Korean street food is on the menu at Noonchi, a new eatery in the back of Bun’d Up in Pentagon City.
Asian-American fusion spot Bun’d Up at 1201 S. Joyce Street, in the Westpost shopping center, finished rebranding its back room earlier this year. Noonchi is a departure from Sparrow Room, the former speakeasy and dim sum destination.
“It’s completely different flavor profile, completely different cuisines,” chef and owner Scott Chung tells ARLnow.
The mahjong game nights and cocktails of Sparrow Room were difficult to sustain, Chung says. He also feels the recent change fills a culinary gap in Arlington.
“We saw that there was a void in Korean street food, or just any sort of Korean cuisine around here,” Chung says. “[My mom and I] just figured this was the better concept to be in this space.”
Chung calls Noonchi a pocha, a Korean word for street vendor. The name itself, Chung says, is “a funny word” for someone who might not be able to read the room.
As for the actual room, most of Sparrow’s interior remained intact through the rebrand, but some new light fixtures, wall decor, neon signage and a TV give the back room a different vibe.
The menu is inspired by foods from Chung’s childhood, and he says the oxtail soup is particularly nostalgic.
Kimbap, or Korean rice rolls, are having “a moment” right now, Chung tells ARLnow. Two rolls filled with beef, veggies, kanikama (imitation crab) or tuna go for $9 at Noonchi.
Also from the kitchen, there’s kimchi friend rice, udon stir fry and sweet soy fried chicken wings. Lighter bites include cheesy corn and sotteok, a snack made of skewered soft rice cakes and sausages.
At the bar, Chung is keeping it “real simple, straightforward,” by focusing on Korean beers and soju cocktails.
While Sparrow Room’s mahjong game nights have come to an end, it’s not the end of all activities, Chung says. He wants to introduce some Korean events to complement the change in cuisine.
In addition to a new karaoke machine, different table games may be introduced, Chung said. He also connected with the Korean Cultural Center in D.C. for potential future collaborations.
Bun’d Up’s weekly trivia nights, meanwhile, will continue at 7 p.m. each Wednesday.
Noonchi and Bun’d Up are open 4-9 p.m. Monday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.
