Kojaki is a contemporary Korean and Japanese dining concept centred around premium barbecue culture and high quality ingredients. First introduced at Expo 2020 Dubai, the restaurant quickly became one of the standout social dining experiences of the event, celebrated for its vibrant atmosphere and modern interpretation of Korean cuisine supported by Japanese techniques.

Following its success, Kojaki has announced plans to return as a permanent dining destination in Dubai, reinforcing its position within a city known for its appetite for elevated Asian dining.

The Brief

The brief was to create a new dining brand that highlights the flavours of Korea while being complemented by Japanese culinary influence. The ambition was to develop a grill focused restaurant that felt authentic yet modern, delivering high quality ingredients through contemporary techniques in a refined but approachable way.

The concept needed to translate traditional Korean dining culture into a contemporary luxury environment suitable for an international audience. It also had to perform within the high profile context of Expo 2020 while laying the foundation for a long term presence in Dubai.

Concept Development

Kojaki was conceived as a bridge between tradition and modernity. The concept draws from Korean barbecue culture at its core while integrating Japanese culinary precision to elevate flavour, technique and presentation.

The idea of shared grilling at the table became central to the experience, creating a social and immersive dining format that encourages interaction and connection. This communal approach reflects the spirit of Korean dining while aligning with contemporary global hospitality trends.

Born at Expo 2020, the brand was designed with a bold and contemporary visual language that still respects cultural authenticity. It was developed to feel vibrant, expressive and internationally relevant while remaining grounded in its culinary roots.

Explore Our Advisory Services

Design Drivers

The design direction for Kojaki focused on capturing the harmony between traditional and contemporary influences. The space was designed to feel energetic and immersive while maintaining a sense of refinement suitable for a luxury dining environment.

The grill experience was positioned as the focal point of the interior, reinforcing the social and interactive nature of the concept. Spatial planning prioritised visibility and engagement, ensuring that food preparation and dining were closely connected.

Materiality and lighting were used to create contrast between warmth and sophistication, supporting a dynamic atmosphere that shifts between lively energy and intimate dining moments.

The overall environment was intended to feel striking yet authentic, reflecting both the heritage of Korean cuisine and the precision of Japanese technique.

Explore Our Design Services

Outcome

Kojaki emerged as one of the defining dining experiences of Expo 2020 Dubai, earning strong guest engagement and establishing itself as a standout social dining concept within the event.

Following this success, the brand announced its transition into a permanent presence in Dubai, with plans for a new elevated location set to open in 2022. The next phase of Kojaki will introduce a refined interior direction and an expanded menu developed under the leadership of award winning South Korean chef Jin Chul Kim.

The upcoming iteration will build on the popularity of its grill focused dining experience while introducing new dishes alongside signature favourites. The concept continues to evolve as a modern interpretation of Korean cuisine enriched by Japanese technique, designed to deliver an immersive and memorable dining journey.

Kojaki demonstrates how a culturally rooted concept can evolve rapidly from Expo activation to permanent restaurant through strong culinary identity, considered design and a clear sense of direction.

Start Your Project With TGP International