Suda

Healey's Laneway

550 Lonsdale St 

Melbourne 3000, VIC

It gets a bit hard to keep up with all the new and exciting restaurants popping up. Between life and writing my own blog, there’s not always enough time to trawl through news articles and blog posts. So it’s lucky that I ended up in a work place that loves good food just as much as me. So now, instead of going to the recommendations, the recommendations come to me. A recent one that caught my attention was Suda (thanks Mimi!), a Korean restaurant that does things just a little differently.

Though Asian restaurants aren’t usually known for having a focus on service, I have to say that Alice, the owner of Suda, went above and beyond. She was extra friendly and helpful, and just plain great for a chat. It gave the already cosy restaurant an extra bit of warmth and charm. Even Ethan thought so, and he’s been in the hospitality industry for the last 7 years.

Plum Mint Soju Cocktail ($6.5)

I don’t usually waste previous stomach space on drinks, but I’d make an exception for the beautiful Plum Mint Soju Cocktail ($6.5). Once stirred, the layered drink became a sparkling beverage flavoured with plum syrup and sprigs of mint, with just a hint of alcohol towards the end. 

Kimchi Fritters ($10)

The Kimchi Fritters ($10) were a great nibble to go with the drinks. Beneath the crisp exterior were juicy corn kernels and chewy diced calamari, bound with a spicy, fluffy batter.

Tteok-Galbi Skewers ($11)

Unwilling to give up on the snacks, we ordered a serve of Tteok-Galbi Skewers ($11). Marinated in a mix of apple, pineapple, and onions, the skewers of beef short rib were tender and meaty, the smokiness from the grill balanced out by the fruity sweetness in the marinade, and confit vegetables on the side. 

Chilli Seafood Spaghetti ($16)

For mains, we shared an indulgent serve of Chilli Seafood Spaghetti ($16). What that ended up being was a mixture of fresh mussels, charred prawns, and pieces of calamari in a simple tomato sauce. Standard enough, but then there was the addition of pickled chillies and a hint of wok hei. Though unusual, this was one of the most delicious pastas I’ve had for a while.

Suda is a little bit different, but quite a lot of fun.  Portion sizes were more than reasonable, and the food had some intriguing twists and turns whilst knowing its own boundaries. Definitely a gem of a find that’s good for an intimate dinner. And functions – they do those too.

Rating: 14/20 – suda visited sooner.

This rating reflects my personal experience at the time of visit.