A new restaurant, Sun Izakaya Asian Fusion and Bar, has opened in downtown Vicksburg. The owners are husband-and-wife team Sam Sun and Yuki Lin, who also own Japanese Express and Sun Poke.

Sun said two major reasons they opened the restaurant were the desire to have a bar and the hope to break into the market of the downtown area.

Sun and Lin immigrated from China in 2008 and arrived in Vicksburg in 2017. They decided to open Japanese Express and, in 2023, they opened Sun Poke.

The “Fusion” in the title of the restaurant refers to the fusion of East Asian and American cuisines.

Sun said one difference between American and East Asian mixed drinks is that Americans often make mixed drinks with juice, while East Asian mixed drinks are often mixed with tea.

While the new restaurant’s offerings might include some dishes Vicksburgers aren’t familiar with, more conventional menu items are still available for less adventurous palates.

“My favorite dish is the beef rice, the Gyu Don,” Sun said. The dish consists of grilled onions and beef over slow-cooked rice.

Sun said a major influence on the dishes served is East Asian street food.

The restaurant also includes a sushi bar.

Sun Izakaya is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.; and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

The owners are currently looking to hire servers.

The restaurant is currently running a soft opening with tentative plans for a grand opening in the future. The restaurant is located at 1104 Washington St. at the former location of Relish.