If the popularity of BTS, K-pop Demon Hunters, and K-Beauty powerhouses like Laneige are any indication, Korean culture has officially catapulted into the global mainstream. The nation’s culinary offerings have been on the same trajectory: Mukbang videos, for instance, exploded on TikTok during the pandemic, and dishes like ramyeon and bibimbap are now popping up more frequently than ever in online searches. Restaurants worldwide are hopping on the bandwagon with trendy fusion concepts that marry Korean flavours with cuisines as diverse as French and Mexican. Others, however, are staying closer to their roots. The Kimchi, a new quick-service restaurant in Prague, is one of them, founded by a Korean husband-and-wife team who set out to bring an authentic street food experience to the Czech capital.
Located next to Prague’s Masaryk Railway Station, the restaurant takes the place of a former bakery. Local firm SOA architekti was tapped to give the space a complete visual overhaul, while partially preserving its original layout. The space is divided into two interconnected zones — the back-of-house, where food prep takes place, and the service counter, where the final assembly of each dish happens. In this way, the restaurant is not only designed for workflow efficiency but also to spotlight its attention to quality, authenticity and accessibility.
Perhaps the most striking aspect of the interior is its punchy palette — red, white and blue, in a nod to the Korean flag. Its wave motif also inspired a number of design elements throughout, from the exterior signage to the scalloped red service counter that holds court at the heart of the space. Unexpected choices like the menu board, clad in a coral basketweave, red grout, and cobalt seating from Petit Friture give the interior a bold, graphic appeal that evokes the vibrant urban energy of Seoul.
Toward the back of the restaurant, the mood becomes more subdued: one vignette pairs a sculptural communal concrete table with black stools for a casual setup; another features a powder blue tiled banquette with wooden tables and chairs.
Referencing Korean culture without leaning into the expected tropes, The Kimchi’s contemporary design reflects Korean cuisine’s promotion from specialty offering to global phenomenon. Though the restaurant may focus on traditional fare, its interior is anything but, presenting a fresh take on fast casual — one that makes a strong case for dining in.
The post In Prague, a Korean Restaurant Embraces a Graphic Palette appeared first on Azure Magazine.
