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Sunn's
Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)
Sunn's
8.6
Sunn's is a tiny Korean wine bar where chef Sunny Lee builds a constantly changing table of banchan and seasonal dishes to match a tightly curated natural wine list. The room feels intimate and quietly polished, turning a night of small plates, soju, and wine into a slow, lingering experience.
Must-Try Dishes:
Seasonal banchan selection, Daily hot dishes (like dumplings or scallops), Sesame mochi cake
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 8.7
Consistency: 8.4
Food Quality: 9
Atmosphere: 8.9
Cultural Relevance: 8.8
What makes it special: A banchan-driven Korean menu built around natural wine in an intimate, design-forward space.
Who should go: Wine-loving diners who savor slow, shareable Korean small plates
When to visit: Arrive shortly before opening to secure bar seats without a long wait
What to order: Banchan spread, a couple of hot specials, sesame mochi cake
Insider tip: Sit at the bar to watch the tiny kitchen work and use your server to build a wine flight around the food.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited in this part of Chinatown; expect to circle or use nearby paid garages on Allen or Bowery.
Dress code: Smart casual; elevated but relaxed. Most diners lean stylish due to the wine-bar vibe.
Noise level: Moderate; soft music and a compact room mean you can hold a date-night conversation without raising your voice.
Weekend wait: 45–75 minutes if you arrive after peak opening; the space is tiny and fills immediately.
Weekday lunch: Not applicable; Sunn's opens for dinner only.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Solid representation — several banchan and seasonal vegetable dishes are naturally vegetarian.
Vegan options: Limited — some banchan qualify, but most mains include butter, fish sauce, or eggs.
Gluten-free options: Moderate options; many banchan are gluten-free, but ask about soy sauce usage in marinades and dressings.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the intimate space, natural wines, and slow, shareable pacing make it ideal for conversation and creating a relaxed, refined mood.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Possibly. Arrive 10–15 minutes before opening for the best chance at bar seats; walk-ins later in the night often face long waits.
Is it kid-friendly? Not particularly — the room is small, the menu leans adult (wine-focused), and there are no kid-oriented dishes or amenities.
Best For
Better for: Intimate, wine-driven Korean dining with elevated banchan and a chef-driven seasonal menu; perfect for slower, curated evenings.
Skip if: You want large entrées, lively group energy, or budget-friendly Korean classics — other spots in the area will better fit those needs.
Sunn's
8.1
Sunn’s is chef Sunny Lee’s narrow Korean wine bar in the Chinatown–Dimes Square overlap, where banchan, salads, and a few mains are meant to be ordered in sequence at the counter. The room feels like a neighborhood hangout with serious cooking, turning a handful of plates into a freestyle chef’s-choice tasting.
Must-Try Dishes:
Seasonal banchan assortment, House Sunn’s salad with rotating produce, Warm sesame mochi or other rotating dessert
Scores:
Value: 7.9
Service: 8
Consistency: 7.8
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 6.5
Cultural Relevance: 7.9
What makes it special: A Korean natural-wine bar where the chef guides you through a banchan-driven, counter-side progression.
Who should go: Small groups or solo diners who like chef-led experiences.
When to visit: Arrive just before opening to avoid long waits at the bar.
What to order: A spread of banchan, Sunn’s salad, rotating hot dish or dessert.
Insider tip: Tell the staff your budget and let them course out a custom sequence instead of ordering all at once.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking in this part of Chinatown/Dimes Square is challenging after 6pm; no valet or nearby garage typically used. Plan for rideshare or a short walk from a paid lot on Essex or Allen.
Dress code: Smart casual; most guests lean stylish but relaxed. Jeans are fine, but many diners dress slightly elevated for the counter experience.
Noise level: Moderate; lively bar energy but still workable for conversation, especially at the counter.
Weekend wait: Expect 30–60 minutes if you’re not lined up before opening, as the room is tiny and fills immediately.
Weekday lunch: Lunch service is uncommon here; early weekday dinners usually have a shorter 10–20 minute wait if you arrive right at opening.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several banchan, salads, and vegetable-forward dishes are naturally vegetarian, though the menu changes frequently.
Vegan options: Limited — some banchan may qualify, but preparations can include fish sauce or butter; ask staff for guidance.
Gluten-free options: Moderate — many dishes are gluten-light, but soy-based sauces may contain wheat. Staff can often steer you toward gluten-friendly options.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the intimate counter, natural wine, and steady pacing of small plates create a warm, low-pressure vibe that works well for a date, as long as you’re comfortable sitting close to other diners.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — the restaurant is mostly counter seating and walk-in–friendly. Arrive 10–15 minutes before opening for the best chance at immediate seating; later arrivals may face a wait.
Is it kid-friendly? Not particularly — the room is tight, seating is counter-focused, and the menu skews adult with natural wine and small-format plates. Best for older teens rather than young children.
Best For
Better for: A casual, chef-guided Korean tasting experience with natural wine and a spontaneous sequence of dishes that feels personal and intimate.
Skip if: You want a structured formal tasting menu, guaranteed space for larger groups, or a quieter environment than a compact, buzzy wine bar can provide.
Sunn's
8.1
Sunn’s is a tiny Korean wine bar from chef Sunny Lee where banchan, salads, and a short list of mains are meant to be ordered in sequence, effectively becoming a freestyle tasting menu. The room channels Dimes Square energy with natural wine, soju, and a menu that feels personal, seasonal, and built for sharing.
Must-Try Dishes:
Banchan sampler plate with rotating seasonal sides, Sunn’s salad eaten with your hands, Baked ziti-style tteokbokki with stracciatella
Scores:
Value: 6.2
Service: 8.1
Consistency: 7.6
Food Quality: 8.4
Atmosphere: 8.6
Cultural Relevance: 7.9
What makes it special: A banchan-centered Korean menu and natural wine list that turns a handful of plates into a personalized tasting.
Who should go: Adventurous diners who love Korean flavors and natural wine.
When to visit: Arrive 15–20 minutes before doors open to snag bar seats.
What to order: Order banchan, Sunn’s salad, baked ziti-style tteokbokki, and a seasonal main.
Insider tip: The space is small; bar seats give you the best view of the open kitchen and flowing banchan.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; metered spots on Division and Canal can open up early evening but become scarce after 6pm.
Dress code: Casual but stylish; most guests lean downtown-chic with denim, boots, and simple layers.
Noise level: Moderate-to-loud; conversation is possible at the bar but table clusters get lively during peak hours.
Weekend wait: Plan for 30–50 minutes without lining up before opening.
Weekday lunch: Not applicable; dinner-only service with no lunch hours.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several banchan and seasonal salads work well for vegetarians.
Vegan options: Limited — a few vegetable plates qualify but many items use butter, eggs, or fish sauce.
Gluten-free options: Moderate — rice- and vegetable-led dishes help, but some sauces contain soy or wheat; ask staff for guidance.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the small room, bar seating, and shareable plates create an intimate setting with a bit of downtown energy that keeps the night fun rather than formal.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often, yes — walk-ins are common. Arrive 15–20 minutes before opening for the best shot at immediate seating, especially for bar spots.
Is it kid-friendly? Not ideal — the space is tight, seating is bar-heavy, and the menu skews toward adults who enjoy wine and layered Korean flavors.
Best For
Better for: A casual, freeform Korean tasting that feels personal and seasonal, paired with natural wine in an intimate downtown room.
Skip if: You want a structured, multi-course tasting menu, ample space, or a quiet room for long conversations.