Zaya 1943 Korean Steakhouse

Dining at Zaya 1943 Korean Steakhouse was an experience that went beyond just enjoying a meal; it was a culinary journey that delighted all the senses. From the moment we stepped inside, we were greeted with warm hospitality that made us feel both valued and welcomed. The ambiance struck the perfect balance between elegance and comfort, setting the stage for a memorable dining experience. The menu at Zaya 1943 Korean Steakhouse was a testament to the art of Korean cuisine, offering an exquisite selection of dishes that showcased the rich flavors and culinary traditions of Korea. Each dish was prepared with meticulous attention to detail, using only the finest ingredients to ensure the highest quality and taste. The highlight of our meal was undoubtedly the Korean steak, which was cooked to perfection. The steak was tender, juicy, and full of flavor, melting in our mouths with each bite. It was clear that the chefs at Zaya 1943 Korean Steakhouse are masters of their craft, with a deep understanding of how to bring out the best in each ingredient. In addition to the exceptional food, the service at Zaya 1943 Korean Steakhouse was impeccable. The staff was knowledgeable, attentive, and always ready to go the extra mile to ensure

The food here was surprisingly really good considering that this is Chattanooga. Only down side was that the food was a bit salty. The service was excellent and the atmosphere inside was intimate for a romantic date night to a family celebration. It is very authentic and I have very much enjoyed the dining experience here and would definitely come back again.

Amazing dining experience. Food and service both excellent. Thanks Tad for an awesome birthday celebration for my daughter.

I was so surprised to come across a Korean steakhouse in Chattanooga. I had such a great experience here! The ambiance was lovely, the service was wonderful (one of the best I've experienced in a while), and there wasn't anything I ate here that I didn't love. I mean, the food was so delicious that we dined here two days in a row! On the first night, we ordered Spicy Pork Ssam and Zaya's Butcher's Feast, which came with eight side dishes and Kimchi Stew. All the meat was so juicy and the wide arrangement of side dishes was amazing! I tried the Dol-Sot Bibimbap on the second day. The ingredients were fresh and the overall entree was delicious! My partner ordered Mandu-Guk, per our waiter's suggestion, and he enjoyed it very much! Zaya was definitely the best place we ate at during our time in Chattanooga!

We sat at the bar and Joseph, the bartender, was amazing. Just watching him handle all the drinks and our food was like watching a ballet! The food was some of the best things I have ever eaten. So. Good.

100% delish. Great wait staff. Good quality. We enjoyed all around. We took family members there too and they seemed to like it. We r returning on the 21st with more friends. Thank Y'all keep up the good work.

Oh lord where do I begin? This place had been calling my name for so very long and I finally got a group to experience it with me and wow what an experience it was! The food feels as if it's endless at some points and the small dishes they bring out are truly that. Everything you try is something new and exciting! We got the Zaya feast and the main cuts of meat were delicious! I loved the Denver cut, never had it before and always wanted to try one, it did not disappoint. Nothing disappointed and our evening was just so much fun. Our sever was so sweet as she helped us cook and prep the meal while having to listen to our outlandish conversations. I will definitely be back and hopefully drag a couple friends along because it was such a fun and filling time.

Ambiance was amazing! Definitely a date night or big friend group vibe. Dimly lit. We were seated fairly quickly. We had a reservation but since this place is new, you'll get seated almost immediately. The server went over entire menu and made it clear how everything worked. Usually they will cook food for you but you can request to cook meat yourself for the full kbbq experience. I love the fact that this is an upscale version of kbbq with notable aged high end meats including wagyu. For a party of 2 we spent about $50 per person with additional sides and apps and drinks...bill totaled $190 Would definitely come here again! Loved it and I imagine around dinner time that the place would be even more packed and fun. Staff were great and attentive. Bathroom was clean!

The food is amazing at Zaya. Well crafted appetizers and excellent quality meats. Our waiter was attentive and helpful. Couldn't have asked for a nicer place to have a business dinner.

Food was amazing! Service wonderful. We ordered the wagyu feast and for the price it was worth it. Can't find wagyu of that quality and price anywhere else. Will definitely be coming back.

My wife and I took a chance on going to Zaya for a big wedding anniversary dinner and we weren't disappointed. Our waitress was very professional and did a great job of waiting on our table and grilling our food. The ambiance is great for special occasions and/or for a double date with another couple. Price is really steep for two people, but it looked like if you have two couples sharing one of their feasts, then maybe the value is better. Regardless, be ready to spend about $100 per person for dinner and drinks. Would I go again? Maybe with another couple for a unique dining experience, but St. Johns would have been cheaper.

We came for our anniversary and this was our first visit. There was a bit of a delay in getting seated despite having reservations but once seated staff was friendly and apologetic. I believe the manager stopped by with complimentary appetizer for our wait. Food was delicious and the ambiance was great.

The good tasted incredible and we had amazing service from Hunter. I highly recommend this place especially after some hiking. Can't recommend it enough.

This place is so good! We had the best service and the food was so good. McKinley was our server and she was fantastic. Her recommendations were spot on. We went with her suggestions for an appetizer, cocktails, what temp to cook the meats, and what to pair with what in the meal. She did was right on all counts. We will definitely be back, and we'll ask for her section.

Awesome dining experience! After the previous 3 yrs or so, my priorities have changed when going out to eat. For me, now service is #1and food #2; Zaya delivered plus on both. Korean cusine is new to me so I asked for suggestions and was pleased with the knowledge and friendliness of my Grill Chef. (not sure of the proper title). My glass was never more than half empty and as soon as I set a dish aside, it disappeared. I will be back!

This is an absolute must for meat lovers. Yes, be prepared to spend a pretty penny. BUT! The meat quality and the service is beyond worth it. Starters: You HAVE to get the ribeye jalapeño poppers. The meat is so decadent and the jalapeño balances it out with its texture and freshness. Absolutely delicious morsels. The seafood pancake was tender and seafood-y but it's definitely traditional Korean flavors so it may be too bland/seafood-y for some patrons. We personally loved it, especially with some kimchi. Mains: We got the butcher's feast and added Australian wagyu a la carte. I've visited many steakhouses, and I can confidently say Zaya has the *best* beef in TN. Everything was tender, juicy, and beefy. A little salt, a little sesame oil, and you have the perfect bite. We got the dry aged ribeye, zaya steak, marinated short rib galbi, NY strip, and the Australian wagyu. Our favorites were the zaya steak (beefiest tasting) and the Australian wagyu (most tender and flavorful). Sides: the ban chan was really good! Our favorites were the kimchi (spicier than what's served at most Korean bbq), the potato salad, sweet glazed potatoes, and the burdock root. We also ordered the cheesy corn and egg soufflé. The cheesy corn isn't what I expected (it's normally with mozzarella and Mayo) but it was still good - just wish it had more of a melty cheesy quality instead of the fancier cheese. The egg soufflé is also not typical, it tastes more like Vietnamese scrambled eggs than traditional Korean egg soufflé but it's still a treat. Service: from the front of house to our amazing server Binh, I could not have asked for better service. Everyone was kind, attentive, and actually seemed to enjoy working here. Ambiance: Beautiful restaurant with a greenery wall, multiple hanging decors, and a large dry aging room. The lights are very moody so you may get a little sleepy if you're full of meat. I would highly recommend for a special date night upstairs, or you can come for a more casual bbq night if you eat downstairs.

The food was all prepared exceptionally well. Everything was perfectly seasoned and steak was phenomenal. Loved all the sides. Perfect date night.

This place was so unexpected in Chattanooga, but such a fantastic experience and amazingly delicious food. I love Korean BBQ, and I love aged and really good cuts of meat, and this exceeded all expectations. The banchan (Korean side dishes) were delicious and plentiful. And the meat was excellent and our waiter cooked all of it for us, which is really great service, but not typical for most Korean BBQ places. We had one of the most perfect Korean BBQ meals that I have ever had. This place is pricey, but I think it was worth every penny.

Absolutely amazing! Service was awesome, and the food was immaculate. 10/10 would recommend.

Atmosphere was interesting. Fusion - is all I can call it. Red lighting with Christmas-like decor on the stair railing, jazz music and simple/romantic settings. The waiters seemed all over the place bouncing from table to table. Wasn't ever sure who our "waiter" was. Food was very good. They cooked it for you, which was fine but that meant they had to stand there most of the time. If you're looking for romantic time- might not be the best option. BUT, overall I was happy.

What a great experience and I drive 2 hours just to eat here. I live Korean BBQ and this is the best Fine Dining Korean BBQ with unbelievable service. Make sure you ha e a reservation and plan 2 hours to enjoy. Great place to have a date.

My husband and I came her for our wedding anniversary. Let me tell you if we could afford to come here everyday , we definitely would! The service, staff and the food was amazing. The dry aged ribeye 100/10. I wish I could remember our servers names because she was so sweet. She recommended a dumpling sauce for the short ribs and I feel in love! This place is the perfect spot for date night. They even have a bar which always a 10/10. I wanted something different to drink so our waiter recommended a drink that they were trying out. It was called love and murder. Just in time for Valentines Day. I would give it a 8/10. It was still too sweet for my preference but it was good. We will definitely be back and with sweatpants on!

Absolutely delicious!!! A bit expensive but well worth the cost! Service was fast and professional.

Great food and service. Lunch menu is an affordable way to try the restaurant out. Dinner is expensive.

My wife and I have eaten at a lot of Korean BBQ in our lives and by far this was the best experience. Incredible service matched only by how delicious the food was, cannot recommend enough

My fiancé and I went to Zaya last night for Valentine's Day. We had never been there before, but I was excited to try it. The ambiance is great for a date. The interior is modern with some hints of Korean culture. Our server, Binh, was awesome! For Valentine's Day they had a special feast offering and so we had the Valentine's Day feast. The feast even came with a rose but I forgot it on the table... The feast itself started with a bulgogi ssam appetizer and it had come with three sauces. This appetizer was delicious! I especially enjoyed their house sauce. It was a little spicy and very good. The other hot sauce option for me was a little too hot, but if you like spicy you'll probably love the sauce. There were also several meats (galbi, filet mignon, etc) and they all came out great. My favorites were the filet and the wagyu since I tend to prefer leaner cuts of steak. The wagyu was so beautifully marbled it didn't give me the typical fat texture that steers me away from fattier cuts. It also came with some vegetables like pineapple, cucumber, and asparagus. Lastly there was a pear ice cream. I don't like pear but it was delicious! For drinks I had the Busan Sunset and it was really nice. They also have some wine options and soju. I will absolutely be making my way back here! It's an amazing date night spot.

We went there for our 4 year anniversary dinner and made the reservation online. I have to say we are hugely disappointed in the food. First off, they cooked our food instead of like others said that we can cook our own. They DO NOT have sauces or seasonings they use for anything, just a heads up. If you like plain or have an allergy to seasonings this is your place! The salad didn't have any sauces like ranch ginger or Italian either. You get what you get. No salt and pepper on the table or available if you ask. EVERYTHING is served cold but the meats. The potatoes, green beans and fish are served almost frozen. Kinda seems like they just pulled it out of the freezer for a while and served it. Now for the look, the place looks nice and the menu looks amazing. That's what drove us an hour away to going there for our anniversary. You would think they would have something nice for you when you made a reservation online stating it was your anniversary, but sadly no. They even tried to seat us at a table with a bunch of other people we didn't know stating they would be leaving soon! I had to say we were going to leave if they did that when there was more than half the restaurant open with clear and clean tables. Trying to sit us at a table where other are at, come on guys... they weren't even done with their meal! If you want a to go drink you get a kids cup! I had to laugh at this one. For the price of this meal, seriously. Definitely NOT worth the money in any way. They are not authentic Korean food. Guess this is another business that will go under soon. Just sucks we waisted our anniversary going here.

Atmosphere was beautiful and elevated. We ordered the Australian Wagyu Strip and the BBQ Feast (marinated short ribs, zaya steak, dry aged strip and dry age ribeye) Egg Soufflé. Seamless service by Bryan who served us perfectly cooked quality meat, was knowledgeable about the restaurant and overall great. Would definitely recommend for a higher end date night or celebration!

As an out of towner this place is the move if your looking for a bit more upscale Korean dinning experience. Fantastic steak dinner with all the sides to take on!!

We ordered the butcher box. The meat was delicious. The service was excellent. I'm gluten free and could only have two of the sides. They were unwilling or unable to make accommodations. The ambiance was nice.

I had an overall amazing dining experience at Zaya. Service was phenomenal from the moment we walked in. Our server, Cassidy, was great. The food surpassed all my expectations - we ordered the butchers feast and especially loved the prawns, marinated golbi with pineapple, and all the banchan. We split a kettle of the house soju and it was delicious. The complimentary dessert was the cherry on top of a lovely dinner. Will definitely be back!

I am extremely disappointed as I came back for the third time. There were many new additions that immediately caught my attention (some good/some bad). The presentation and plating of the feast were significantly better with the side dishes placed in tune with the board of meat. I'd like to think the taste improved as well. First two visits, the greet at the door exuded energy of hospitality. Service on the floor was very upscale and welcoming. High energy and staff was courteous but very personable. Engagement and professionalism at its finest. Not this time. It seemed like staff was poorly trained and amateurish. Will not go into details but orders were forgotten and was not cared for consistently throughout the night. We were a party so gratuity was already included which I recognize. But if you expect customers to pay a fat check, it is only fair I expect service that matches your price points. Hopefully serious reevaluation takes place because I won't be coming back to last night's service again.

We had a great experience. The staff and food was wonderful. Took my sister and brother-in-law there for their birthdays and they enjoyed it.

One of the best, if not the best steaks in Chattanooga. We went with the pick four and the Australian Wagyu, very pleased with both. Our server was very knowledgeable of all the cuts of meat. The price is very fair for the quality and experience you receive.

Zaya does everything well. The servers are welcoming and accommodating, instructing as your meal progresses. It's as if they want you to be as well informed about their process as they are... fine by me, I'm happy to play Padawan to a steak Jedi! Steaks are aged onsite and every cut is prepped to meet knife and fire, just the way you like it. Banchan (side dishes) are seasonal and intriguing - especially loved the marinated potatoes. The interior has an intimate feel, even if your group is large. A wonderful addition to the Chattanooga scene for a special dining experience.

I've eaten at premium KBBQ places in NYC, LA, and Seattle and Zaya is right up there with them all. Meat quality is great. Portions are decent-good. Service is attentive, though I would say maybe the staff aren't as used to this kind of cuisine as they would be on the coasts. The manager is very nice and knowledgeable; he was very helpful in both occasions I came with both a small and larger group. The star of the show, in my opinion, is actually the ban chan (sides). They are authentic and very tasty. You get like a dozen with any of the set menus. They refill them on request as well! I try not to fill up on them before the meat comes. In case you don't know: you're often meant to combine the ban chan, meat, and veggies into ssam; the meat should only be a small (though central) part of the meal altogether. But hey, if you can fork over the $$$ for heaping portions of prime meat, by all means. Only downside is the price, but certainly the quality makes it worth it. Definitely come for a special occasion.

Our server is absolutely amazing. The meat selection is something I didn't expect and like wow the food was good!

This is the place for special occasions. We went for a birthday and had a great time. Staff is friendly and helpful. I love that they cook the food for you so you can focus on the party. It's upscale and the drinks are great! Love the atmosphere!

Walked in without knowing what to expect, the environment is nice, it is dark with plenty of room and seeing the aging room right as you walk in is a cool exhibit. Our server was so nice and attentive, it is enjoyable cooking your own meat over the fire. The bulgogi was a massive let down, we had just a few bites of it and couldn't eat any more, and although a manager came out to speak with us about it, it was not removed from our check. The potstickers were good, especially the dipping sauce. The side of corn tasted canned which was extremely unpleasant and the rice was...rice. Nothing special. The ribeye was good but nowhere in my mind did it fetch the price they were asking ($60+), especially for the size you receive. And yes, I am fully understanding of the price in association with the quality and aging process. This quality and flavor did not meet my steak standards for that price. My recommendation: go for the atmosphere and cooking your own food, eat some potstickers.

Excellent food with a great atmosphere and attentive staff. The wife and I were in town for Christmas and had heard good things about the restaurant. We were not disappointed. The evening started off rocky when they didn't have our reservation and actually seat a couple under our name. The staff acknowledged the error and got us a table. The chef at our table explained the items on the menu and made us feel comfortable about our selections and prepared them perfectly. The drinks where very good and the endless sides were unbelievable! I will definitely return.

Amazing meal. The wagyu was phenomenal. We went for my birthday celebration, we were well taken care of and the food was great.

A phenomenal experience through t the entirety of our meal! The waiter was very knowledgeable, the drinks were flawless and the food was made with such care, delicateness and was divine. My partner and I took her best friend out for a birthday dinner and we were not disappointed. The atmosphere was very fitting and made everything mesh together very well. We will definitely be back

Great experience, personalized service, and amazing food! Expensive but definitely worth it for special occasions. Very nice atmosphere.

The best kbbq. Best Korean food in town. No contest. Butchers feast is an amazing deal, esp for the quality.

Very very impressed. I am from Atlanta, and I came to Chattanooga for a solo getaway to work on some things, and treat myself as well. As a Korean-American (who also lives in the Seoul of the South), I had very high standards for Zaya 1943 (TMI: The server told me that the restaurant name means Isaiah 43:19 (I)ZAYA and 43:19 flipped to 1943, hence Zaya 1943. Very creative!) The owners of this restaurant frequent my church back home, and people who have visited have said the place was great. For a very high-end restaurant, the location was very eh -- it was in some strip mall, but the strip mall did not look high-end or whatsoever. I'm not sure if North Shore is supposed to be the boujee part of town, but I mean, it wasn't a big deal. I was greeted by the hostess on a Tuesday evening. The restaurant was FAIRLY empty at Tuesday 8:30, and I was seated at the bar since I was dining solo. I loved how even the bar seating has an individual grill, so you can still order KBBQ. I wouldn't necessarily call this a Korean Steakhouse because more than half the meats are not of Korean origin. I do appreciate the dry age, and I was more than excited, but I don't know if I would call this place Korean BBQ. I ordered the dry aged NY strip per the server/bartender's request, the assortment of six banchans, corn cheese, and a Seoul Mule. The Seoul Mule was delightful -- Wheatly Vodka, Soju, Ginger Beer & Lime. Less sweeter than other mules, but that's why I liked it even more. It was very smooth and clean -- I ended up ordering two. I was baffled that I had to pay for banchan, but because the steak is an a la carte order, that was the rule. I didn't mind, I tried not letting anything bother me. The banchan line-up today was danmooji, pickled serrano peppers, kimchi, cucumber kimchi, bean sprouts, braised potatoes and salad. I loved the kimchi, danmooji and sala. The braised potatoes were a bit too sweet. Bean sprouts and serrano peppers were OK (but I am not a fan of bean sprouts to begin with), and I didn't not like the cucumber kimchi. For a completely non-Korean environment, these are some authentic banchans! I was very impressed -- the server was saying these are made in-house every day with a Korean chef. I was impressed. I ordered the corn cheese hoping it would come halfway through my meal, but it came out right before the meat came out -- again, no biggie. The flavor was good, but I wish it was a little sweeter. Also, I felt that there wasn't enough cheese on the corn cheese, but I love corn in general so I just ate the rest of the dish cheeseless, and it was still great! Last, but not least, the dry-aged NY strip was just absolutely perfect, cooked to a perfect medium-rare. The marbling on the meat was CRAZY, and it tasted CRAZY too. The meat was so soft and tender, and eating it with the assortment of banchans or simply just salt was perfect. I loved the grilled pineapples & mushrooms that also came out with the meal. At this point, I was thoroughly enjoying myself and ordered a Busan Sunset (Soju, Naranja, Cruzan Darek, House Cream of Coconut, House Orgeat, Lime), and it was the perfect end to a night! I don't know if I will be back in Chattanooga for a while, but I know where to come to whenever I visit. Yes, it is expensive, but I was well-served by my server with GREAT food, and it was just a proud moment as a Korean-American to see a KBBQ restaurant at a town with virtually minimal Koreans.

We love this restaurant! The food and service were very good and we had a good time using the table-top grill. Lots of great tasting sides too. It is pretty expensive, but we certainly felt we got our money's worth. We'll be back!

We had the pleasure of coming here for a perfect Anniversary dinner! Behn, David, and Jocelyn definitely made sure of it!! We ate SO MUCH, learned some cool things about Korean culture, and made some new friends! Atmosphere: very cool vibe. The bar is open and very chic causal. When you walk to the dining area, you can see where the meat is aged and is complimented with a large plant wall! The dining area is intimate but doesn't limit you to just romantic dinners. I would definitely bring my girlfriends here or have a family meal! Service: Our server was Behn and server assistance was Jocelyn. Both really made us feel welcome and explained the menu to us. This was our first experience at a Korean Steakhouse. Some people may also call it Korean BBQ. I would consider this a huge step up from what I know as BBQ. Regardless, Behn made our decisions easy and also made some recommendations. The manager, David, offered to help us with cooking the meat. As I said, this was our first time and really didn't know what to do. After his demonstration, I feel confident that we can do it pretty easy! Food: We started off with a appetizer because we were starving. We got the Spicy Pork Ssam. It is pork wrapped in cabbage that has a very sweet/spicy dipping sauce. It was a perfect portion for two people. Next, my husband and I got one of their feasts. The Bul-Fire. I would highly recommend choosing one of these as a new comer to get the full experience. These feasts come with salad, soy bean soup (this is similar to a miso soup but so much flavor), and all different sides. The sides we had were Korean potato salad, braised potatoes, kimchi, and various other pickled style vegetables. With the feast, these sides are unlimited!!!! It can feed 2-4 people! The meat!! Ours came with dry aged ribeye, top sirloin, and galbi! All were delicious! The table grill heats to 400 degrees and everything was pretty simple to operate. We are grateful that David helped show us the ropes and spent some time talking with us about the restaurant as well as Korean culture. It is hard to not give them 5 starts because everything adds up to a perfect evening!! I did forget to mention that we had reservations and I would highly recommend having a reservation as the restaurant quickly filled up upon opening.

SO GOOD. My boyfriend took us to celebrate our anniversary on valentines and they came out with there variety of cuts and types of meat. Each one they cooked was progressively better than the last, by the end the meat melted in your mouth like butter.

The food was absolutely delicious!! We did the Butcher's Feast and I definitely recommend that to try everything. The sides were unlimited and you get to choose 4 meats to be cooked right in front of you. It was more than enough to eat for two people. Also the dessert tea was delicious. Our server was so nice and and everyone there was super attentive. The lighting and overall vibe was awesome. I definitely recommend this place if you want to try something new. Some of the best food I've ever had! I can't wait to come back!

Okay, if you are in the area this is an absolute MUST! We had the Zaya Feast for two and it was more than enough to share. Our chef was Wazir and he did a phenomenal job entertaining and cooking for us. We will be back most definitely, thank you so much for a wonderful experience!