Transforming an old pastry shop in Prague into a vibrant Korean street food restaurant

Architectural studio SOA architekti was commissioned to design the interior of 'The Kimchi', located adjacent to the Masaryk railway station in Prague, Czech Republic. The project involved converting a former pastry shop while retaining some of its original structure to showcase Korean street food culture, crafted by a South Korean husband-and-wife duo.

The core concept of the restaurant focuses on serving fresh, daily-made Korean food with a limited number of servings per day to ensure quality and fast service. The floor plan is clearly divided into two main zones: the back kitchen prepares fresh ingredients, while the open front counter allows customers to watch the dish-by-dish assembly process, creating interaction between the maker and the diner.

For the interior design, the architectural team collaborated with graphic designers and the restaurant owners to establish a visual identity. They incorporated a fluid wave motif inspired by the South Korean flag as the main theme, seamlessly connecting the storefront sign, the serving counter, and the wall graphics.

The restaurant features three prominent colors: blue, red, and orange. Blue is applied to tables, benches, walls, and lighting details; white tiled walls are accented with red grout; and above the counter, an orange mesh with a textured surface adds material dimension and vibrant color to the interior atmosphere.

The seating arrangements are diverse to accommodate different customer behaviors, including window seating with street views, a communal concrete table for shared dining, and takeaway service. Together, these elements successfully blend the fast-paced urban lifestyle with the essence of Korean culture.

Source: designboom