Sun & Moon Korean Restaurant, Worli, Mumbai

Restaurant Name: Sun & Moon Korean Restaurant
Phone: 022 33126291
Address: Marathon Apartment,Near Behind Gate of Phoenix Mall, Gandhi Nagar, Dainik Shivner Marg, Upper Worli, Worli, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India 
Time: 11 am – 11 pm
Meals for two: Rs. 2,000 
Cuisines: Korean, Momos, Asian
Facilities: Home Delivery, No Alcohol Available, Lunch Menu, Group Meal, Table reservation required

Irony of delicious ironies. I’m in Seoul as I write the review of South Mumbai’s newest home style Korean eatery. Past fortnight, I’ve not only been studying, eating and filming Korean food but learning Kimchi making, too. Just before coming here, I’d dined in ‘Sun & Moon’ with the perfect foodie companions. Actor and international DJ Ashmit Patel took time off from the shooting of his films and web series to join me. Pity his gorgeous actress girlfriend Mahek Chahal (with whom he explores new restaurants) was in Dubai. Nina and PK Vasa are just back after two months in the US and dined out at the best Korean restaurants. I also spoke to a fun foodie bunch of young, SOBO regulars dining here, gourmet Aazaish Bhanji gave me his detailed expert palate opinion. Our review follows.

Sun & Moon Korean Restaurant, Worli, Mumbai: Decor

No frills. Seriously small. Boxed in. Take off your shoes before entering. A lone table (seats six), a fridge and a Korean bank clock are on the ground level. A short flight of stairs leads into a slightly larger room with graffiti on the walls. Running between both floors is Min (waiter cum cashier cum manager).

Sun & Moon Korean Restaurant, Worli, Mumbai: Food

A colourful photoillustrated menu with dish descriptors makes up the pork and beef driven menu.

Kimchi, the salty, spicy, tangy, garlicky, tangle of fermented vegetables is used in many of the dishes, too. It’s stuffed into dumplings (mandoo), infuses the Ramen and stokes the spicy fire in the beef kimchi stew which tingles with a depth of flavour. Samgypsal pork bbq’s delicious strips of pork, fried ramen with the perfect texture of noodles are worth trying.

As is the authentic array of ‘banchan’ – little bowls of sweet-spicy peanuts chopped horse radish and veggies. Authentic Korean flavors shine through by use of true-blue essentials… Doenjang fermented bean paste, soy sauce, garlic ginger, gochujang (fermented red chilli paste) and sesame oil.

Sun & Moon Korean Restaurant, Worli, Mumbai: Minus Points

‘Shree Krishna Boarding’ is the header on the name plate of this inconspicuous eatery nudged into a dimly lit, somewhat grotty lane next to a paan walla and wine shop.Flaming sunset red colour and sameness of spicy flavor marks many a dish. Bulgogi was not available. Overcooked chicken, lackluster bibimbap, thick skinned mandoo dumplings are avoidable. No alcohol, no soft drinks (the lone staff member, Min will dash out to buy if requested). Parking difficult. Considering the ambiance and location, the average price of a dish at Rs 1,000 is high.

Sun & Moon Korean Restaurant, Worli, Mumbai: My Point

Sometimes a restaurant experience extends to more than just the food. Its drawbacks become its charms… its tiny home-style space, its one-man service, generous portions of the Korean owner-chef Sun’s (not sure if I’ve got her name right) blazing lustily spiced food. Any wonder Mumbai’s swish young SOBO crowd is already a regular here? Vegetarians stay away. For those unfamiliar with Korean food, Sun & Moon serves up a unique, one-of-a kind, tinglingly earnest Korean homespun (though somewhat expensive) experience.