Zaza Ramen. Milano, Italy
The restaurant’s interior design reflects its personality in an original way and helps to reinforce its message by emphasizing a few iconic elements. It is located on two floors, and from the outside looking in through the large windows, the impact is of a space that is convivial, right, and informal but elegant in its simplicity, where a poetic Japanese sprit penetrates the minimalist but stylish furnishings in natural materials, details, and an idea of lightness.
Upon entering, we come upon a large table – a sign of conviviality and of a restaurant that aims to be a space where people can interact without barriers. It is lit by a large white cloud, with a visible metallic frame that supports the pure white material.
It is an entirely open space: diners can sit on stools in front of the long side bar on the left of the restaurant that separates the dining area from the kitchen and watch the chefs at work; there are also wooden tables of varying heights from which the kitchen can be observed. The cumulative effect is one of motion on different levels, which speaks to the flexibility and informality that the restaurant aims to convey.
On the lower level, the most important visual element is the open kitchen: the area where the broths and fresh pasta are prepared is separated from the rest of the restaurant only by glass. The rectangular tables are made of sections of cut wood, highlighting the irregularity of the bark on one side.
The walls are covered by long slabs of natural stone, and the suffused lighting varies throughout the interior but always relates in some way to iconic Japanese elements: over the counter, large surfaces covered with simple Japanese fabrics
are mounted over an illuminated background; on stone shelves there are small lampshades assembled in interesting forms; and from the ceiling hang light bulb protectors similar to those used in the famous Tsukiji fish market in Tokyo. Once again, the concept of assembly is the common thread in both the design and the dishes, guided by a
subtle creative irony that turns everyday objects into elements of design.
An iron bookcase with wooden shelves holds internally illuminated glass vases for hydroponic plants and two porcelain Maneki neko, the “beckoning cats” considered a lucky charm in Japan, in this case from the Meiji period.
The table accessories are in subdued tones, with ceramic bowls in different colors for each type of Ramen served (meat, fish, vegetable) accompanied by the traditional bamboo chopsticks and ceramic spoon.
In the window is a unique hanging installation composed of bowls with reproductions of the Ramen dishes on offer.
