Raise a Glass to Sulyi’s Gangnam Tapas & Exclusive Soju Selection

Posted: October 16th, 2016 | Author: LumDimSum | Filed under: Charity, Foodies & Dining Scene, Upcoming Events | Tags: Beyond Yakitori, BJ Foodies, Brian Germain, Charity Dinner, Cou Cou, Gangnam, Gangnam Tapas, ISIS, Kara Tepe Refugee Camp, Korean, Korean Tapas, Makguli Korean rice wine, One Pot 一锅 by SSAM, Sanlitun, soju, Soju cocktails, Soju Pairings, Sulyi, Topwin Center | 1 Comment »

The Topwin Center continues its opening spree. Next up on the menu is Sulyi, a Korean tapas restaurant with the former chef for the Korean embassy at the helm. Sulyi means “cheers” in Korean and with what promises to be a very nice balcony area, this restaurant could become a great destination for a fun soju-fuelled night before the cold sets in.

A project that started in 2014, Sulyi sets itself apart from other Korean restaurants in Beijing by focusing on Gangnam, Korean style tapas dishes. You may have heard of Gangnam thanks to PSY’s catchy tune and even catchier dance moves, which refers to a trendy and hip district in Seoul where fashion and style is top notch. According to Sulyi’s owners, they aim to bring “Gangnam” to Beijing’s hip hood Sanlitun through Gangnam tapas and home-made ‘Makguli’ Korean rice wine in fruity flavors at 4% and a special selection of Soju sold exclusively at Sulyi.

Sulyi is located on the 3rd floor of the food-crazed Topwin Center, next to Beyond Yakitori and opposite Cou Cou, the much talked about high end hotpot offering from Xiabu Xiabu.

We got to preview a not quite fully furnished restaurant still in soft opening, but it is still pretty handsome, even factoring in the details that haven’t yet been finished.

LDS Snapshots of Sulyi:

Sulyi is Literally next to Beyond Yakitori and across from Cou Cou Hot Pot

For me, Korean food and Indian food share a lot of parallels in that I get cravings for them every now and again and really want to eat them, but could never imagine having to eat them daily. However, Sulyi has showed enough promise for me to think that it might well be a challenger to One Pot for my affections. The chef has done a great job of taking many traditional Korean staples and giving them a nice twist.

Also, beverage wise, their grapefruit soju (360ml bottle for RMB 38) is so dangerously cheap and delicious, I can see how you could easily burn through a handful of bottles without noticing. I am glad we were restrained and I didn’t have to deal with the consequences of a lack of willpower the next day!

LDS Snapshots of Sulyi’s Gangnam Tapas:

Kimchi Pancake with Ricotta Cheese (RMB 42)

Tofu Quesadillas with Gchujang Tomato Salsa (RMB 36)

Fried Boneless Chicken & Poached Garlic Shoots with Wasabi Red Pepper Sweet Paste (RMB 88)

Potato Pancake with Hana Katsuo Topping (RMB 58)

Clay Pot Topokki with Cheddar & Mozzarella Cheese (RMB 88)

Grilled Spicy Pork Belly & Poached Squid Topped with Soba (RMB 98)

Korean Traditional Miso Assorted Seafood Soup with fresh Octopus (RMB 158)

Served Tableside

Still in soft opening, the restaurant is only open currently for dinner service between 6PM-10PM. Similar to wine pairings you can get in Western restaurants, Sulyi will serve soju pairings where they present 8 bottles of soju selections and provide 4-5 bottles for you to pair with their Chef’s menu. Starting November 8th, they’ll also start opening for lunch as well.

As I mentioned in the intro, I think that Sulyi is really only rivalled by One Pot in Sanlitun SOHO, Beijing. Neither restaurant is really a traditional Korean restaurant, but instead modern, Korean-inspired fusion with dishes that are creative and fun and not at all what you will get if you go to one of the many Korean BBQ restaurants around town. Sulyi’s focus on soju and their homemade Makguli will make Sulyi a great choice for vivacious group dinners prior to a big night out in Sanlitun.

If you’re a fellow foodie and keen to come and try out Sulyi, you can sign up for the upcoming BJ FOoDiEs charity dinner event on Sunday, October 23rd (also organized by yours truly). From 7:30-9:30PM, this entourage of die-hard foodies are always up for new dining adventures and keen to support community events around town.

Ready to pull out all the stops with this very generous menu, Sulyi is showcasing pretty much all their signature dishes with a feast of 13 different dishes (to be shared per table of 8 pax).

Kick-Ass Korean Menu for BJ FOoDiEs:

Starters:

Hot Pumpkin Soup (individual portion)

Tofu Quesadillas with Gochujang tomato salsa (one per person)

Korean BBQ Beef Salad with Red Pepper Paste Sauce

Korean Pancakes & Rice Cakes:

Kimchi Pancake with Ricotta Cheese (one per person)

Potato Pancake with Hana Katsuo Topping

Rice Cake Skewers with Sweet & Spicy Gochujang Sauce

Beef Rice Ball

Mains:

Fried Boneless Chicken and Poached Garlic Shoot with Wasabi & Red Pepper Sweet Paste

Grilled Spicy Pork Belly & Poached Squid Topped with Soba

Stewed Chicken Tenderloin with Black Bean Paste Sauce

Soups & Clay Pots:

Korean Traditional Miso Seafood Soup

Clay Pot Topokki with Cheddar & Mozzarella Cheese

Dessert:

Black Sesame & Millet Rice Cake

So for RMB 100, you’ll be treated to a crazy generous, kickass Korean feast in one of Beijing’s newest restaurant openings! This month’s sponsored funds will be introduced by a fellow foodie friend Brian Germain who is a psychology teacher at Beijing No. 4 High School and travels the world during summer break undertaking different charitable causes. 100% of all funds raised will be donated to the Kara Tepe Refugee Camp on the island of Lesvos, Greece, for the purchase of clothing, food, cookware, and classroom learning materials.

“After fleeing unspeakable atrocities from around the world, overloaded boats come to shore with people who have left behind their lives and every possession they once owned. Waiting weeks, months, and years for asylum applications to be reviewed, families are stuck in camp without many items we consider basic necessities.” – Brian Germain, volunteer for Kara Tepe Refugee Camp

You can read more about Brian and his mission on his fundraising page – https://www.gofundme.com/22ddu6fw and his blog https://learninglyceum.org/2016/07/26/teenage-gunfight-with-isis/

With limited seating, I’d recommend booking your seats as quickly as possible as all seating is now only confirmed by WeChat Transfer (add ID: LumDimSum). 

Sulyi Contact Details:

• Address: 3rd floor of the Topwin Center, Unit 3-1 Top Win Center, 1^st South Sanlitun Road

• 地址：北京市朝阳区南三里屯一号通盈中心3楼 3-1

• Tel: 18614088685

• Opening Hours: Open Tuesdays-Sundays from 6M-10PM (Closed on Mondays). They will be open for lunch after November 8th.

Other Suggested LDS Articles:

• Dubujib: House of Tofu & Korean Comfort Food

• One Pot by SSAM: Expanded Menu + Free-Flow Cocktails

• Suutak’s Finger-Lickin’ Fried Chicken & World Beer

• Palms L.A.’s 2nd Restaurant Branch in Sanyuanqiao

• Vin Vino 萬久: Madcap Japanese Tapas & Wine

• To Boldly Go: Beyond Yakitori

---