We invited the creators of Fuku Ramen, Jakub and Aleksandra Karczewski, to join us for a conversation. Together, they brought to life a restaurant where the spirit of Japan and its exquisite cuisine reign supreme. This slice of Asia in the heart of Amsterdam also features a Polish touch: bar-style reimaginings of the iconic 200-190 chairs designed by Teofil Hałas.
What is the restaurant's interior inspired by?
When designing the interior, we wanted it to be cozy yet raw, full of natural colors and materials. Among other things, we used concrete, old wood, and reused old elements found in the previous restaurant. The style that inspired us was "Japandi" but also the Japanese philosophy of "Wabi-sabi." The concept of the restaurant is based on the concept of "Omakase" which from Japanese means "I leave it to you". Guests are served a 5-course tasting-surprise menu, which includes a main course of ramen in various forms. The heart of the interior is an 8-seat bar from which guests can watch the chef preparing dishes.
Your interiors are thought out to the last detail, what other interesting design elements can be seen in Fuku Ramen?
In addition to the classics from 366 Concept, we definitely have some interesting details. One of them is a hand-cast concrete bar top that is more than 8 meters long and finished with more than 100-year-old beams that once served as the floor of a train.
What is most important to you when thinking about creating a space that is welcoming and inclusive for visitors?
Our main goal was for the kitchen to be open, so that guests sitting at the bar but also in other areas of the restaurant could observe what was going on in the kitchen. Of course we also wanted functionality, but also comfort and flexibility of space. Thanks to the fact that some guests sit on two long benches, we can freely change the configuration of tables for groups of 2 to even 8 people.
