Chef and owner Brian Kim, who helmed the now-shuttered Oiji in New York’s East Village, has introduced a new restaurant, Oiji Mi, in the Flatiron District. AvroKO envisioned a sophisticated design, which embodies the Korean word “jeong” or a warm feeling of love and deep attachment, for the new restaurant. To stand out amongst the neighborhood’s robust culinary landscape, the concept welcomes guests with a clean sense of a place that channels the coziness of a Korean abode.
“The restaurant’s mission was to be simultaneously nostalgic and modern, so we merged two contrasting themes to get there: the traditional Korean hanok home and the social clubs of Flatiron in the early 20th century,” says Lexie Aliotti, co-managing director of AvroKO’s New York studio. “We wanted guests to feel like they were straddling two places in a liminal state—not quite Korea and not quite New York.”
The refined ambiance evokes warmth via a palette of gentle pink and green hues, while luxe details, like decorative brass knobs and armature lighting, convey a restrained quality. Bold marble surfaces, rich leather and velvet fabrics, and dark walnut are incorporated into the interior design as a nod to the legacy of Manhattan social clubs.
Korean design influences abound as well, with the main dining room oriented like a traditional external courtyard, with pebbled stone floors and framed by doubled-up wood beams characteristic of the region’s buildings. Custom elements—including delicate pendants, large sconces, a radiant chandelier—pull inspiration from the shapes and textures of traditional jewelry and hair pieces, and an intricate art feature installed above the main bar pays homage to the Korean textile art of Jogakbo.
More from HD:
The Best New Rooftop Pools Across the Globe
Nobu Hotel Barcelona Marries Japanese and Spanish Design
What I’ve Learned Podcast: Little Wing Lee
