Santokki Restaurant: Asian Restaurant Interior Design with Industrial Aesthetic by Tadu Arquitetura

A Global Influence in a Local Context

In the heart of São Paulo, Santokki Restaurant by Tadu Arquitetura redefines the experience of Asian dining through an immersive interior that blends global references with industrial rawness. The project is rooted in the idea of “creative Asian” cuisine—one that traverses multiple geographies, inspiring not only the food but also the spatial organization and architectural language. The concept weaves through cultural nodes like Chinatown, Seoul, Tokyo, Beijing, and São Paulo, resulting in an eclectic yet cohesive Asian restaurant interior design with industrial aesthetic.

Spatial Programming through Atmosphere and Identity

The spatial layout was conceived as a fragmented yet connected sequence of seven experiential zones, cut into the original rectangular floorplate. Each of these zones delivers a distinct sensory atmosphere—from informal street-side dining to intimate private rooms with sweeping city views. The journey begins at the sidewalk, where low tables and a souvenir shop invite passersby to engage casually with the space, blurring the boundary between city life and restaurant culture.

Beyond the vibrant orange curtain lies a foyer with two- and four-seat arrangements, leading to a specialized bar area that showcases Santokki’s signature drinks. The main dining room, featuring built-in Korean barbecue tables and visible exhaust systems, forms the heart of the experience. An open kitchen behind the dining space reinforces transparency and culinary artistry, allowing guests to engage with the preparation of vibrant, flavor-rich dishes.

At the end of this spatial procession is a private dining room — a custom-designed setting for up to eight guests, specifically created to enhance group barbecue dining with a stunning panoramic view of São Paulo.

Designing Ambience with Industrial Warmth

What defines Santokki’s identity is not just its layout, but its interior design philosophy, which embraces unfinished materials and exposed systems as aesthetic choices. Cement floors, concrete block walls, visible cable trays, and raw steel conduits give the space an industrial backbone. But this harshness is softened through Asian-inspired design touches and warm material inserts.

Wood and steel panels with large round portholes are used to subtly divide spaces without compromising visual permeability. Glass bricks, orange curtains, and dim lighting add layers of intimacy and color. The materials palette, though minimal and raw, creates an inviting and curated environment that matches the vibrancy of the food being served.

Furniture as Cultural Extension

The furniture collection in Santokki is entirely custom-made, drawing direct influence from traditional Asian restaurant seating. It favors lightweight, adaptable pieces that are easy to replace, affordable, and contextually appropriate. These loose elements further underline the architectural ethos of flexibility, functionality, and cultural authenticity. Alongside this, branding components such as signage, illuminated displays, and wall illustrations embed Santokki’s narrative into every corner of the space.

Architecture as a Flavorful Experience

At its core, Santokki is more than a dining space—it’s a multi-sensory architectural expression of culinary creativity and cultural fusion. Tadu Arquitetura’s careful attention to industrial textures, spatial choreography, and Asian visual language gives rise to a unique restaurant interior design that is grounded in identity while remaining globally resonant.

  All Photographs are works of Arthur Duarte