Sunju Lee’s dream to bring authentic Korean food to her community is about to be realized.
Her new restaurant, Gangnam Korea, opens Friday, July 30 and will feature an array of Korean dishes as well as a specialty bubble tea café.
Lee, who is a mother of three, spent her childhood in Korea but when she went to University of Toronto in the 1990s her parents bought Smith’s in Port Sydney. Her family has been in Muskoka ever since.
“Since we are from Korea, my parents are so submerged in their culture and we still celebrate all of the traditional dates and customs,” said Lee. “But living here I have always felt like this area could use a little more diversity and culture with our food choices.”
When she saw the former Tim Hortons location on Main St. East was up for lease, she knew it was the perfect time to get planning.
With its proximity to downtown and plenty of parking, Lee knew there was high potential to turn it into her dream restaurant. Walking through the space now, you immediately notice the huge transformation it has undergone in just a few months.
“I am just so excited to introduce what I know to my local community and show everyone what I grew up eating,” said Lee.
The menu is comprised of four main themes: bubble tea, mozzadogs, Korean fried chicken, and dup-bap.
Gangnam Korea will serve a variety of traditional dishes as well as popular street food like mozzadogs (right).
Known for its bright colours and wide range of unique fruity flavours, bubble tea is a popular, sweet, iced drink, complete with chewy tapioca pearls.
Mozzadogs are a trendy Korean street food that feature mozzarella, a hot dog, or the combination of both, battered in chewy rice coating.
Korean fried chicken is battered with tempura and deep-fried four times to give each piece a super-crunchy texture and unique flavour.
Dup-bap is steamed rice topped with Korean beef, chicken stir fry, or spicy pork paired with vegetables.
In addition to these four main offerings, Gangnam Korea will also serve dumplings and Japchae or Korean rice noodles.
Chef Yangmo, Lee’s cousin and business partner, is a long-term Korean chef from Toronto who has relocated to run Gangnam Korea.
Although the goal of the restaurant is to offer convenient takeaway food, they have also created a cozy seating area for those who wish to dine in.
“There are so many health benefits to our food,” said Lee. “My goal is to offer a hearty, healthy meal at an affordable price. With every meal you order you are offered a side of kimchi [a traditional side dish made with fermented bok choy or Napa cabbage] because I want everyone to try it at least once.”
Gangnam Korea’s grand opening will run for four days starting on Friday, July 30. During that time they will be offering draws, bubble tea samples, and coupons.
A website will launch soon, with online ordering available, and they hope to offer delivery in the future. In the meantime, you can call 705-788-0777 to order once they open.
Gangnam Korea is located at 99 Main Street East in Huntsville and will be open Sunday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
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Absolutely delicious!
Hi Donna. Their menu is now available at https://gangnamkorea.ca/
Could you please post a menu with prices. Also if it is hot, spicy, sweet, mild.
Brian and I had the pleasure of pretasting Gangnam Chicken’s menu. All of their dishes were delicious. What a welcome addition to our town. We wish Sunju and her cousin all the best in their exciting new adventure.
Congratulations!!! I cant wait to try your food …..we definately need some diversity and a variety of cuisine options….especially through the winter months…..will be there July 30
Wow, Huntsville is growing up.
We have nothing like that in Parry Sound and would love to your restaurant here.
Congratulations Sunju!! I will have to come and see your new restaurant when I come to visit Huntsville! I used to live just up the road from Smith’s in Port Sydney???? I’m so happy for you!
Wishing you all the best. We have a cottage in Port Sydney, have been coming up since 1965. We will definitely come by next time we are up. Cheers ????
wow – will be in the line July 30th! Thank you and best of luck!!!!
Congratulations & GOOD LUCK! We can’t wait to try your special food. I’m sure you’ll be very popular.
Congratulations Sunju! Looking forward to enjoying your Korean food!
Congratulations Sunju,
C
an’t wait to try your food. Your menu sounds really yummy. My Korean friend always talks about the Korean style hot dogs. Apparently they’re the best!
Hi John,
Not sure if you’re referring to Mottbora, but if you are they aren’t gone, they’ve just moved to a new location. 92 King William (at the corner of Hwy 60 between Henrietta’s and Pizzaville).
Looking forward to trying something new to us. Sunju just make sure you are ready for a large influx of people willing to try your food. In Huntsville people swarm a new place and if it is not ready it can end their business very quickly. We had the best Sushi place come to Huntsville that was not prepared, unfortunately even though the food was great the service, food preparation and therefore delivery was not. They just never recovered from it. This is just a heads up, I wish you great success.
Congratulations!!!! Sunju. I can’t wait to try your amazing food.
Fantastic. All the Best.Our gain & The Stations loss. Do You know anyone who could play Piano while We wait for takeout ?
Congratulations, what an exciting addition to Huntsville!