This Korean restaurant is so modern, they’ve intentionally skipped on the barbecue!
Opening today (Thursday 04 March 2021) is Jung Sung, a freshly modern Korean restaurant serving up multi-course seasonal menus for Sydney’s most discerning tastebuds. Located on the third level of the Old Rum Store on Chippendale’s Kensington Street, Jung Sung celebrates Korean cuisine in a whimsical, yet sophisticated way.
The concept arose from a fateful encounter between cinematographer Dan Freene and hospitality veteran Jun Ok, who both shared a desire to do something truly unique in Sydney’s burgeoning restaurant scene. Freene’s enthusiasm and Ok’s experience turned out to be a winning combination that resulted in a fresh Korean dining concept. And completing the team is head chef Insup Kim, a seasoned culinary expert hailing from Korea, but with international experience having worked in Michelin-starred restaurants in the United States before moving to Australia in 2014.
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- Jung Sung Head Chef, Insup Kim. Image: Supplied
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- Jung Sung Korean – Wagyu flank steak, pear braised short-rib, eggplant textures, jalapeno jus, nasturtium flower. Image: Supplied
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- Jung Sung Korean Restaurant. Wagyu steak, red snapper HWE and mackerel. Image: Supplied
In Korean, Jung Sung means sincerity or true heart.
“I came up with the name long before the business concept came to life,” comments Ok. “It remained in the back of my mind for years, waiting for the right time to surface. It needed to be the right space, the right people and the right time. I couldn’t bring myself to use it until each of these elements aligned.
“I believe timing is the most precious ingredient in business – whether it takes days, weeks or months to create,” continues Ok. “It is particularly suitable for us because our food is punctuated by the flavours of ferments that capture the best of each season, combined with the patience and effort that goes into preparing each dish.”
When it comes to their food, the Jung Sung team are unequivocally committed to one overarching philosophy: to marry traditional Korean cooking techniques with modern methods using local Australian produce. Each dish combines the cultures of Korea and Australia, and each meal at Jung Sung is intended to be savoured. Settle in for a two- or three-course lunch, or visit after dark with three- and five-course set menu options for dinner. Guests also have the option to add matching wines or Korean soju to their set menu. And, for hardcore fine dining and degustation fans alike, a seven-course menu will be available on weekends only.
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- Jung Sung Korean Restaurant. Image: Supplied
The space that houses Jung Sung had previously been lying dormant as an underutilised event space, waiting for someone to breathe new life into it. For Freene, it was an architect’s delight – a glass box with a modern terrace, sitting on the roof of a historic building.
“The internal fit-out is designed around the natural light falling into the space, with three glass sides and an outdoor terrace for patrons to enjoy the views of the surrounding city skyline,” Freene says. “It’s a venue that feels more like a New York rooftop than an inner-city restaurant.”
Expect a modern bar with eye-catching copper accents and an internal colour scheme inspired by stone and dark metal.
Jung Sung
Tuesday – Sunday, 11:30am – 11pm
2-10 Kensington St, Chippendale NSW 2008
0400 991 011
Website
If you’re ready to explore more of Sydney’s hospitality scene, you can’t look past these 11 best fine dining restaurants in Sydney. And, to finish with a drink and a view, these 10 best rooftop bars in Sydney are worth visiting in 2021.
Feature image supplied.
Editor’s Note: Hunter and Bligh was gifted an experience by Jung Sung. All reviews are authentic and are in no way influenced by our partnership.