Review · Restaurant · Modern Korean
Giwa, Verdun
A modern Korean kitchen on Promenade Wellington in Verdun, serving carefully plated classics with a fermentation-led twist.
By Victor · Published August 26, 2026 · Checked September 2026
Is Giwa worth it?
Depends on the nightPretty plates and clean technique, but the flavours play it safe
The plating is genuinely lovely and the technique shows. What you should know before booking is that the flavours lean refined rather than loud. If you're chasing heat, funk or punch you'll wish it went harder. If you want a relaxed dinner with careful plating, it works. Take the terrasse when the weather allows.
The essentials
Our take
Depends on the night- Cuisine
- Modern Korean
- Neighbourhood
- Verdun
- Per person
- ~$90
- Can you talk?
- Yes, easily
- Booking
- Walk in
- Allow
- 1.5 to 2 hours
- Hours
- Wed to Sat 17:00 to 22:00, Sun to 21:00, closed Mon and Tue
- Address
- 3780 rue Wellington, Verdun, QC H4G 1V2
- @restaurant_giwa
- Disclosure
- Paid
Good for
First date
Ideal
Relaxed, easy to talk, and the terrasse is pleasant in good weather.
Casual midweek
Ideal
Walk-ins are easy, the room is unfussy, and you can be out in ninety minutes.
Double date
Works, with a caveat
Sharing works well here, but portions are small enough that four people need to order wide.
Impressing a cook
Works, with a caveat
The plating and technique do the work. Someone hunting for bold Korean flavour will be underwhelmed.
Anniversary
Not the one
More cute and casual than big occasion, unless you're specifically craving Korean.
Late night
Works, with a caveat
The kitchen shuts at 22:00, 21:00 on Sunday, so a late table means two dishes and a drink rather than settling in.
The room
Inside it feels like a casual Korean restaurant: welcoming, straightforward and not trying to be fine dining. The room is easy for conversation.
We sat on the terrasse and didn't get a full look at the interior. If the weather is good, do the same. Lighting outside is whatever the evening gives you; inside it's casual and warm. Noise sits low to medium, more neighbourhood dinner than party room.
What to drink at Giwa
The list has interesting choices without being the reason to come.
To start
The somaek
Fresh soju and Origine lager. Crisp, clean and light.
With the meal
The omija
Gin, five-flavour berry syrup, lemon. Bright, fruity-tart, very easy to drink.
One drink each at the start, then water or tea, is enough. Nothing on the list stood out to me, so I would spend the extra money on food.
What to order at Giwa
Order in layers. For two: two appetisers, one dish from the main menu, one from the seasonal menu, one sot bap, then dessert.
Sot bap
Order thisI didn't order it and I should have. It's their specialty and it won the Korean Festival bibimbap competition in 2026, judged by Edward Lee. That's a strong enough hint.
Gimbap
Order thisSeaweed roll with the fish of the moment, cucumber, avocado and a gochujang vinaigrette. Fresh, lightly sweet, gently spicy, very clean. A good first bite and easy to share.
Yukhwe
Order thisBeef tartare with pear, sesame, soy and egg yolk, finished with nasturtium. Sweet-salty and silky, with juicy pear cutting through and real savoury depth.
Hodumaru
Order thisRich gochujang chocolate mousse with chilli-spiked chantilly, candied walnuts and maple ice cream. Chocolate forward with a warm chilli tingle. Best dessert of the three.
Baechu
Worth itCharred napa cabbage glazed with doenjang over perilla cream, with cucumber and herbs. Smoky-sweet, savoury funk, cooling herbal finish.
Basque corn cheesecake
Worth itTorched corn and corn ice cream, creamy and toasty. The popcorn topping tasted stale.
Haemul jang
SkipSoy-marinated crab, shrimp, octopus and salmon with seaweed and egg yolk. Briny-sweet and glossy, but the seaweed crisp wasn't crisp and for the price the flavour stayed uniform and soy-heavy. Tempting, worth trying once, but I wouldn't reorder.
Doenjang crème brûlée
SkipSweet and salty with a fermented edge. Cleanly made, not my thing.
How much does dinner at Giwa cost?
About $90 per person, based on our meal.
- Dishes
- $10 to $20 each
- Drinks
- one round each
- Per person, as we did it
- ~$90
Skip the second round and add another dish to share instead. The total should be similar.
My note on Giwa
Victor · after one visit · paid our way
The part that is just my opinion
The cooking is clean and the plates are pretty, but the flavour intensity is dialled back. A couple of elements tasted prepped too far ahead, the seaweed crisp and the popcorn. If you're expecting the louder Korean profile, this isn't it.
Victor
Been recently and I got something wrong? Tell me and I will fix the page and say so in an update.
Before or after dinner
What to do before or after dinner in Verdun
Close by, for before or after.
Activities and Sports
Plage urbaine de Verdun
Before · behind the Auditorium · Free · 13 June to 30 August
The only supervised river swim on the island. Call 514-280-0789 the day you go.
Arts and Culture
Quai 5160
Before or after · 800 m · Free to low
The 1970 arena cut open onto the riverside promenade. Closed Mondays.
Games and Entertainment
Auditorium de Verdun
After · same boulevard · varies
The restored 1939 room. Note the works running to January 2027.
Nature and Scenic
Domaine Saint-Paul
Before · REM to Île-des-Sœurs · Free
Twenty-six hectares of protected woodland. No dogs, no bikes.
Social and Romantic
Promenade Wellington
After · at the door · Free
The strip Giwa sits on.
The whole evening, planned
Every date spot in Verdun, sorted by category and by season.
Before you book
How far ahead do I need to book?
Not necessary. Walk-ins are easy. Worth calling for a terrasse table on a good evening.