This is Korean/Japanese inspired American food.
Some people, even my white American friends, are critical of Sujeo not being authentic, but the chef isn't trying to be authentic.
As a Korean myself, I try to think of Sujeo as an American restaurant with a lot of Korean inspiration.
Since I'm a vegetarian I subbed the meat in japchae for tofu which was great. I liked that there were a lot of vegetables in it.
I also liked the eggplant appetizer. I haven't tried any ramen dishes my friends usually eat as I'm a vegetarian but no one I've gone with has ever really enjoyed the ramen at Sujeo's, stating it was "not bad" leading them to eat my food.
I hardly drink but I like the big pineapple cocktail. It's fun and worth trying once.
The ice cream flavors are pretty underwhelming. I'd rather get a McDonald cone than pay $ for subtlety flavored cheap soft serve....
The prices are expensive, the most expensive 'Korean' food I've ever seen along with K Peppers. But with Sol's on the Square's original owners leaving, unfortunately there's no good Korean food in Madison. And most non-American restaurants downtown need to pay real estate bills.
For authentic Korean expensive food with small portions, go to K Peppers.
For Korean-inspired expensive food with larger portions, go to Sujeo.
The interior is very nice; not too fancy, not too casual, and very clean. I love the windows for natural light.
I've never seen this place more than 1/4 full so I wonder how their business is