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Sunda New Asian - River North
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
Sunda New Asian - River North
8.8
A long-running River North pan-Asian restaurant where a dedicated dim sum section runs alongside sushi, noodles, and Filipino-leaning plates. Locals use it for shared small plates like oxtail pot stickers and char siu ribs in a lively, see-and-be-seen room.
Must-Try Dishes:
Oxtail Pot Stickers, Char Siu Ribs, Lumpia
Scores:
Value: 7.1
Service: 8.7
Consistency: 9.2
Food Quality: 9.1
Atmosphere: 9.2
Cultural Relevance: 8.8
What makes it special: Modern Southeast Asian spot with a true dim sum section and long-running River North buzz.
Who should go: Groups and couples sharing modern dim sum and sushi.
When to visit: Prime weekend dinners or brunch for full energy and buzz.
What to order: Oxtail Pot Stickers, Char Siu Ribs, Lumpia.
Insider tip: Build a dim sum-focused meal by doubling up on oxtail pot stickers and pairing with one noodle or rice dish instead of over-ordering mains.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Valet service typically offered during dinner hours; nearby paid garages along Illinois St and State St; street parking is limited and competitive on weekends.
Dress code: Smart casual — jeans are fine, but most guests lean polished or dressy for evenings.
Noise level: Lively and loud during peak hours — conversation is possible but raised voices may be needed at larger tables.
Weekend wait: 45–75 minutes without a reservation during peak hours; bar and lounge seating may open sooner.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait or short waits, except during convention or event weeks.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Good coverage — several dim sum, noodle, and vegetable-focused options; some dishes can be made vegetarian on request.
Vegan options: Limited — a few modifiable dishes, but many sauces contain egg or fish components; confirm with server.
Gluten-free options: Several clearly identified options; some items rely on soy sauce or breading, so ask for guidance and substitutions.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the room is buzzy and stylish, which works well for a fun, energy-forward first date. It’s better for couples who enjoy a lively scene rather than a quiet, intimate setting.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes, but waits can be long on weekends. Your best bet is to arrive early, join the wait list, or take bar/lounge seating if you’re flexible.
Is it kid-friendly? Suitable for older kids and teens who enjoy shared plates and louder dining rooms; not ideal for strollers or very young children during peak dinner hours.
Best For
Better for: Trendy group dinners, celebratory nights, and modern dim sum plates served in a high-energy, see-and-be-seen setting.
Skip if: You prefer traditional cart-style dim sum, very quiet dining rooms, or strictly vegan/gluten-free menus with extensive options.
Sunda New Asian - River North
8.8
Sunda’s weekend brunch reframes Southeast and East Asian flavors into shareable plates, sushi, and dim sum-style bites with a see-and-be-seen River North dining room. It’s where groups trade pancakes for pork belly steamed buns, sushi, and long brunch cocktails without losing the indulgent, drawn-out feel of brunch.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pork Belly Steamed Buns, Crispy Rice with spicy tuna, Loco Moco or Asian-inspired brunch special
Scores:
Value: 6.9
Service: 8.3
Consistency: 8.7
Food Quality: 8.9
Atmosphere: 9.1
Cultural Relevance: 8.4
What makes it special: Pan-Asian brunch with dim sum plates and sushi in a buzzy, polished room.
Who should go: Groups swapping classic eggs for shareable Asian brunch plates.
When to visit: Prime weekend brunch hours for full room energy and pacing.
What to order: Pork belly buns, crispy rice, one sushi roll to share.
Insider tip: Build brunch like dim sum: small plates first, then one heartier main per person.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited in River North; most guests use nearby paid garages or ride-share. Valet is sometimes offered during peak weekend service — confirm when booking.
Dress code: Smart casual — brunch leans polished and stylish; jeans are fine if paired with dressy shoes or a nicer top.
Noise level: Lively and social — you can hold a conversation at most tables, but expect brunch buzz and music during peak hours.
Weekend wait: Typically N/A (brunch-focused visit), but evening seatings at the restaurant often require reservations.
Weekday lunch: Usually little to no wait outside peak convention or tourist weeks.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Good coverage — several sushi, salad, and small-plate options are vegetarian or can be prepared that way on request.
Vegan options: Limited — 2–3 viable choices depending on seasonal specials; ask staff for swaps on sauces and buns.
Gluten-free options: Yes — many sushi and protein plates can be made gluten-free; soy-sauce substitutes are available on request.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the room is upbeat and stylish without being formal, and sharing dim sum-style plates creates an easy conversational flow.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Sometimes — walk-ins are occasionally sat at the bar or during shoulder hours, but prime weekend brunch slots usually book out in advance.
Is it kid-friendly? Suitable for older kids and teens who enjoy adventurous flavors; high chairs are limited and the vibe skews adult during peak brunch.
Best For
Better for: Social, shareable brunch with Asian-influenced plates, sushi, and cocktails in a polished, see-and-be-seen setting.
Skip if: You want a quiet, traditional eggs-and-pancakes brunch or need a wide range of vegan comfort options.
Sunda New Asian - River North
8.7
Sunda New Asian is a modern Southeast Asian restaurant where many dishes are marked gluten-free, from sushi and rice dishes to shareable hot plates, making it one of River North’s most flexible higher-energy options for gluten-conscious diners.
Must-Try Dishes:
Crispy Tuna on pan-seared sushi rice (gluten-free), Crispy Wagyu on pan-seared sushi rice (gluten-free), Brussels Sprouts Salad
Scores:
Value: 6.8
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 8.7
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 8.7
Cultural Relevance: 8.4
What makes it special: Pan-Asian crowd-pleaser with clearly marked gluten-free dishes across sushi, noodles, and hot plates.
Who should go: Gluten-conscious groups wanting energetic, shareable Asian dinners.
When to visit: Prime weekend dinners or happy hour for full buzz and menu.
What to order: Crispy Tuna, Crispy Wagyu, gluten-free-marked noodles or rice dishes.
Insider tip: Flag gluten-free needs early; servers can build mostly gluten-free tasting progressions using marked items and kitchen adjustments.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No dedicated lot; street parking is scarce in River North, and most guests use nearby paid garages or rideshare. Limited valet may be available on busy evenings — confirm when booking.
Dress code: Smart casual that leans dressy on weekends; jeans are fine, but athleisure can feel underdressed during prime dinner hours.
Noise level: Lively and buzzy during peak times — conversation is possible but not quiet.
Weekend wait: Expect 45–75 minutes without a reservation; bar and lounge seating may open sooner.
Weekday lunch: Usually little to no wait, though larger groups may benefit from reserving.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several sushi, salad, and hot-plate options can be ordered vegetarian or easily modified.
Vegan options: Limited but workable — a small number of dishes can be made vegan with substitutions; confirm with your server.
Gluten-free options: Yes — many items are clearly marked gluten-free on the menu. The kitchen can guide adjustments, but it is not positioned as a fully separate, cross-contact-free prep environment.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes if you want a high-energy, trendy room with shareable plates; less ideal if you prefer a quiet, intimate setting for long conversation.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Sometimes — walk-ins are most successful early evening, late night, or on weekdays. For peak weekend times, reservations are strongly recommended.
Is it kid-friendly? Reasonable for families earlier in the evening or at brunch; there’s no dedicated kids’ menu, and the room becomes louder and more adult-oriented later at night.
Best For
Better for: Mixed-diet groups that want clearly marked gluten-free choices alongside sushi, noodles, and shareable plates in a lively, scene-driven space.
Skip if: You need a very quiet dining room, require strict celiac-level cross-contact controls, or prefer a small, chef-driven tasting format over a large, social menu.
Sunda New Asian - River North
8.7
Vibes:
Date Night Magic
Trendy Table Hotspots
Girls Night Out Approved
Birthday & Celebration Central
Sunda is a lively pan-Asian restaurant where the sushi program shares the spotlight with Southeast Asian small plates and big-format entrées. Date nights lean on dramatic rolls, crispy rice, and cocktails in a high-energy room that feels polished but still playful.
Must-Try Dishes:
Red Dragon Roll, Crispy Rice Spicy Tuna, Pork Belly Bao
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 9
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 9
Cultural Relevance: 8.6
What makes it special: Pan-Asian hotspot where sushi meets shareable, high-energy dining.
Who should go: Couples who want sushi plus bold pan-Asian plates.
When to visit: Weekend evenings for peak room energy and kitchen focus.
What to order: Red Dragon roll, crispy rice spicy tuna, pork belly bao.
Insider tip: Use the sushi bar for faster seating and chef views.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Valet most evenings and weekends; nearby paid garages within a short walk; street parking is limited and competitive after 6pm
Dress code: Smart casual leaning dressy — jeans are fine if paired with a polished top or jacket
Noise level: Lively and moderately loud — conversation is possible, but softer voices may need to lean in during peak hours
Weekend wait: 45–75 minutes without a reservation during prime hours
Weekday lunch: Typically little to no wait, depending on business traffic and events
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Good coverage — multiple sushi rolls, vegetable sides, and small plates are workable for vegetarians
Vegan options: Limited but present — a few maki and vegetable-forward dishes can be adapted; confirm sauces with staff
Gluten-free options: Several items are marked or modifiable; soy sauce alternatives available on request, but cross-contact is possible
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the energy, lighting, and sushi-forward menu create a fun, upscale vibe that works well if you’re comfortable with a buzzy room rather than a quiet, intimate setting.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Sometimes — the bar and limited walk-in tables may open up between peak seatings, but weekend evenings usually require a reservation for predictable timing.
Is it kid-friendly? Occasionally — older kids and teens are fine earlier in the evening, but the space skews adult-oriented and becomes louder and more nightlife-leaning later on.
Best For
Better for: High-energy sushi dates, shareable plates, and celebratory nights where atmosphere and presentation matter as much as the food
Skip if: You prefer a quiet omakase-style sushi bar, minimalist menus, or a low-noise environment for long conversation
Hours
Monday4pm - 10pm
Tuesday4pm - 10pm
Wednesday4pm - 10pm
Thursday4pm - 10pm
Friday4pm - 11pm
Saturday4pm - 11pm
Sunday4pm - 10pm