Christopher D. wrote: >"Better than Shilla" (the only one of those three I've tried) isn't >saying very much, as far as I'm concerned. The report that it's better >than Koreana (which I really like) is more useful--and will make me give >it a try if & when I make it out to Burlington. Since I started this round of strongly-stated opinions, let me chime in again! The Shilla was the first Japanese/Korean restaurant I'd ever been to (and that was just before my trip to Seoul...I wanted to get somewhat of an idea of what the food was like). I still like it, but the alternatives are so much better. A caution: I liked Korean BBQ more than Koreana. Strictly my opinion. You may not (and it is hard to argue with walking distance from Inman Square). Another point for Korean BBQ: the grills in the table. I'd heard reports about the Maynard restaurant from some friends that live just down the street from there. They say it's great, but I'm not so sure they ever been to another Korean restaurant for a comparison. Even so, it's one of the few places I haven't tried (and another friend says there's some really great places out in Ayer) and I plan to someday. On the Japanese/Korean link...especially in traveling to Korea (and having a tour guide one day explain the Japanese-English they were forced to learn in school), I fully understand the occupation and the lasting effects. On the other hand, I always figured you'd find both Japanese and Korean food in the same restaurant because outside of sushi, Japanese food seems kind of boring...one can only get so excited about soba and oshinko. At least Korean food has the Northern China influence of garlic, scallions and sesame. Guy
Boston, MA