UA | ENG
Architects: Kateryna Denysenko, Iryna Kopachinska, Anna Sukhanova | Creative supervision: Slava Balbek, Lena Bryantseva | Project managers: Kseniia Khryplyvets, Nadiia Martynova | Procurement manager: Kateryna Kvishchuk | 3D Artist: Oleksandra Drutska | Photo credits: Mykhailo Lukashuk
The project was designed as a layered and vibrant space that combines the atmosphere of a Kyiv urban café, a funky aesthetic, and Japanese cuisine. The concept is inspired by the philosophy of Wakon Yōsai — a contemporary interpretation of Japanese values, where traditional Eastern materials and ambiance are seamlessly integrated into modern Western culture.
81 Funky Japanese is located in Kyiv’s historic city center, near the Golden Gate district. During the day, it operates as a kissaten-style café serving breakfasts and lunches, while in the evening it transforms into a relaxed destination for sushi, sharing plates, and cocktails.
The restaurant’s identity references +81, Japan’s international dialing code. A telephone cord, resembling a noodle strand, became the key visual motif of the brand. As part of the restaurant consultancy services provided by balbek bureau, the team also developed the venue’s visual identity system. A playful pufferfish character appears across social media content, food packaging, and selected interior details, creating a recognizable and cohesive brand experience.
Located in a semi-basement space, balbek bureau faced a key challenge: drawing attention to the restaurant from people passing by while keeping the building’s historic façade unchanged and respecting its architectural heritage.
Another challenge was the limited access to natural daylight in some areas of the venue. This led to the introduction of illuminated wall panels that create a gradual transition from the front dining room, filled with daylight from street-facing windows, to the deeper rooms, where artificial lighting recreates a similarly warm and comfortable atmosphere.
Welcome to the Multifaceted House of Flavors!
The first element visitors encounter is the bar counter, whose geometry references the silhouette of traditional Japanese tiled roofs. Behind the counter, a stainless-steel panel features a printed traditional ramen recipe in Japanese, while the shelving system extends seamlessly into the wall cladding of the adjacent dining room.
The design also embraces the Japanese appreciation for odd numbers. Three bar stools, three shelving sections, and five rows of roof tiles are among the recurring motifs integrated throughout the space. Elements that may feel unconventional from a European perspective are woven naturally into the restaurant’s visual language.
The walls are decorated with large-scale commissioned artworks in red frames depicting a cat and a fish. A lounge seating area at the rear of the room is highlighted by clinker brick cladding that continues onto the sofa plinth and is enhanced with integrated lighting. Above the seating area, a dynamic text installation displays a rotating selection of Japanese expressions:
わくわく (wakuwaku) — anticipation, excitement, and curiosity.
遊び心 (asobigokoro) — a playful spirit.
ときめく (tokimeku) — the feeling of joy, excitement, or affection when something deeply resonates with you.
わいわい (waiwai) — lively, cheerful, and bustling energy.
While researching Japanese hospitality culture, the design team sought to create an authentic atmosphere by incorporating sculptures, pottery, and furniture pieces sourced directly from Japanese vintage markets.
To simplify the process for the client, balbek bureau also provided procurement services, taking responsibility for the complete furnishing and styling of the restaurant.
The walls are clad with custom-milled veneered MDF panels featuring original illustrations by Sofia Bylym, graphic designer at the bureau. The artwork depicts iconic characters from Japanese culture, including maneki-neko cats, Daruma dolls, and goldfish.
In the evening, accent lighting draws attention to these illustrations, encouraging guests to explore the details and contributing to a more intimate and atmospheric dining experience.
The design team aimed to recreate the atmosphere of an outdoor summer terrace somewhere in southern Japan, despite the absence of natural daylight in the space. The walls are lined with fabric panels mounted on illuminated frames, creating a soft glow that references the paper screens traditionally found in Japanese homes.
As guests move through the room, their attention gradually shifts from the walls to the floor, where a dragon rendered in tile mosaic becomes the focal point. This layered composition encourages visitors to explore the space from different perspectives and engage more deeply with its details.
The transition to the restroom area is marked by a lightbox sign featuring pufferfish illustrations. The concept draws inspiration from the streets of nighttime Tokyo. Instead of conventional neon signage, the space incorporates vertical illuminated tubes reminiscent of bamboo stalks.
One of the mirrors creates an "infinite corridor" effect, adding visual depth to the compact area while also serving as a distinctive photo spot within the restaurant.
