One of the many things that astonish visitors when they first arrive in Tokyo is discovering that some of the restaurants recommended in the guides are located inside train stations and underground stops. Even the protagonist of Wim Wenders’ enchanting Perfect Days (2023) includes in his serene zen routine a daily visit to a restaurant tucked away in the darkness of a metro station. A truly innovative choice for those of us who, with (justified, based on our experience) suspicion, tend to view railway eateries as places fit only for a quick bite before a journey.
Ramen Street
One of the most celebrated food districts in the vast Japanese capital is the so-called Ramen Street in the belly of Tokyo Station, in the Marunouchi business district, through which around 400,000 people pass every day. An underground street lined with eight establishments specialising in noodle soups, considered among the best in the city, where often long queues form in front of the colourful vending machines used to place your order (usually, for us Westerners, by looking at the pictures and hoping for the best). In short, a cluster of eateries that together offer an unusual and very authentic experience – the kind of atmosphere Tam Street aims to recreate in the pulsating heart of Turin, just a stone’s throw from Porta Nuova station. It seeks to become a new urban destination, blending contemporary quality Asian cuisine with a narrative design in a scalable, dynamic, and novel format for the city’s scene, reminiscent of the electrifying signs of Kodawari in Paris and somewhat also of Milan’s Roppongi.
Narrative design
The mind behind this project is Gianluca Bocchetta, founder and CEO of Velvet Studio, a creative laboratory based in Turin and Milan, specialising in transforming places into immersive experiences, shaping new ways of living and interacting with the environment. Among its iconic projects are the revitalisation of Piazza Carlina in Turin, international developments in New York and Miami, and the creation of the Barriera Design District. For Tam Street, Velvet has imagined a journey: an ideal underground line that catapults travellers from Turin into the vibrant heart of Asia, among night markets, neon signs, and pulsing metropolises. “We reflected,” says Bocchetta, “on the element of innovation to introduce: a design that is partly evocative, partly our personal interpretation of the concept of contemporary Asia. Some elements, such as the illuminated signs, the banners with urban traffic, the Japanese metro stop, are direct references. Other spaces, however, are original reinterpretations: modern lanterns, metallic suspended ceilings, decorations designed to let the visitor’s gaze wander while exploring authentic yet accessible Asian flavours.”
What’s on the menu
The gastronomic offering follows the same philosophy: a few iconic dishes, carefully selected, at democratic prices, to offer a fast yet intense journey to the East. A contemporary idea that also inspired the architectural scenography: instead of chasing a cold, futuristic minimalism, Velvet chose to create a warm, immersive container. The ambition of Tam Street is to be the potential first step of a broader project – a small urban hub where food, design, and culture meet, actively contributing to the transformation of contemporary Turin.
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