The television twins Luna and Álex Zacharías decided to open a restaurant on their island that would combine local and seasonal products with international influences, particularly from Southeast Asia. This is how Munsoo was born, a place in the purest Balinese style, and whose name is inspired by the word moon in English, added to the name of the town that shelters it: Soo.
In an interview during the radio program of Radio Lanzarote Más de Uno Gourmet, they explain that in addition to being a place to enjoy gastronomy, Munsoo is also a multidisciplinary center with artistic performances, as well as yoga and meditation sessions.
- How did this project come about?
Luna: The truth is that I don't know. Sometimes I think, what have you done, Luna? No one told me everything that was behind running a restaurant. I always admired the people who work in that sector, but now more than ever.
We are very happy, we were a little afraid of opening in Soo. People didn't give a penny, they said: "but there's nothing there." That's precisely why we thought it could be a good place, and in Famara it was impossible to find a place.
- I imagine you wanted a place near home…
Alex: Of course, although in reality we were never worried about it being in Soo. It was later, when we had gotten involved, that people were surprised by the location. We are going to work and do things well and people will come.
- Alex, you are an actor, so I imagine the idea was your sister's…
Alex: I don't know what's going on with my life, my sister always drags me into everything. (laughs). In the end it works and everything turns out more or less well. When Luna proposed the project to me, I said okay, but if we get involved, we both get involved to the fullest and the truth is that I'm very happy. It's true that we see each other much less, because at the beginning we were both there for 14 hours.
Luna: I make breakfasts and brunches, and my brother is more dedicated to the afternoon, to partying. (laughs).
- Does being twins help when working together?…
Luna: Without my brother telling me anything, I notice where he is and what's going on inside him. Anyway, we have the time and work divided, Alex also takes care of the drinks more and I take care of the food. Communication can always be improved, we are learning a lot.
One of the things we agreed on is that we wanted a great team and we have surrounded ourselves with very valuable people with whom we learn a lot every day. There is a super nice energy, the place is magical.
- What is the name of the place?
Alex: It's called Munsoo, which mixes moon, from luna in English and Soo.
Luna: I liked how it sounded. My mother told me 'call it Luna, something about Luna', but it seemed pretentious to me. (Laughs). We wanted to include Soo, we have become very fond of that town, its people have treated us very well from the beginning. Almost the entire team is from Soo.
- What can we find on your menu?
Luna: you will find a very fun, very easy menu, with a lot of local produce, especially seasonal. The salad, for example, changes with the season. It was watermelon, then mango, etc. We also cook a lot with spices.
I was in Bali last year and I soaked up a lot of Balinese food. There are sandwiches, toasts, salads, hot dishes, detox juices, the hamburgers are being a spectacular success…
- I understand that you created the menu, Luna…
Luna: Yes, I created the menu, but I have to highlight the role of the chefs, who do it better than me and have improved everything. (laughs).
Alex: The menu has taken quite a long process. She put a lot of things and I took them away. To simplify our lives, especially at the opening. I have never liked places where you go and have a menu that is too big.
- You also have artistic events, don't you?
Luna: Yes, we want to support and give visibility to Canarian talent. We want to have live music, monologues, open mics, jam sessions… Things are going to happen on Singles Day, which is November 11th. We also want Munsoo to become a yoga and meditation center. A multidisciplinary center.
- What are your facilities like to be able to do all these activities?
Luna: Almost the entire restaurant is outdoors with awnings, Bali style. We are waiting for the plants to grow and everything to look greener. (Laughs). And it has a beautiful stage.
Alex: I'm a little afraid for when the bad weather comes, it's true that it doesn't rain much, but our entire place is outside. (Laughs). We have always liked the outdoors.
- You have a menu for all audiences, including vegetarian and vegan dishes…
Luna: Yes, we always bet on fruits and vegetables. You can find many vegetarian dishes.
I also try not to work with products with gluten, although I cannot say that everything is gluten-free because we have bread and the kitchen is small. I am intolerant, so for example our croquettes, which are shrimp with coconut béchamel, are breaded in coconut instead of breadcrumbs. I try to make all the preparations gluten-free.
- What are the restaurant's hours?
Luna: The kitchen is open from 11 in the morning until 10:30 at night.
- How does your presence on social networks, where you have many followers, favor or harm you?
Luna: I was afraid, I felt pressure on top of me to do it well… but I am surprised with the reception. All the people who pass by there are beautiful, beautiful inside.
Alex: I think it has helped us a lot to have followers on social networks, but I also think that anyone who does things well, with a little love and common sense, people will go to see it. So I encourage everyone who wants to do things well and create something to do it, with or without networks, because if it goes with love and desire, it will surely work.
