Sunda Chicago announced a lineup of special menus and events in celebration of the restaurant’s 10-year anniversary. Owner Billy Dec, Chef/Partner Michael Morales, and the Sunda Family invite guests to celebrate a decade of success with a Greatest Hits Menu, a Southeast Asian “Night Market”-themed party, and the experiential Sunda Sessions.
The Chicago staple draws menu inspiration in part from Dec’s travels in Southeast Asia, including trips to visit family in his mother’s native Philippines. During the month-long celebration, guests can sample the cuisine that defined the restaurant’s first 10 years while exploring what’s next for the River North hot spot.
SUNDA ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS:
May 1-May 31: Sunda’s Greatest Hits
Throughout the month of May, guests can flashback to Sunda’s beginnings with a special culinary and cocktail menu featuring the return of some of Sunda’s greatest dishes from the last decade.
Week One
Sushi Bar: Firecracker Maki, Salmon Sashimi Bundles
From the Kitchen: Prawn Rangoon, Malay-Style Chilean Seabass
Cocktail: Toasted Ginger Snap
Week Two
Sushi Bar: Golden Child Maki, Crab Cake-Crusted Tuna
From the Kitchen: Roasted Duck Hash, Wild Asian Mushroom and Asparagus Toban
Cocktail: Blushing Geisha
Week Three
Sushi Bar: “No You Didn’t” The Ultimate Handroll; “Toast and Jam” featuring crispy shrimp toast and spicy tuna
From the Kitchen: Bang! Bang! Papaya Salad, “Shaking” Beef with greens
Cocktail: Negroni
Week Four
Sushi Bar: Truffled Tataki Sashimi featuring wagyu, tuna or salmon
From the Kitchen: Indo Corn Fritters, Char Sui BBQ Pork
Cocktail: House of Bamboo
Friday, May 17: Sunda Night Market
Sunda invites guests to transport to Southeast Asia for a late-night celebratory bash, beginning at 9 p.m. Inspired by the night markets of Southeast Asia, Chef Morales has created a special night market themed menu. Menu highlights include Lotus Rice with Lap Cheong, mushrooms and pork floss; an Asian-inspired “Hot Dog” topped with atchara, jufran sauce, and kewpie; Filipino Empanadas, Bibinka, and Hopia pastry, filled with ube and pandan.
Additional party elements include cultural performances, large format sake bottles, and midnight toast to the restaurant’s next chapter.
Saturday, May 18: The Sunda Sessions
An elevated take on the restaurant’s experiential culinary classes and special menu offerings, The Sunda Sessions offers guests a chance to try their hand at creating (and eating) Sunda signatures. Tickets are available at $45 per session online, with a portion of proceeds going to benefit Camp One Step by Children’s Oncology Services. The organization provides educational activities and outdoor experiences for kids and families that have been affected by cancer.
2 p.m. Sushi Rolling Class. Attendees can learn how to make their own sushi rolls using seaweed wraps, sticky rice, spicy tuna and more. Held at 2 p.m., Sunda’s award-winning chef team provides personal instruction on the delicate creation of this traditional dish while guests enjoy samplings of Japanese sake.
5 p.m. Vegan Feast. Sunda hosts a one-of-a-kind vegan dining experience for vegans and non-vegans alike. The all-vegan menu includes featured dishes like Crispy Szechuan Tofu, Vegetable Khao Soi, and more.
