Porker: A Japanese Dining Bar with a Contemporary Twist

Bringing the Warmth of Europe to Central Hong Kong

Following the success of 298 Nikuya Kitchen T.S.T, C.Sasaki and M.Nakanishi were approached to design Porker, a concept bar in Central, Hong Kong. The main focus of Porker is to offer aged pork dishes, particularly Japanese pork cutlet, paired with a selection of drinks. As a sister brand of Studio C8's long-standing client, the team was thrilled to take on the challenge of designing this new dining experience.

Porker exudes charm with its classical lighting, natural finished timber floor, and mosaic pattern designed table tops. The earthy color palette of wood, green, and grey-beige walls creates an ambiance of casual elegance. One of the standout features is the wall decoration, carefully selected to evoke imagination and playfulness, reflecting the wordplay between "porker" and "poker."

The design team faced the challenge of working with a narrow and elongated space. However, they turned this disadvantage into an advantage by implementing a simple and functional interior layout. The circulation pathway was kept to a minimum width to maximize table space and create a lively atmosphere when the bar is crowded with customers.

With a total floor area of approximately 50 square meters, including a 15-square-meter kitchen and a 3-square-meter toilet, Porker makes the most of its compact space. The 3.6-meter ceiling height adds to the sense of openness and airiness.

Porker opened its doors in August 2017, after a project duration of just a few months. Located in the basement of Central Hong Kong SAR, Porker offers a unique dining experience in a bustling city. The combination of stylish elements and the warmth of wood creates a cozy and inviting atmosphere for diners to enjoy their meals.

This exceptional design has been recognized with the Bronze A' Design Award in the Interior Space, Retail, and Exhibition Design category. The award acknowledges the creativity and resourcefulness of the designers, who have successfully incorporated best practices in art, science, design, and technology to enhance the quality of life for diners at Porker.