A sprawling new dining venue, Gaga Chef, is making waves in Shenzhen, China.
Beyond its refined and minimalist interior, this latest venture from the Gaga brand (operated by Shenzhen GAGA Catering Management Co. Ltd) features a rotating lineup of chefs from around the world alongside visual artists.
Coordination Asia, the Shanghai-based design and architecture studio responsible for multiple previous Gaga concepts, crafted the space for Gaga Chef.
The restaurant sits within the newly opened MIXC Shenzhen Shopping Center, a destination where luxury brands compete for the attention of wealthy shoppers and diners. Tenants include Prada, Louis Vuitton, and Tiffany’s, as well as Gucci’s and Prada’s largest stores in the Asia-Pacific region.
Spanning 490 square meters (5,275 square feet), the restaurant accommodates 150 guests indoors and an additional 42 on its outdoor terrace.
Architect Tilman Thürmer, founder and design director of Coordination Asia, developed the concept alongside key team members Vega Li and Yu Yin.
Thürmer notes that Gaga, established in 2013, is a owner-operated café and eatery brand. He describes it as Shenzhen’s most popular destination for fusion cuisine, with 12 restaurants to date.
Coordination Asia has designed every Gaga concept, earning awards for several—including a Red Dot for the Wongtee Plaza in Shenzhen. While Gaga has so far confined its various concepts to Shenzhen, Thürmer confirms it is now expanding into Shanghai.
Yet Gaga Chef stands apart from all other Gaga concepts. Our favorite elements include the impressive large-scale lighting installations—all created by Coordination Asia—and the thoughtfully curated seating collection.
The chairs share a similar slender, light-legged silhouette but come from three European design houses: Strike by Arrmet, Cyborg Club by Magis, and the Beetle Dining Chair by Danish brand Gubi.
Coordination Asia is currently collaborating with Brownie on the visual artist program. Photographers scheduled for the first year include Chinese, New York-based Fan Haoran, Jiaxi & Zhe, and Welsh artist Daniel Alford. The inaugural visiting chef is Joel Bennetts from Sydney, Australia. Tuija Seipell.
