Restaurant Profile: Sushi Suyu

sushi suyu

WRITTEN BY DAVID MCCREARY | PHOTOGRAPHED BY JONATHAN FREDIN

Enjoy an artfully presented 10-piece nigiri chef’s choice platter.

DOWNTOWN APEX continues to diversify its dining scene. The most recent addition to its full-service culinary portfolio is Sushi Suyu, which melds Japanese and Korean cuisine.

“We want to provide a nice Asian fusion experience for people to enjoy,” said co-proprietor Dean Park, who hails from South Korea. He runs the business with his brother, SJ Park, and explained that the name “Suyu” gives a nod to his small hometown near Seoul.

The restaurant’s modern, intimate dining room contains 15 tables. A cozy sushi bar offers seating for five guests and a front-row view of sushi chefs crafting rolls and other enticing creations.

Gray and dark blue colors provide a tranquil vibe, while a central wall features stylish white tile. Live flora including snake plants, Zanzibar Gem, and orchids deliver extra touches of warmth. Abundant windows also provide plenty of natural light during the daytime.

Everything that emerges from the kitchen or sushi bar is artfully presented on imported ceramic trays, plates, and bowls. Service is courteous and efficient, and staff members are adept at making recommendations from the menu.

LEFT: Luna Park, daughter of co-owner Dean Park, deftly handles chopsticks as she eats sushi. TOP RIGHT: A succulent bulgogi burger will not disappoint. MIDDLE RIGHT:The restaurant’s dining room is modern and intimate. LOWER RIGHT: Distinctive flora like this snake plant adds to the restaurant’s ambiance.

Start your meal with a pork dumpling soup, squid salad, or seaweed salad. Among the tempting sushi appetizers, the shareable truffle salmon carpaccio shines brightest. Thinly sliced seared pieces of salmon are served with fried onion, tobiko (similar to caviar), truffle oil, soy mustard, and an apple aioli.

The menu’s “Kitchen” section features diverse selections like sweet spicy edamame, pan-fried vegetable or pork dumplings, and panko softshell crab. For something decidedly different, order the bulgogi burger featuring melt-inyour-mouth slices of beef served on a brioche bun alongside house-made potato chips.

“We use a special marinade on the bulgogi beef, and everyone loves it,” Park said. “There is no need for ketchup with this burger.”

If you prefer chicken, you won’t be disappointed with KFC, a brimming bowlful of Korean-style fried boneless bird tossed in a sweet-and-spicy sauce with scallions and sesame seeds.

Principal sushi offerings like nigiri and sashimi are available a la carte. A dozen classic rolls are accessible, and 17 inventive specialty rolls appear on the menu.

A large selection of specialty rolls are popular menu items at lunch and dinner.

The Korean pancake with ice cream is the perfect way to end your meal.

“We want to provide a nice Asian fusion experience for people to enjoy.”

— Dean Park, Co-Proprietor

The Dynamite Salmon roll includes spicy tuna and cucumber topped with smoky salmon, sriracha aioli, serrano pepper, and masago, which is also similar to caviar. Road Trip involves spicy tuna and salmon with masago, kale crunch, yuzu citrus, and fresh microgreens.

The Apex roll consists of asparagus, avocado, crab, shrimp tempura, tamago (egg), apple aioli, microgreens, and sweet soy. Cleverly named Eel-ectric Shock features shrimp tempura and baked eel with cream cheese, sweet soy, scallions, and sesame seeds.

For a multifaceted experience, get a nigiri or sashimi moriawase, which translates to “assortment.” We recommend the 10-piece nigiri chef’s choice platter, which will lead to an Instagram-worthy photo of epic proportions.

“It is served in traditional Japanese style with sushi rice and various types of fish on top of each piece,” said Park, adding that the nigiri is presented on a tiered wooden staircase display rack.

Sushi rolls with authentic wasabi are served on imported ceramic dinnerware.

Pro tip: Ask for a side of eel sauce or spicy mayo for dipping purposes. And if you’re not handy with chopsticks, no worries: Your server will provide a fork.

Several menu items are vegetarian or gluten free. For instance, seven of the classic sushi rolls — from asparagus and avocado to spicy tuna and yellowtail — contain no gluten.

It’s also worth mentioning that Sushi Suyu is committed to using authentic wasabi, a pungent condiment also known as Japanese horseradish. “Most sushi restaurants use powdered wasabi,” Park explained. “We use real, fresh wasabi.” Choose a quality Japanese sake, beer, or wine to drink with your meal. “We have a small selection of sake, but it pairs really well with sushi,” said Park, who is a certified sake specialist. If you visit midday, try a lunch box special including nigiri, sashimi, shrimp tempura roll, and steamed rice with spicy pork, bulgogi, or salmon poke. You can also choose two specialty rolls for a fixed, discounted price.

Want to finish your meal with dessert? Be sure to pick the delectable brown-sugarand-cinnamon-infused Korean pancake topped with vanilla ice cream.

When it comes to parking, two designated take-out spots are conveniently positioned just outside the restaurant. If you plan to dine in, consider the Saunders parking lot located directly behind the building.

Sushi Suyu is open six days a week (closed Sundays). Check the website for hours of operation. Limited reservations are available. t

Sushi Suyu 301 N. SALEM ST. SUITE 105, APEX (919) 367-6419 sushisuyu.com