Allow the culinary magicians from Jung Sung to exceed your expectations of Korean dining from their dapper skyward terrace.
Discovering hidden gems in our city is how we prefer to spend our pastime. Although visiting the hottest new restaurants gives us a kick, there’s nothing like stumbling across an unassuming bar or finding a restaurant tucked away from the city hustle and bustle and being blown away. We had this experience recently within the Old Rum Store on Chippendale’s beloved Kensington Street. With a contemporary and whimsical approach to Korean dining, this restaurant should be on your bucket list.
Jung Sung swoons you from first appearances with charming place settings, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a spacious terrace that wraps around the restaurant showcasing the Sydney city skyline. The styling is modern and romantic to set the scene for what’s to come. From the moment you’re greeted by the waiters in suits, you know this isn’t going to be the Korean BBQ experience you expected.
Whet your appetite with one of Jung Sung’s signature cocktails, each perfectly blending Korean flavours and spirits with seasonal ingredients. The Curvy Bae ($22) features Hwayo Soju, dry vermouth, Korean pear syrup, sparkling wine and fresh lemon, while the Coreanus Elixir ($22) combines Bombay Gin, Bokbunja, Chambord, cranberry juice and strawberry. There’s also an impressive selection of award-winning, traditional Korean Soju if you’d like to begin your education.
Head Chef InSup Kim is at the helm of the kitchen bringing his experience from Michelin-starred restaurants in New York. Combining his Korean and Australian heritage, he brings something completely unique to the table. The menu is designed as a degustation, allowing Kim to take you on a gastronomical journey through the flavours of Korea and showcase premium Australian produce. Dishes are presented in mysterious ways with the amuse-bouche served in a wooden box amongst pebbles. Waiters pour sauces from pottery pitchers at the table and some dishes don’t taste as they appear which adds to the whole experience.
The autumn menu has just dropped and you can choose between 4 ($105pp) or 6 courses ($135pp). Signature dishes include the Moretone Bay Bay Two Ways with deconstructed Bibimbab, soy marinaded and brown butter. The mains include MB9+ Wagyu Beef with Nuruk aged ddeokgalbi, 10 years old soy, hazelnut and brown rice vinegar, and the 10 Days Dry Aged Aylesbury Duck with tomato gochujang, perilla, butternut and tangerine honey. Bridging the gap between mains and dessert is their famous Sweet Corn Custard with Denjang and soy sauce caramalised pistachio. All courses finish on a palate cleanser of Tasmania Honey and Walnut with fig, yuja and native finger lime. Each dish perfectly complements the last leaving you satisfied after each course.
With an approachable price point for a degustation menu in Sydney, Jung Sung should be at the top of your bucket list.
Located on Level 3, Old Rum Store, 2-10 Kensington St. Chippendale NSW 2008
Open for lunch Saturday & Sunday from 11:30am – 3:30pm
Open for dinner Tuesday to Sunday from 5:30pm – 10pm
Find out more here.