Sonamu

Sonamu
Sonamu
Staff
Owner	MIKE24Dude
Founder	Supykun
General Information
Date Founded	June 25, 2015
Headquarters	Viva Towers, Central City
Franchise Type	Korean BBQ Restaurant
Locations	10
Cost of Store	$250

Sonamu (Korean: 소나무) is a gourmet Korean barbecue restaurant created by Supykun and managed by MIKE24DUDE.

First built in now-demolished location in Janghwa City, Sonamu was praised for its custom-built stores by the former owner, with and won MRT Franchise Awards in 2016 for three categories; Best Style, Best Restaurant/Café, and Largest Size. Due to great size and popularity of the restaurant, some cities built dedicated bus stop or tram station for Sonamu. Sonamu was also a placeholder host for multiple gaming events such as The Great Search, The Not A Van Challenge, and The Not A Tennis Net Challenge.

History

The picture of the now-demolished Sonamu at Janghwa City

Sonamu's beginning go back to June 25th of 2015. As Janghwa City was founded, Supykun decided that he could build a high-class Korean restaurant that could express their native culture and represent gourmet and pristine quality at the same time. First store was built at Janghwa, which was also owned by Supykun.

The new restaurnat was named Sonamu, which means 'Pine Tree' in Korean. Due to their resemblence with Korean pine trees, Acacia trees were used as the building material and general decoration.

Many visitors liked creativity and the fanciness of the restaurant, and some wanted that the restaurant to be expanded for the whole server as a franchise. The second location in North Laclede by jphgolf4321 opened, and the franchise expanded quickly following more positive reputation. By July 2015, week after the franchise was founded, Sonamu had 25 locations planned and 3 restaurants open.

On August 15, 2015, Sonamu was incorporated as a restaurant under the parent company corporationHB in an attempt to organize all of the franchises that supykun owned. The Nutella House, FamilyMart, and Round Records were also incorporated in the new holding company.

However, popularity of Sonamu however was faltered after the owner couldn't keep up with the demand and growing waiting list. Some mayors began to retract their orders and demanded refunds, and some abandoned their towns which nullified the orders. Sonamu was also criticized being more generic design-wise. "A huge, acacia box" was used to describe the restaurant franchise.

To counter the negative reputation of the franchuse, Supykun decided to come up with a new plan on December 2015 to improve and upgrade their franchises and their situation.

On February 22, 2016, Supykun ended his leave from the server and disbanded corporationHB replacing it with new company called CYN. Under the new parent company, Sonamu completed more locations despite the increasing orders.

In late June 2020 founder Supykun was permanently banned from the MRT server. Former corporationHB Cabinet Administrator for Sonamu and The Nutella House, MIKE24DUDE was granted ownership of both franchises through an Inactive Assets Transfer. Both franchises have come under the control of the Viva La Vida Holdings company. Viva La Vida Holdings intends to simplify some aspects of Sonamu so that it can be spread across more of the MRT server.

Features

Exterior

Alternate logo of Sonamu

Formerly, most Sonamus were encased under a huge acacia box with glass in an attempt to target a sleek, modern look. With this idea beginning to show blandness and lack of detail, the tactic shifted for a more diverse and more interesting look on each Sonamus. From beach hangars to underground hills, Sonamu's look has improved greatly and now stands out to be one of the most creatively looking restaurants out on the MRT.

On all Sonamu locations bares its famous logo (at least one) somewhere on the building. The material also varies, but are usually in acacia, quartz, or dark blocks. The logo is a calligraphic depiction of the word "Sonamu" in Korean (소나무) to symbolize our further effort to show our restaurant being very oriented. In some cases however, an alternate logo is used to encrypt in smaller spaces, and are commonly found on sign placards in the restaurant. The alternate logo symbolizes a Sonamu Tree.

Interior

One of the interesting things about Sonamu is that the table design is unique from most other franchises. To depict an actual Korean BBQ Table, the team at corporationHB had studied carefully on the table design, and revealed the five unique details that would seperate it from normal restaurant desks:

The Hoodpipe - A required material for preventing smoke to irritate the customers from further cooking, acts as a ventilator
The Grill - The main thing on the table. Allows the actual cooking to occur
The Assistance Bell - In almost all Korean BBQ restaurants, the way to call a waiter is by pressing a button located on your desk
The Fire Controller - Needed for controlling the fire and heat being emitted from the grill
The Table Number- Most Korean BBQ restaurants have numbers on tables to prevent waiters from confusing tables

Sonamu also tends to have lots of Sonamu Trees surrounding tables, and make up the surrounding, giving it a rather forest feel in which Sonamu is best well-known for. Alongside, Sonamu has crafted ponds and waterfalls, and sometimes even an island with seatings as its decoration.


육회 Yukhwe (Beef Sashimi)	삼겹살 Samgyeopsal (3-Layer Korean Bacon)	오겹살 Ogyeopsal (5-Layer Korean Bacon)	돼지갈비 Pork Galbi	갈비 Galbi (Marinated Ribs)	차돌박이 Chadolbagi (Beef Briskets)	꽃등심 Kkotdeungsim (Rib Eye)	항정살 Hangjeongsal (Pork Neck)	주물럭 Jumuluk (Marinated Pork)	가브리살 Gaburisal (Pork Cheek)	닭갈비 Chicken Galbi
> ￦30000 < > $30 <	> ￦13000 < > $13 <	> ￦15000 < > $15 <	> ￦10000 < > $10 <	> ￦15000 < > $15 <	> ￦13000 < > $13 <	> ￦25000 < > $25 <	> ￦10000 < > $10 <	> ￦10000 < > $10 <	> ￦15000 < > $15 <	> ￦10000 < > $10 <
Only qualified for the cleanest beef available, you can enjoy raw beef safely- and the taste is pure phenomenon.	Literally everyone's favorite- the crisp yet juicy pork belly makes the meal so much more memorable.	Isn't as common as the Samgyeopsal, but if you wanna step up your game, you could go for the thicker.	The spicy marinated meat is another common but popular meal among people. Not only tasty, but addicting as well.	You could go marinated or unmarinated, but either one gives a real sensation of what a real meat tastes like.	The thin, juicy meat has a fabulous taste and sensation, and also has a very quick cooking duration.	Wanna go for a premium option? Choose rib eye, another phenomenon and the master of quality meats.	Similar to Kkotdeungsim, this dish is well-loved and enjoyed in the rural parts of Korea.	This meat is slowly battered carefully to produce an enjoyable chewy sensation.	As the more traditional dish, take this option if you want to know the more authentic side of the Korean Barbeque.	Try out the marinated Galbi- in chicken. This dish is native and popular in Gangwondo, the Northeastern part of Korea.

Others

Hwachae Corner
Somewhere in the restaurant is located a Hwachae Corner where you can get some authentic Koreans drinks with your meal. Hwachae (화채) is a traditional Korean fruit/herbal punch that tends to be sweet, crisp, and tasty. Hwachae Corners will usually be located in areas near the front desk, or anywhere that would be very visible to the public. As a Sonamu customer, Hwachaes can be freely served without charge, and is a self-service system where you go up to the Hwachae Corner and manually select your preferred drink.

All the Hwachaes served in Sonamu was brought to you by HanokCafé, a traditional Korean café franchise in which Hwachae is one of their specializations.


배화채 Korean Pear Hwachae (Bae Hwachae)	복숭아화채 Peach Hwachae (Bokseunga Hwachae)	앵두화채 Korean Cherry Hwachae (Angdu Hwachae)	딸기화채 Strawberry Hwachae (Ttalgi Hwachae)	복분자화채 Korean Raspberry Hwachae (Bokbunja Hwachae)	수박화채 Watermelon Hwachae (Subak Hwachae)	장미화채 Rose Hwachae (Jangmi Hwachae)	진달래화채 Korean Azelea (Jindallae Hwachae)

Soju and Makgeolli

[ Warning ] Drinking is universally illegal for all minor age customers. The exact age spectrum may differ depending on the location and the city, but nevertheless, you are required to confirm your legal age and adulthood in order to consume these beverages.

Soju (소주) | $1 a bottle

Also known as Korean Vodka, it is a spirit liquor distilled from yams in which further fermentation process is instilled. Alcohol level is 25 to 30% to ensure a strong, yet smooth and satisfied feeling. Traditionally and currently so popular in Korean tables, it is slowly being considered as a staple, from men to women, from young adults to older people. It is well-drank by everyone, and is said to have caused South Korea to become the #1 highest spirit-alcohol consumption nation in the world with 15.2 shots a day. With that being more than twice the average of the runner-up Russia, you can sense the strong sensation of Soju's power into the mature Korean society.

Makgeolli (막걸리) | $1 a bottle

Also known as Korean Rice Wine, it is a softer drink compared to Soju in which is a traditional Korean wine based of either distilled rice or raw rice. With the same fermentation process, the alcohol level goes up to 8 to 10%, but instead have a sweet, smooth, and a delicious taste in which maintains the customer's satisfaction. Distilled ones, just like Soju, has a straighter taste along with strong alcohol content, but non-distilled ones have a bubbly, carbonated sensation in which younger generations enjoy, and is in fact, considered as a healthier choice as well.

Locations

Click on any city to learn about that city!

|(Foobar)†

Locations with a * indicates that they are directly managed under the SonamuWestlake Group.
Map updated as of March 8, 2016.

Information	Directions	Status
１６／０２／２４ Kenthurst ・ 켄트허스트점 (Aliksong)	Exit at MRT Expo Line [XW10]. ・Exit north, and proceed north on the North Sydney Blvd. until you hit the intersection with the Outer Ring Road (B79).	Open ・44 tables / 232 seats As the only Sonamu in the MRT to be based underground, the structure of this Sonamu is a hill with several outdoor seatings provided, giving both a picnic feel on the outside, and a rather unique hellish look on the inside. In fact, the inside of this Sonamu was to portray the insides of a volcano.
１６／０２／２８ Cornus ・ 코너스점 (unjinz)	Exit at MRT Taiga Line [T8]. ・Exit west and use the vivoTransit Line 1 (Ring Line; clockwise), and ride to the Amphitheatre/Sonamu Station. ・Exit east, head right until you find Raccoon St. Turn left and proceed until you intersect with Redford St and turn left.	Open ・45 tables / 232 seats One of the tallest structures so far in Cornus, this Sonamu branch has a rather geometrically artistic exterior that gives a floating dining experience in which you feel like you're eating in the sky. Another special aspect of this Sonamu is that it has a dedicated train station (VivoRail) incorporated under the restaurant.
１６／０３／０４ Xilia ・ 실리아점 (Yellowitcher)	Exit at MRT Taiga Line [T5] or [T6]. ・For T5, use any three exits, and head left so that you get on the B90 (Charles de Gaulle Ave.) Proceed north. ・For T6, exit south, get on the B90 (Charles de Gaulle Ave.) and proceed south.	Open ・64 tables / 298 seats Taking the concept of a classy yet basic-looking box and with the silky gray texture tributing to the French modern design, we've amassed it with the forest replica on the top so that it replicates a huge box of a forest makeover. The specialty of this Sonamu lies in the center with an epic, circular opening with a volcano-looking torch in the center, creating a deep landscape and view.
１６／０３／０９ Original:15/07/26 Jeeka ・ 지카점 (mustang_guy)	Exit at MRT Taiga Line [T31] or MRT Circle Line [C98]. ・For both stations, exit east, proceed straight until you get to the street. You may either head left via Anjelica Blvd. then turn right at Hamilton Ave... ・...Or just continue proceeding in the same direction via Varichak St. and turn left when you hit Jade Ln.	Open ・50 tables / 246 seats The architecture for this Sonamu is rather diversely put. With lots of both the top decks and ground usages, this Sonamu has a great standard design example of a rainforest café-like restaurant- natural, yet classy. One keypoint of this Sonamu is that a road passes through in the center- and the result of this Sonamu resulted in a great usage of that road. Not too invasive, yet perfectly fitting in.
１９／０５／１２ Original:15/07/26 Jeeka ・ 지카점 (mustang_guy)	Exit at MRT Taiga Line [T31] or MRT Circle Line [C98]. ・For both stations, exit east, proceed straight until you get to the street. You may either head left via Anjelica Blvd. then turn right at Hamilton Ave... ・...Or just continue proceeding in the same direction via Varichak St. and turn left when you hit Jade Ln.	Open ・50 tables / 246 seats The architecture for this Sonamu is rather diversely put. With lots of both the top decks and ground usages, this Sonamu has a great standard design example of a rainforest café-like restaurant- natural, yet classy. One keypoint of this Sonamu is that a road passes through in the center- and the result of this Sonamu resulted in a great usage of that road. Not too invasive, yet perfectly fitting in.

Subsidaries

SonamuWestlake

Sonamu Westlake (소나무 웨스트레이크) is a division of Sonamu. They act as a regional management company that takes care of Sonamu Restaurant locations in the Northwestern Regions of the MRT Gamma World.

SonamuWestlake was founded on March 3, 2016. Their regional headquarters are in Xilia.