MENYA ITTO

May 7
2 min read

Designing the No.1 Ramen Restaurant from Japan

Category : F&B

Design by : Collective Studio

Constructed by : Thaiboon

Location : Erawan, Bangkok

Completed : July 2017

Japanese Ramen Restaurant Design — บรรยากาศสบายๆของ Menya Itto

People often ask us whether we can design spaces in styles other than the bold, edgy, and energetic projects we are usually known for.

Most of the restaurants we showcase tend to be vibrant dining spaces, bars, or highly expressive concepts—so some people are surprised when they discover that we also enjoy designing calm, refined, and minimalist environments as well.

This project became the perfect opportunity to reveal another side of The Collective Studio.

Bringing Japan’s No.1 Ramen to Thailand

Menya Itto is one of the most famous ramen restaurants in Tokyo, highly regarded for its signature Tsukemen menu.

The restaurant was ranked as one of Japan’s top ramen destinations by Tabelog, a platform widely trusted by food enthusiasts and travelers searching for exceptional dining experiences in Japan.

Long queues lasting several hours are not uncommon for customers hoping to experience its renowned bowls of ramen.

When the brand prepared to open a branch in Thailand, we were invited to design the restaurant experience for the local market.

Design Philosophy

For this project, we intentionally pursued a more restrained and minimalist approach.

The goal was simple:

To allow the food itself to become the true centerpiece of the experience.

We aimed to preserve the understated identity of the original Tokyo restaurant while subtly elevating the atmosphere to suit the premium retail environment in Thailand.

The design language therefore focused on:

Simplicity
Warm minimalism
Precision in material selection
Japanese spatial discipline

Spatial Planning & Kitchen Design

One of the biggest challenges in this project was balancing seating capacity with comfort.

Japanese ramen restaurants often require highly efficient layouts to maximize functionality while still maintaining an intimate dining atmosphere.

Another major complexity came from the kitchen planning.

Many kitchen systems and equipment pieces were imported directly from Japan, with installation documentation provided entirely in Japanese. Coordinating the technical layout therefore required careful interpretation and precise planning throughout the construction process.

Materials & Details

Material selection became an especially delicate process.

Wood played the central role throughout the restaurant, but rather than using a single texture, we carefully combined multiple wood grains and finishes to create subtle layering while maintaining harmony across the entire space.

Every element—from furniture proportions to finishes and detailing—was refined to capture the authenticity and precision associated with Japanese interior design.

The final result became a restaurant that feels quiet, warm, and intentional.

A space that does not compete with the food, but instead allows the ramen experience to take center stage.