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A Ramen Shop in Japan Inspired by Old, Pixelated Video Games

07.07.22 | By
A Ramen Shop in Japan Inspired by Old, Pixelated Video Games

If you want to feel like you’ve jumped inside a 1980’s video game, visit this ramen shop in Okinawa, Japan. It’s like a mix between Tetris and Q*bert and I’m 100% intrigued. At the start of the design process, 07BEACH only received the future name of the restaurant – Kaishin No Ichigeki – a signature phrase that comes from an old RPG (role playing game). The design takes nostalgia to the next level with its low res, pixelated look without any semblance of childishness.

restaurant interior of a pixelated white and gray design

restaurant interior of a pixelated white and gray design

closeup of restaurant interior of tables and stools with pixelated design

Everything from the flooring to the seating to the condiment displays takes on the cube aesthetic, all made from inexpensive materials. White, square ceramic tiles cover the the surfaces, while cement, wood, and carpet tiles round out the rest of the material list.

closeup of restaurant table top condiments

closeup view of wooden stools in ramen shop

The rounded stool bases soften all of the squares and straight lines.

restaurant interior shot of bar seating

While the design is inspired by video games, which could easily come across as tacky, the overall feel is both sophisticated and playful. In lieu of bright colors typically associated with video games, the restaurant is decked out in white and grey, with wood and green-colored elements.

closeup view of restaurant bar seating with stacked cube condiment

Each condiment gets its own pedestal, much like an item you’d score in a game.

interior restaurant view of pixelated design in ramen restaurant

interior restaurant view of pixelated design in ramen restaurant

restaurant closeup view of bar seating at restaurant

interior restaurant view of pixelated design in ramen restaurant

The walls feature an abstract, block-like pattern that gives nod to wavy ramen noodles.

interior restaurant view of pixelated design in ramen restaurant

interior restaurant view of pixelated design in ramen restaurant

interior restaurant view of pixelated design

interior restaurant view of pixelated design

The seating area for groups resembles a castle you’d find in a game.

interior restaurant view of pixelated design tables

interior restaurant view of pixelated design

downward view of unique tables in restaurant interior

exterior view of Japanese ramen shop

exterior view of Japanese ramen shop's pixelated sign

Even the sign, which says “つけめん” (“Tsukemen” means dipping noodles, the signature of the shop), is made up of cubes.

night view looking inside to a restaurant's interior with pixelated design

exterior night view of Japanese ramen restaurant

Photos by Yoshiaki Ida.

Caroline Williamson is Editor-in-Chief of Design Milk. She has a BFA in photography from SCAD and can usually be found searching for vintage wares, doing New York Times crossword puzzles in pen, or reworking playlists on Spotify.