded as an exceptional dining destination in Montreal, celebrated for its thoughtful, authentic approach to Korean cuisine that transcends typical expectations. Guests consistently praise the high quality of the food, noting that the seasonal menu is both creative and meticulously prepared, with standout dishes like the sotbap, Korean fried chicken, and unique fusion desserts receiving frequent acclaim. While the menu is intentionally concise, this focus on quality and technique is highly valued, and the presentation of each meal is frequently described as beautiful and elegant. The staff is consistently highlighted for being friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable, often taking the time to explain the ingredients and traditional methods to diners. Although the restaurant is occasionally noted for being on the pricier side or having a small, intimate layout, the overwhelming majority of visitors find the experience to be well worth the cost, recommending it as a must-try gem for anyone seeking a sophisticated and memorable meal.
Je fréquente le restaurant Giwa très régulièrement & c'est à chaque fois un pur bonheur. Si vous cherchez une cuisine coréenne authentique, réconfortante & pleine de saveurs, vous êtes exactement au bon endroit.
J'apprécie particulièrement le parti pris de la carte : ici, pas de menu à rallonge, mais une sélection resserrée où absolument tout est maîtrisé & délicieux. C'est le signe d'une vraie fraîcheur & d'un savoir-faire incontestable.
Mention spéciale pour les desserts, qui sont tout simplement succulents !
Un établissement coup de coeur que je recommande les yeux fermés à tous les épicuriens & amoureux de la cuisine coréenne.
I've been numerous times to Giwa in the past year & I never leave disappointed. The food is truly excellent. They are always offer additional seasonal menus. For example, this summer, we really enjoyed their dwaeji galbi. Also, they had a tasting menu during New Year, which was fantastic. Don't forget to try their desserts! The service is good, they always give descriptions of each meal. The staff is very friendly.
I have no pictures of the food & the vibe of the place, but trust when I tell you this restaurant is a must! 💯
The service was good, the food tasted authentic & delicious, & the portions were perfect for us! Don't go there expecting oversized North American portions. But you'll definitely leave feeling full & satisfied.
We had 2 appetizers (seaweed rolls & fried chicken), & we had the braised short ribs for our main. It came with rice, radish, & kimchi on the side.
FYI, the kimchi was fire! Loved it 😋
We were way too full to order a dessert, but we'll be back!
Première visite & j'ai vraiment aimé l'expérience. Ce fut mon introduction à la nourriture coréenne & j'ai été rapidement conquise. Nous avons débuté par le tartare de boeuf en entrée, suivi du SOT-BAQ au poisson & des nouilles au boeuf. J'anticipais un peu que ce soit trop piquant pour moi, qui trouve la sriracha presque too much, mais finalement le niveau de piquant était très tolérable.
Pour terminer, nous avons pris le Hodomaru, un délicieux dessert chocolaté présenté avec beaucoup d'élégance & énormément de saveur. Le tout accompagné d'une tisane à l'orge très réconfortante.
Le service était sympathique & convivial. On pouvait vraiment sentir que le serveur était fier de présenter les plats de son pays d'origine, avec toutes leurs saveurs & leur complexité.
Le seul point à améliorer serait, selon moi, la carte des vins, qui ne comporte que deux ou trois choix au verre, pas très intéressants. Autrement, tout était parfait ! Merci!
A Korean gem to have in Montreal! If there's one thing to emphasize it's their showcasing Korean ingredients & flavours not found elsewhere: omija in a cocktail, mugwort in their tiramisu dessert, marinated egg yolks for the rice dishes, perilla oil ice cream! The menu is small & well thought out, every dish showcases strong elements of Korean favourites & has great variety. The sot-bap (rice dishes) are beautifully presented & come with tasty banchan. The gimbap is airy, crunchy & packed with flavour. The fried chicken is a MUST, the smoked Gouda foam sends it through the roof. & do ask what the chef's dessert is because he's always coming up with a creative combo of Korean ingredients. Sharing some pictures from their holiday special set menu, features regular menu items but in a smaller format for this special menu.
Made a reservation here for someone who loves Korean food on their birthday; the food was surely the highlight of our night. Each meal was served with sides, & you could clearly see the chef's creativity shine through with the unusual ingredients they chose for their dishes; they all complemented each other perfectly well, each bite tasting different. The Giwa was perhaps one of the best desserts I've been served since a very long time: with matcha mousse, chocolate & vanilla ice cream hiding a biscuit cake underneath it all. All in all, I would go back without a hesitation.
