The bare essentials: Chinese noodle chain opens Soviet Style bar

The concrete and white tile interior of the Mary Wong noodle bar by Moscow agency Fork is set off by neon and wood accents. The bare, unfinished styling reflects the Soviet Style design trend identified by LS:N Global in 2013. ‘We decided to abandon the traditional institutions for Asian motifs and a play on feelings,’ explains the Fork website.

The fast food chain also underwent a rebranding this year by Fork. The new takeaway packaging shuns the typical bold and brash designs that sometimes go hand in hand with fast food chains. Geometric sans-serif typography and a monochrome colour palette make the packaging feel sophisticated and modern. 

For more on Soviet Style aesthetics, see our Soviet Style microtrend and our Survivability design direction.