Bright Lights, Big Flavours, and a Fresh Take on Chinese Dining

Tucked down an indoor corridor in Kensington Market, SUNNYs Chinese is the casual, lively counterpart to MIMI Chinese. Created by Big Hug Hospitality, David Schwartz, Braden Chong and Brandon Marek, it brings a young team’s curiosity and confidence to regional Chinese cooking.

The inspiration comes from places where eating is a spirited, communal affair: late-night barbecue stalls in Chengdu and Xi’an, and Hong Kong’s dai pai dongs. The menu follows suit with bold seasoning and dishes made for sharing. Come with friends, order across the menu and leave room to try something unfamiliar.

The kitchen’s wok skills are a strength. Silver Needle Noodles with mushrooms, scallions and soy sauce show how satisfying a simple combination can be, while Typhoon Shelter Squid brings garlic breadcrumbs, salted black beans and chilli into each crisp bite. The Husband + Wife Beef, with beef shank, tripe, peanuts and Sichuan chilli oil, offers a lively contrast of textures and spice.

That enthusiasm extends beyond its own dining room. The team shares favourite Chinese restaurants across the Greater Toronto Area on its website, encouraging guests to explore the wider community. It is a generous gesture that suits SUNNYs: a restaurant with plenty of personality and an infectious love of the food it serves.