Kappo Kappo
Project info
Kappo Kappo
- Location
- Austin
- Type
- Restaurant & Bar
- Year
- 2026
An intimate 25-seat restaurant within Austin Proper, Kappo Kappo is shaped by the Japanese tradition of kappo dining and the relationship between chef and guest. Fifteen seats gather at the chef’s counter, with an open kitchen and closely considered flow bringing diners directly into the preparation and ritual of each course. The experience informed the architecture from the outset, creating an immersive setting where food, craft, and environment are experienced as one.
Native cypress anchors the interiors, treated with the Japanese shou sugi ban technique and stained a deep green, while handmade tile wraps the room in subtle variations of tone and glaze. Illuminated millwork screens reinterpret traditional shoji while concealing the functional elements of service, and custom quilted fiberglass works by artist Minjae Kim introduce a softer, more organic geometry. Leathered stone tables, ebonized sandblasted pine chairs, and vintage art and objects complete the space, balancing Japanese references with local Austin craft and a sense of history.
