AFURI

The challenge

The project's goal was ambitious: to bring the essence of Japanese street food, characterized by its simplicity, authenticity, and quality, to a European context without losing its identity, but adapting it to the level of a premium restaurant.

To achieve this, three strategic pillars were defined:

• High-quality product: ramen as the star of the show, made with fresh, carefully selected ingredients.

• Strategic location: Chiado, one of Lisbon's most exclusive and busiest neighborhoods, ideal for attracting a cosmopolitan crowd.

• Experiential design: a welcoming, minimalist, and sophisticated space, aligned with the brand's values.

Our solution

HMY Group approached the project as a complete gastronomic retail challenge, applying its experience in the design, manufacture, and installation of customized commercial spaces.

Notable solutions include:

•Custom furniture: tables, chairs, benches, and bars in wood and metal, inspired by Japanese aesthetics, combining functionality and elegance.

•Decoration and ambiance: warm, natural materials that evoke Japanese tradition, reinforcing the feeling of authenticity.

•Emotional lighting: developed by Retail Lighting (HMY + Lledó), with a lighting design intended to create an intimate and sophisticated atmosphere.

•Cultural adaptation: a balance between Japanese essence and European expectations, resulting in an aesthetic reinterpretation without losing the original identity.

Adapting a culinary experience to new markets does not require sacrificing authenticity, but rather reinterpreting the offering from a local perspective without losing sight of its essence. HMY has demonstrated its ability to act as a “glocal” partner, integrating global vision with local execution and creating tailor-made solutions that enhance brand identity.