Sunda Opens in Detroit
Detroit's dining scene welcomes Sunda, a new Southeast Asian restaurant in downtown. The spot is described as a "pan-Asian wonderland" bringing together flavors from across the region in a vibrant, modern setting — seen as a major milestone for Detroit's culinary resurgence.
The restaurant is the creation of Billy Dec, a Filipino-American entrepreneur, actor, and two-time Emmy Award-winning TV personality. Dec was inspired by decades of travel throughout Southeast Asia to visit family, and the Sunda concept is a personal mission to share the culinary experiences he grew up with. Sunda Detroit officially opens its doors at 7 p.m. on March 10th at 33 W. Columbia St. The location is part of The District Detroit's pedestrian-friendly walkway situated between the Fox Theatre and Little Caesars World Headquarters. This marks the fifth Sunda New Asian location, joining two in Chicago, where the concept was founded in 2009, as well as restaurants in Nashville and Tampa. Dec noted that for years, the Chicago locations have received a lot of support from Michigan guests, which inspired the expansion to their hometown. The kitchen is led by Culinary Director Mike Morales, who is from Pampanga in the Philippines, and Head Sushi Chef Ise Matsunobu, a Tokyo native. Diners can expect signature dishes from the original Chicago menu, such as Oxtail Potstickers, Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice, and Miso Glazed Sea Bass. The 6,000-square-foot space was designed by Studio K with local firms McIntosh Poris Associates and Sachse Construction. It features a design blending Tokyo street style with Southeast Asian craftsmanship and includes a 1,400-square-foot patio. Over the years, the Sunda brand has attracted a notable celebrity clientele, including figures like Michelle Obama, Lady Gaga, Michael Jordan, and Barbra Streisand.
