Yen London, 190 Strand Restaurant, Traditional Japanese Cuisine, Buckwheat Soba Noodles

Yen London Restaurant at 190 Strand

Architecture Project for Onward Holdings Co. Ltd. design by Sybarite, England, UK

20 Dec 2017

Yen London Restaurant, 190 Strand, London

Location: 190 Strand, London WC2R 3DX

Phone: 020 3915 6976

Design: Sybarite

Yen London Restaurant – 190 Strand by Sybarite

SYBARITE ARCHITECTS DESIGN YEN, AN AUTHENTIC SOBA RESTAURANT IN LONDON

Overlooking the Thames at 190 Strand, Yen follows in the footsteps of its successful sister restaurant located in the St Germain de Près area of Paris and offers traditional Japanese cuisine, specialising in buckwheat soba noodles.

Guests are able to experience the art and theatre of the twice-daily noodle preparation by the restaurant’s soba specialists, Maruno Hidenori and Katsuki Sakurai, within a bespoke glass space on show to all the restaurant. Both Maruno and Sakurai trained with the “Master of Soba” Mr Takahashi Kunihiro in Yamanashi, Japan.

Yen London Restaurant, 190 Strand

Photos: GG Archard

Sybarite embraced the challenge of the initial design brief set by Onward Holdings Co. Ltd., the Japanese fashion company which includes Joseph and Jil Sander in its portfolio – in cohering with Japanese materiality, design cues and construction techniques. High ceilings emphasise verticality and light, and a timber treescape structure inspired by bamboo forests to recreate a tree canopy effect. The Japanese wood of choice, maple, has been positioned in varying thicknesses and tones around columns and across the ceiling and together, the contrasting widths of the structure allow a play of light and shadow which give the vast space a sense of both depth and intimacy.

A standout design detail is a lightweight floating timber staircase that connects the entrance to the main dining floor below. It appears as a full timber cantilevered monocoque construction, however cleverly concealed steel engineering creates a robust structure. Each timber section was carved from a single block of maple timber using artisanal carpentry methods. The staircase was a stylistic addition that Sybarite added to the brief to aid impact on entrance, allowing diners to step off the busy street into an all-encompassing Japanese experience.

At the base of the stair a white cobbled garden feature includes a 6m tall real bamboo sculptural centrepiece. Guadua and natural black bamboo poles were chosen to create contrast, similar to the multi-tonal maple treescape.

A sushi counter has been created from yellow cedar timber, which is traditionally used in Japan for many applications from housing structures to shoji screens. Japan is one of the biggest importers of yellow cedar.

At the mezzanine level, perforated Japanese inspired maple window screens have been applied internally at the entrance area to provide a greater level of privacy for customers while still maintaining views into and out of the restaurant.

Yen London Restaurant at 190 Strand

Within the restaurant’s private dining room, ambient back lighting showcases the delicacy of paper used for the Japanese inspired goutenjou (coffered) ceiling. The floor in the private dining room has been designed to mimic traditional Japanese tatami matting using Bolon woven vinyl flooring and black rubber trims – a modern robust twist, fit for restaurant application.

Both the private room and mezzanine spaces feature Japanese style metallic hand painted wallpaper by Misha, chosen for the leafy textures which are a subtle nod to the bamboo forest concept.

Simon Mitchell, co-founder, Sybarite commented: “We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to deliver a design that respects and celebrates traditional Japanese craftsmanship whilst creating a contemporary and timeless backdrop to host the capital’s next restaurant destination.”

Cristoforo Santini of Yen, said: “We are excited to bring such a unique offering to London, in a particularly exciting new development. We hope that the restaurant will become a hub of high-quality Japanese food with a great atmosphere and drinks list to match.”

About Yen
The restaurant is circa 450 sq. m. and seats 109 covers, including an 18-seat private dining room, and a sushi counter.

Yen London 190 Strand restaurant

Yen London 190 Strand – Building Information

Yen London
190 Strand
5 Arundel Street
London WC2R 3DX

www.yen-london.co.uk

Opening hours:
Breakfast: 8am-12pm
Lunch: 12-3pm
Dinner: 6-11.30pm
The bar is open all day

Twitter: @yenrestaurant
Instagram: @yenrestaurant
Facebook: http://fb.me/YenRestaurantLondon

Photographer: GG Archard

Yen London Restaurant, 190 Strand images / information from Sybarite

Sybarite

Restaurants

Website: Yen London Restaurant

Location: 190 Strand, London, WC2R 3DX, England, UK

London Building Designs

Contemporary London Architectural Designs

London Architecture Links – chronological list

London Architecture Tours – bespoke UK capital city walks by e-architect

London Architects Offices

London Architecture News

Interiors designed by Sybarite

Marni Boutique Madison Avenue, New York, USA
Marni Madison Avenue
photo : Paul Warchol
Marni Madison Avenue

Aldensley Road House, London
Aldensley Road House
photo : Simon Collins
Aldensley Road House by Sybarite Architects

Cox & Power, Marylebone High Street, London, UK
Cox & Power Store
photograph : Adrian Myers
Cox & Power London

New London Architecture

45 Park Lane Hotel
The Office of Thierry W. Despont / Paul Davis + Partners
45 Park Lane Hotel
photo : Adam Parker
45 Park Lane Hotel

Taj Crowne Plaza London St James, 51 Buckingham Gate
Design: Broadway Malyan
Taj Crowne Plaza London
image from architects
Taj Crowne Plaza London St James

Royal Albert Hall Building, west London

Comments / photos for the Yen London Restaurant, 190 StrandFlagship Store England page welcome

London