In The Press

Reporting notes: National Filipino Food Month at Sunda New Asian in April Sunda New Asian will feature Filipino dishes throughout April in recognition of National Filipino Food Month at its River North and Fulton Market locations. The restaurant is led by founder Billy Dec and Executive Chef Mike Morales.

Sunda New Asian is inviting guests behind the sushi bar for a hands-on Sushi Rolling Class led by the restaurant’s award-winning chefs. During this interactive experience, participants will learn the fundamentals of sushi-making while crafting their own rolls from scratch, featuring ingredients such as fresh salmon, crispy shrimp tempura, and spicy tuna, all wrapped in perfectly seasoned sushi rice and nori.

Raw crab can be delicious, but eating raw seafood can be risky. Knowing what to look for when selecting crab you intend to eat raw — and knowing how to prepare it — can help reduce the risk of food poisoning. Michael Morales, culinary director at Sunda New Asian, shared what you need to know to prepare and eat raw crab safely. First, it's important to know what to look for when you're buying raw crabs. "Sourcing is everything," says Morales. It's also key that you buy live crab, and they should be active when you purchase them. "The more movement the better," says Morales (look for crabs that have their claws up). Additionally, give the crab you're considering a whiff before you buy. "The crab should not emit any odor. No smell is a good thing for seafood," says Morales. After you've properly selected your crab, it's time to move on to the preparation process, and Morales has several safety tips for reducing the risk of getting sick from eating raw seafood.

Menu Talk: The advocate for Philippine culture and hospitality is also getting ready for the PBS debut of his documentary.

Ring in the Year of the Horse and commemorate the 16-day Lunar New Year—from Tuesday, Feb. 17 through Tuesday, March 3—with Chicago’s most fabulous offerings and events. From an awe-inspiring parade to a luxe six-course feast, we’ve rounded up the best ways to celebrate the Lunar New Year in Chicago.

Valentine’s Day is almost here and there’s a good chance you’re finalizing your day-of plans here in Chicago. Whether you’re looking for a romantic dinner destination, a low-key cocktail spot, or the perfect date night experience, there’s plenty going on in the Windy City. Here’s your guide to the best things to do this Valentine’s Day in Chicago.

Owner and CEO Billy Dec demos dumplings for Lunar New Year and shares Valentine's Day specials.

The only thing better than a new Beyonce or Taylor album drop is the drop of the Chicago Restaurant Week menus and the 2026 menus are no exception! Whether you’re using this time as an excuse to revisit a neighborhood favorite or finally trying that hot new restaurant on your list, there is truly no better time to enjoy the epicness that is the Chicago culinary scene. Check out our roundup of restaurants that are offering some of the best CRW deals:

If you’re still unsure about your plans, consider starting the celebration with a delicious meal. Here are our top restaurant picks in Chicago!

To inspire you to elevate your Thanksgiving celebration with creative dishes that go way beyond the traditional spread, here are 30 Thanksgiving recipes from celebrity chefs, award-winning restaurateurs, and top culinary experts (including Andrew Zimmern, Brooke Williamson, Jacques Torres, Michael Symon, Robert Irvine, and more). To make it a real party this year, Thanksgiving just got a whole lot more fun, because legendary entertainer-turned-chef Snoop Dogg is sharing one of his festive favorites with us too – Snooperdoodles! Whether you’re on turkey duty or you’re responsible for whipping up the sides, these gourmet Thanksgiving recipes will surely have your guests craving more.

Scallops may look alike at the counter, but the labels on them can tell a very different story. The real differences start before the scallop even hits the pan. To better understand different types of scallops, we tapped the expertise of culinary director and chef Michael Morales at Sunda New Asian; Maricel Gentile, chef at Maricel's Kitchen and ambassador chef of K-Seafood; Will Plamondon, director of wholesale operations at The Fish Guy; chef David Seigal, vice president and culinary director of Lobster Place at Chelsea Market; "Iron Chef" alum Franklin Becker, who owns Point Seven; and chef Aaron Cuschieri at The Dearborn.  Once you understand how a scallop reaches the dock, the differences shift to the type itself. Here, we'll break down eight distinct kinds of scallops and how their size, sweetness, and texture differ from one another.

Preparing the annual Thanksgiving feast never seems to go off without a hitch. Every year, either the turkey is dry, the stuffing is mushy, or the gravy has gone cold. When it comes to holiday cooking, the right tools can make the difference between chaos and calm. Professional chefs know that the feast’s success comes down to smart preparation, and a few underrated kitchen products can ensure the holiday meal runs smoothly. We asked chefs to share the unexpected kitchen tools they rely on to prep Thanksgiving dishes, and their picks go far beyond the basic roasting pans and carving knives.