The Cookai Restaurant holds a special place in my heart—it was the first project I undertook when I established my firm in 2019. This project was an incredible opportunity to bring together cultural heritage, personal storytelling, and design philosophy into one space.
The Story Behind Cookai
Cookai was born from a heartfelt story of love and cultural fusion. A local businessman fell in love with a Japanese woman when they met in a restaurant in New Zealand that carried a similar name. After moving to Kuching, the woman’s parents from Osaka, Japan decided to bring a piece of their home to Malaysia, opening a restaurant that celebrates Japanese cuisine and heritage.
Located in Saradise, Kuching, Cookai Restaurant has been operating successfully since 2019, offering a taste of Japan in a space designed to immerse visitors in a tranquil and refined ambiance.
Design Inspiration
The inspiration for Cookai’s interior was deeply rooted in Japanese aesthetics, drawing elements from the sea, the mountains, and timber—three core aspects of Japan’s natural landscape.
- The Wavy Ceiling Feature
- Inspired by traditional Japanese wave patterns (Seigaiha – 青海波), this element symbolizes the vastness and fluidity of the sea, paying homage to Japan’s maritime culture.
- It also reflects the journey of the restaurant’s owners—from Japan to New Zealand to Malaysia, much like the waves of the ocean connecting different shores.
- The Use of Timber
- Timber is Japan’s national building material, known for its warmth and organic beauty.
- In Cookai, timber elements were incorporated through slatted wooden partitions and furnishings, creating a serene, structured, yet modern atmosphere while staying true to Japanese design principles.
- Natural & Earthy Palette
- To balance the wood tones, earthy hues and lush greenery were introduced, reflecting the mountainous landscapes of Japan and bringing an added layer of tranquility to the space.
A Lasting Impression
Cookai was not just a design project—it was a cultural bridge that intertwined heritage, personal narratives, and spatial artistry.
From concept to completion, the goal was to transport guests into a space that feels both authentically Japanese and welcomingly modern.
This project marked the beginning of my journey as an independent interior designer, and I will always be grateful for the trust placed in me to bring this vision to life.
Cookai continues to thrive today, a testament to the beauty of storytelling through design.
