Merging cultures

Kothai Republic (Inner Sunset)

RESTAURANTS • FOUND Table

The Backstory: When it opened in the Inner Sunset in 2022, Kothai Republic quickly became a sleeper hit. Self-taught chef Sung Park grew up in his parents’ Outer Sunset corner store, and has lived in the neighborhood his whole life. Over a decade ago, he partnered with chef Gof Sanguanwong to launch a popular food truck called Spork and Stix. For their first brick-and-mortar restaurant, they took the same mix of Korean and Thai flavors served truckside, transmuting them into a fine dining affair.

The Experience: There’s a new wave of Asian fusion dining in San Francisco, and Kothai sits on the forefront. It’s a pretty corner space a few blocks off the park, with floor-to-ceiling windows, blonde natural woods, and handmade ceramics. The dishes are stunners, too: On a recent visit, the menu included torched sea bream swimming in bright yellow gooseberries, Monterey squid and charred tomatoes tangled with tendrils of micro herbs, and spicy red shrimp ceviche in little gem leaves balanced on a mound of ice. 

Why It’s FOUND: Everything is colorful, spicy, and funky, in the best way possible. Kothai is the rare the rare chill neighborhood spot that dazzles in the details. –Becky Duffett 

→ Kothai Republic (Inner Sunset) • 1398 9th Ave • Dinner Wed & Thurs 530–9p, Fri & Sat 5–930p, Sun 5–830p; Brunch Sat & Sun 10a–2p • Reserve.