DefuneBranding and menu design for a West End Japanese restaurant

Defune, the longest-running Japanese restaurant in London’s West End, is renowned for traditional Teppanyaki dining, where skilled chefs prepare food tableside, creating a unique and immersive experience for diners.




The branding was inspired by the concept of a Defune, a traditional large sailboat that would leave a village in search of fine goods. The sailboat logo was stylized to echo the smooth forms of zen garden pebbles, reflecting the restaurant’s relaxed atmosphere. Across the identity, traditional Japanese water textile patterns reinforced the authenticity and heritage of the cuisine.

Restaurant menus were cloth-bound with white foil-blocked covers and paper inlays featuring undulating wave patterns. Each menu was colour-coded and paired with distinctive illustrative graphics, helping staff identify them at a glance while delivering a tactile, thoughtful experience for diners. The resulting identity balances authenticity, functionality, and visual elegance across every touchpoint. 



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