Sunda Opens as Detroit's Asian Wonderland
Detroit's downtown just got Sunda, a new Southeast Asian "wonderland" offering pan-Asian cuisine with innovative cocktails. The restaurant spans Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines in a high-energy, stylish space. It's earning praise for both culinary ambition and its immersive, welcoming atmosphere.
Sunda's arrival in Detroit marks the fifth location for the restaurant brand, which first opened in Chicago in 2009. The concept has since expanded to Nashville, Tampa, and a second Chicago spot in Fulton Market. Founder Billy Dec, an Emmy Award-winning TV personality and Filipino-American, was inspired by decades of travel throughout Southeast Asia to visit his family. The Detroit restaurant is located at 33 W. Columbia Street, a pedestrian-friendly walkway situated between the Fox Theatre and Little Caesars World Headquarters. The 6,000-square-foot space was designed by Studio K with local firms McIntosh Poris Associates and Sachse Construction, featuring a 1,400-square-foot patio and seating for over 200 guests. The menu is a creation of Culinary Director Mike Morales, who is from Pampanga in the Philippines, and Tokyo-native Head Sushi Chef Ise Matsunobu. Signature dishes flown in from the original Chicago location include Oxtail Potstickers, Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice, and Miso Glazed Sea Bass. A 3-pound Japanese Wagyu Tomahawk steak is also a menu highlight. Beyond the food, the bar program offers seasonally inspired craft cocktails, premium sakes, Japanese whiskies, and Asian beers. The Sunda brand has attracted a celebrity following over the years, including Michelle Obama, Lady Gaga, Michael Jordan, and Barbra Streisand. Dec is not just a restaurateur; he's a Harvard Business School alumnus who served as a Presidential appointee on the White House Advisory Commission on Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders and the White House Bullying Prevention Task Force. He is also the founder of the COACT marketing agency and HR Pro, a human resources firm.
