Seoul’s street food culture reimagined in Prague
Situated near Prague’s bustling Masaryk Railway Station, The Kimchi brings a slice of Seoul to the city by transforming a former pastry shop. Guided by @soaarchitekti, this Korean restaurant harmonizes fresh daily dishes with architectural elements that echo Korean street food culture, culinary traditions, and pop flair.
The restaurateurs, a Korean husband-and-wife team, focus on delivering swift yet high-quality cuisine. Fresh ingredients, prepared daily in limited portions, bridge the two main zones: a back-of-house kitchen for ingredient prep, and a front serving counter for final assembly in full view of guests. This setup enhances efficiency and transparency, truly immersing diners in the creative cooking process.
All images ©Studio Flusser
A vibrant wave motif and bold design palette
The restaurant’s identity, co-created by the architects, graphic designer, and owners, features a dynamic wave motif inspired by the Korean flag. This design thread ties together the restaurant’s façade, serving areas, and wall graphics, blending architectural and graphic elements seamlessly.
The color scheme of blue, red, and orange is pivotal. Blue saturates tables, benches, walls, and lighting—integrating a cohesive visual flow. Red grout contrasts the white tile grid, while a textured orange mesh above the counter adds depth and vibrancy, firmly rooting the space in its Korean cultural origins.
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Adaptable dining spaces elevate the experience
The Kimchi’s seating is versatile, offering window views, communal seating, and easy takeaway options. Patrons can watch meal preparations unfold at an open counter, dine at a communal table, or opt to take away. This flexibility, combined with a unified aesthetic and open kitchen concept, ties together the urban dining ethos with Korean street food’s swift pace and vibrancy.
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An open counter seamlessly connects culinary preparation with the dining environment, while a sweeping wave motif anchors the design identity.
Bold blue tables and benches further amplify the graphic theme, instilling a sense of unity.
Flexible layouts accommodate everything from intimate meals to gatherings and takeout, while textured orange mesh enriches the environment above the serving area.
Red grout provides a striking accent to the white wall tiles, enhancing the overall design.
A trio of vivid colors—blue, red, and orange—drives the restaurant’s visual theme.
Strategically placed window seating connects patrons intimately with the bustling street outside.
The details behind the design
- Project name: The Kimchi
- Architect: SOA architekti | @soaarchitekti
- Location: Havlíčkova 1682/15, Prague, Czech Republic
- Lead architects: Štefan Šulek, Matěj Střecha
- Gastronomy production: InGastro
- Graphic design: Tomáš Eisner
- Carpentry work: Alan Sekula
- Lighting: U1 Lighting
- Hand-painted signage: Daniel Plavecký
- Client: The Kimchi | @thekimchi_cz
- Photographer: Studio Flusser | @studioflusser
Sources & Links
Source: designboom.com
Frequently asked questions
Where is The Kimchi restaurant located in Prague?
The Kimchi is located near Prague’s Masaryk Railway Station at Havlíčkova 1682/15, Prague, Czech Republic.
What design elements are featured at The Kimchi?
The Kimchi features a dynamic wave motif inspired by the Korean flag, with a color scheme of blue, red, and orange. The restaurant’s design includes bold blue tables and benches, red grout with white tiles, and a textured orange mesh above the counter.
Who designed The Kimchi restaurant in Prague?
The Kimchi restaurant was designed by SOA architekti, with lead architects Štefan Šulek and Matěj Střecha, along with contributions from graphic designer Tomáš Eisner.