Katsuya Ko
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#HospitalityLegendary Japanese dining arrives in a new, accessible format at Katsuya Ko, the first fast-casual spinoff of Chef Katsuya Uechi’s iconic Katsuya restaurant. Located in San Diego’s La Jolla, the concept—whose name translates to “Child of Katsuya”—reimagines the brand’s Michelin-recognized excellence for a modern, high-speed audience. Our studio delivered a holistic vision for the space, providing the architecture, interior design, and brand identity to bridge the gap between fine dining and “high-end convenience.” The brand identity leans into its Japanese roots with a playful, spirited energy that extends from the environmental graphics to the packaging, reflecting a design sensibility that is simultaneously saturated with color and meticulously refined.
Since its debut, Katsuya Ko has seen immediate commercial success, drawing consistent crowds and earning critical acclaim for bringing a “spinoff” to life that feels like a destination in its own right. By harmonizing heritage with a digital-forward design language, the project has successfully established a scalable new model for the Katsuya legacy.
View the Architecture + Interior Design case study.
In Japan, this saturated orange-red (shuiro) is a symbol of energy and vitality. We chose this bold tone for the brand’s signature color to root it in tradition and provide a friendly, high-energy pop.
To evolve an icon, we distilled Chef Uechi’s signature precision into a vibrant brand language that honors its deep Japanese lineage while embracing a high-energy, modern vernacular. This “next-generation” identity acts as a bridge, ensuring the brand remains anchored in its storied heritage even as it explores a bold, digital-forward future.
Collaborating with local Los Angeles artisans, we developed custom textiles for the seating to ground the brand in a tactile reality. These carefully chosen fabrics serve as a physical thread, seamlessly weaving the playful identity into every guest touchpoint, including uniforms and napkin linens.
The centerpiece of the restaurant’s interior is a stunning mural which serves as a vibrant anchor for the restaurant’s aesthetic. This visual boldness is balanced by sophisticated architectural finishes, ensuring the space feels indulgent despite its fast-casual pace.
To mirror the surrealist energy of the mural, we curated a “sonic identity” that layers the space with a dreamy, playful ambiance. This custom playlist ensures the restaurant’s auditory experience is as immersive and intentional as its visual landscape.