In its third collaboration with Yatofu Creatives, Noodle story opened its doors to customers in the center of Helsinki, focusing on their commitment to representing authentic Asian food culture. In addressing the core value of their business, Yatofu wanted to emphasize the client’s own story, told through the handmade noodles and dumplings from their own Chinese heritage. The discovery of how to tell this story in a unique and meaningful way became the focus for the concept of this interior.
The design for Noodle Story is intended to feel both nostalgic and new; something familiar paired with something exceptional. In our initial search of inspiration, Yatofu came across the curio cabinet, found in an antique market, and was instantly captivated by the idea of a single object, which housed many other items, each possessing their own story, with their own meaning, and existing in their own time. This became the concept for the design of Noodle story: a space with a unique feeling, where visitors can step into the interior of a curio cabinet and find something familiar or something curious from the objects within.
The atmosphere of Noodle Story is cozy and comfortable, with the space divided into a dining area, bar, and open kitchen. The curated material selection and spatial ambiance creates an immersive experience. The dark oak finish paired against the soft sage green walls define the dining area with a warm yet open feeling. The atmosphere of the flexible bar area is both made for privacy as well as larger gatherings, enclosed by smoked oak and mirror clad surfaces. The open kitchen allows people to feel engaged and witness the process of how the food is translated from the chef's hands to the dining table.
The new Noodle Story diner is also filled with many installation-like details. The smoked oak surfaces bring a sense of warmth while providing a tactile element; the brass and metal installation on the ceilings add intricacy to the raw black concrete in a minimalistic way. These visually delicate structures continue onto the wall, becoming the mirror and candle installations that interact with the people and the food.
Chinese food culture is centred around the idea of bringing people together, and the sharing of culture creates a sense of belonging. Noodle Story’s new location not only makes a visual and aesthetic statement, but by combining good food with a connective experience, visitors are able to create memorable moments filled with curiosity and meaning.