Shinobi

Design narrative

Shinobi is a 4,000 sq ft Japanese restaurant in Al-Wasl road where the raw energy of New York meets the cultural aesthetic of Japan. Turnstile entrances set the scene for a transition from street to sanctuary, authentic interactions in a street setting. Diner-style booths and clear wayfinding keep guests comfortable as they drift through this layered environment.

The handroll bar at the heart of the restaurant facilitates community interactions by providing a shared experience to strangers.

Painted metal columns lifted directly from subway infrastructure stand alongside a façade reminiscent of a New York building with weathered red bricks and exposed metal pipes. Wrought iron street style furniture on the exterior brings out the New York atmosphere, while graffiti-clad walls make it a point to hold back nothing when it comes to representing culture as it is. Seating takes its cue from the original orange vinyl benches of New York’s transit system.

Overhead, Barisol light panels framed by a black grid reinterpret tatami-mat geometry, and Helvetica- inspired signage punctuates each zone in balance with Japanese station signages too. The collision of orange seating, stark tile, layered graffiti, and industrial metal creates a high-contrast tableau. Japanese lettering and bold typography draw the eye across surfaces, while the section cut subway car banquette seating on the inside, with New York elements on the walls and floor.