Noodle Story – Corner Eatery
Opening its doors during the darkest months of Helsinki’s winter, Noodle Story was conceived by a former accountant who sought to realize her passions in opening a restaurant that served the Asian noodle dishes from her childhood. Despite limited time and resources, they knew they wanted their restaurant to look and feel like home, for themselves and for their customers. To support their business concept, Yatofu Creatives was tasked with creating an interior that evoked the comforting and familiar nostalgia of their native country.
Inspired by the eateries of old Shanghai and the “Dai Pai Dong” (food stalls) of Hong Kong, Yatofu Creatives created an interior modeled after the warmth and inviting character of these types of establishments. They extracted elements such as the traditional stall signage and cart structures, and melded them with Nordic design sensibilities.
We wanted to recreate the feeling of visiting these types of places in Hong Kong, especially at nighttime. Traditionally, these types of restaurants or food stalls are open from the afternoon until early morning, drawing in a wide mix of customers regardless of purpose or social status. It is essentially a common kitchen for the city’s people, where the light is always on and the food is always good.
Interior photography: Meela Leino