Menu makeover brings Southeast Asian cuisine to Henrietta NY restaurant
A video look at Cambodian dishes from Seoul Sisters in Henrietta NY
A taste of the Cambodian dishes from Seoul Sisters, which new serves Southeast Asian fare
The “Seoul” has left Seoul Sisters Pocha, a restaurant that’s been open in Henrietta for less than a year. The restaurant’s story is a bit of a convoluted one, but in the end, it’s all good news for people who enjoy varied Asian cuisines.
Chaewon Kim, who has owned the Korean restaurant Sodam for the past 20 years, opened Seoul Sisters in March to focus on aspects of Korean cuisine that weren’t on the menu at Sodam. Among its more popular dishes were bulgogi noodle soup; jjajangmyeon (noodles with black bean sauce); japchae (stir-fried glass noodles) and vegetables with fried tofu.
But before long, Kim found that dividing her time between two restaurants was hard to sustain. “It was so much work to do for myself – back and forth, back and forth,” she said. “I cannot focus on the one place because I have to split my focus.”
Enter Jay and Clarissa Chunwick, a married couple and veterans of the Rochester restaurant scene. They opened the pan-Asian restaurant Sweet Basil Cafe in the cobblestone building at 2 E. Main St. in the village of Victor in 2020.
Clarissa had previously worked for Kim at Sodam for several years. When the Chunwicks decided to close Sweet Basil for health reasons, Kim suggested they bring their food to Seoul Sisters.
It has been a win-win. Kim continues to own both restaurants but focuses her efforts on running Sodam. And the Chunwicks serve their food without the added stress of owning a restaurant.
Seoul Sisters now serves Southeast Asian fare, including Thai, Vietnamese and Cambodian cuisines. In addition to spring rolls, pho and pad thai, it serves Cambodian dishes such as a spicy papaya salad, classic fried rice (bai cha), a coconut curry soup (num banh chok) and a mild noodle dish (lort cha).
Meanwhile, some dishes from the original Seoul Sisters menu will be added to the menu at Sodam beginning in February, Kim said.
If you go
Seoul Sisters, which serves Southeast Asian cuisines, is at 3159 S. Winton Road in Henrietta. It is open 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. It is closed Sundays and Mondays. It is open for dine-in and takeout. (585) 471-8517, seoulsisterspocha.com.
Sodam, which serves Korean fare, is at 900 Jefferson Road. It is open from 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. It is closed Sundays and Wednesdays. (585) 475-9810, sodamkoreanrochester.com.
Tracy Schuhmacher has been food and drink reporter for the D&C for the past 10 years. Notice an eatery opening or closing near you? Email her at [email protected]. Follow her on Instagram and Threads.
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