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The Kimchi Restaurant: SOA Architekti Brings Seoul’s Energy to Prague

SOA architekti have designed The Kimchi, a new restaurant in Prague that fuses Korean street food culture with contemporary design inspired by the vibrant energy of Seoul.

News Published 18 July 2026 4 min read Mara Ellison

Imagen destacada del articulo fuente

Prague’s culinary scene has a new vibrant addition with The Kimchi, a restaurant designed by the architectural studio SOA architekti. Located near Masaryk Railway Station, the project transformed a former pastry shop into a space that serves authentic Korean street food with a design ethos deeply rooted in Korean culture and contemporary urban energy.

Inspired by a Korean couple’s vision to bring fast, fresh, and high-quality Korean street food to Prague, the design aims to offer more than just a meal. It seeks to provide a compact visual and gastronomic experience, channeling the dynamism of Seoul’s street culture.

A Wave of Design

The central design motif of The Kimchi is a dynamic wave, subtly referencing the Korean flag. This visual element is woven throughout the restaurant’s identity, appearing in the exterior signage, the main serving counter, and integrated into the wall graphics. This consistent use of the wave motif creates a cohesive and memorable aesthetic.

Bold Color Palette

SOA architekti employed a striking color palette to define the restaurant’s unique identity. The dominant use of blue unifies various elements, including the tables, bench seating, wall finishes, and lighting details. This is complemented by the energetic contrast of red and orange. Red grout within a grid of white tiles adds depth, while a textured orange mesh above the serving counter injects vibrancy and visual interest.

Culinary Experience and Design

The interior design is a thoughtful blend of Korean culinary tradition, contemporary pop culture, and the visual energy of Seoul. The clients, a Korean husband-and-wife team, aimed to create a space that reflects their personal venture and everyday life, emphasizing authenticity, freshness, and quality.

The operational concept is divided into two zones: a back-of-house kitchen for ingredient preparation and a visible serving counter where final dish assembly occurs. This open approach allows guests to witness the preparation of their meals, enhancing the sense of freshness and direct connection to the food. Ingredients are prepared daily, and a limited number of servings contribute to the feeling of a personal culinary experience.

Urban Dining with a Personal Touch

The Kimchi offers a fresh take on fast food, combining the efficiency of urban dining with a personal story and a distinctive architectural experience. Guests have various seating options, from window-side spots to a communal concrete table, or they can opt for takeaway. The collaboration between the architects, graphic designer, and clients was crucial in developing a concept that is both visually engaging and functionally effective.

About SOA Architekti

SOA architekti is an architectural studio founded in 2015 by Štefan Šulek, Ondřej Píhrt, and Ondřej Laciga. Based in Prague, the studio, whose name stands for “Sons of Architecture,” initially focused on interior and residential projects but has since expanded its specialization to educational and school buildings. Their work is guided by principles of beauty, respect, and responsibility, with a strong emphasis on client collaboration, treating them as integral members of the project team.

This project is relevant to Paionia7 readers interested in innovative commercial interior design and the integration of cultural narratives within architectural spaces. It highlights how architects can translate specific cultural elements and client visions into tangible, experiential environments that enhance the user’s dining experience.

Source: Amazing Architecture, https://amazingarchitecture.com/restaurant/the-kimchi-prague-czech-republic-by-soa-architekti