Sunn's has been on my list for several months and I am happy to report that it completely lived up to my expectations. The restaurants is tucked away in a quiet Chinatown street. The space is small, cozy, and intimate. So small, in fact, that the vapors from the open kitchen condense over the front windows, giving it the most perfect warm feel for the cold winter days. Getting a reservation ahead of time is quite essential since space is very limited but not too difficult to do if you get on OpenTable when they get release them. The hostess was very warm and welcoming. Our waiter was incredibly helpful! He gave us tips on how much to order (honest opinions and based off on observations from other groups), as well as proving us a very similar price and flavor profile alternative to a bottle of wine we had ordered but that ran out. He also was very available without being overbearing or making us feel rushed. His recommendations were all on point since we left perfectly full. We got a bottle of Riesling which was absolutely delicious and refreshing (the alternative our waiter had recommended!) For food between two we split:
- Hwe: perfectly refreshing and bright starter. The fish was cold, had a tangy/ citrus flavor. It had a super lean cut that was well balanced by the pickled and spicy elements from the mushroom and gochujang. Amazing mix of umami and spice! Had more fish than I excepted for an appetizer which was a pleasant surprise.
- Banchan of the day: okay, so one of the stars of the show! I absolutely loved all of them but highlights were the kimchi (best kimchi I've had), the eggplant dish, as well as the potato salad. It was evident they used incredibly high quality ingredients and the quantity is generous when you split with another person. Very filling and flavorful.
- Ssam: another amazing dish... my mouth still waters at the thought. Tender brisket, with an umami and caramelized glaze that paired nicely with the fermented ssamjang. The cool and fresh lettuce was the perfect pairing to wrap this in to balance out some of the hot and umami flavors. We also used some of the rice that came with our Banchan to eat this with. Rich, comforting, but not too heavy. 11/10!
- Tteokbokki: the reason I wanted to come here initially. This was a work of art. The tteokbokki came out steaming hot, and had a chewy texture. The gochujang sauce was spicy but sweet which perfectly contrasted the salty melted cheese which was burnt in some areas and had a nice crisp to it. Absolutely delicious! The onions on top were also amazing and added a little tangy sweetness which really tied all the flavors together (by no means remove the onions). Another hit!
- Sesame mochi cake: after one bite, this climbed up my list of favorite desserts in the city. Chewy, buttery, nutty, and not too sweet. It is the perfect dessert in my eyes. The mochi texture was exquisite, and the crunchy sesame seeds as well as the soybean powder added an earthy, roasted, and nutty essence to this that really deepened the flavors. I would come back exclusively for this.
Overall, I really enjoyed my dinner at Sunn's and have no doubt I want to come back in the future. The menu is small but everything is executed to perfection. You can tell they pour their hearts into the food; the care, the tradition, the presentation, the ingredients... all are exceptional. I appreciated the honesty, practicality, and warmth of the service. It made it feel like a very down-to-Earth establishment. The ambiance is super cute and perfect for a date. I highly recommend you try this place if you have the chance. Thanks for the amazing meal! read more