Burnt Beauty: Nice Projects’ Odem Elevates Korean Cuisine in Singapore.

In Singapore’s New Bahru creative cluster, a new hospitality venue celebrates contemporary Korean cuisine, craft, and design. Odem, a makgeolli bar and restaurant designed by Nice Projects, offers a unique experience that blends traditional Korean elements with an uber-cool aesthetics.

Odem’s interior design, led by Nice Projects founders Sacha Leong and Simone McEwan, showcases the duo’s deep understanding of the complex relationship between interior design and brand identity. The space features a striking combination of materials, including half-charred wood panels that line the interior, creating a dramatic and moody atmosphere.

Sacha Leong explains the inspiration behind this key design element: “I came across charred timber as a material when I was researching makgeolli wineries in Korea. I loved the burnt effect, so we made some material samples and played with creating a simple pattern.”

Claudine French Restaurant in Singapore by Nice Projects.

Tthis richly layered hospitality venue is housed within a 1930s Ebenezer chapel reimagined with a fresh new identity.

The 32-cover restaurant and bar features thoughtful design elements that blend Korean traditions with contemporary aesthetics. Red-stained timber chairs, created in collaboration with Seoul-based Studio Word, are paired with custom granite-topped tables, offering a striking visual contrast. The bar, a focal point of the space, is clad in handmade ceramic tiles that pay homage to traditional Korean onggi pots, while a built-in makgeolli display showcases Odem’s signature flavours.

Overhead, a suspended metal ceiling and silver window blinds nod to Korea’s rich metalwork tradition. Lacquered waiter stations with metal detailing draw inspiration from traditional Korean joinery, adding a touch of cultural authenticity. The lighting design further enhances the ambience, with brushed metal wall sconces by Dutch designer Paul Coenen complementing fabric pendant lights by Seoul-based AGO Lighting.

Simone McEwan emphasises the team’s approach: “We wanted to create a space that referenced Korea but had its own strong individual identity. Some Korean interiors can feel quite cold, and it was important to us that there was a crafted human touch.”

Six Hospitality Interiors that Prove Less is More.

Sneaker Pimps playing in the background). From Newcastle to Lisbon via Seoul and Helsinki, we share six hospo-havens proving that less is in fact, more.

Odem’s kitchen is helmed by talented Korean chef Yumi Bae, who brings Korea’s diverse culinary traditions to life. The restaurant specialises in makgeolli, a traditional rice wine that’s gaining popularity in Singapore.

Established in 2020 by Simone McEwan and Sacha Leong, Nice Projects brings a wealth of experience to the table. With a focus on creating sustainable, high-quality spaces, the studio aims to provoke “the warmest of feelings” through their work.

Odem is a prime example of Nice Projects’ ability to create interiors that are both functional and emotionally resonant. By skilfully blending cultural references, innovative materials, and thoughtful design, they’ve delivered a space that tells a compelling story through its interior architecture and ambience.

Open Flame Dining: Arkhé Adelaide by Studio Gram.

Adelaide's bar and dining room, Arkhé, responds to the ritual of cooking over the fire through the ephemeral nature of time and decay.

[Images courtesy of Nice Projects. Photography by Lisa Cohen.]