KPOD

POD restaurant, by Stephen Starr, originally opened near the University of Pennsylvania campus back in 2000. Known for its three neon seating “pods” and the sushi conveyor belt, the menu featured a variety of pan-Asian cuisine.

After a massive renovation and a new partnership with renowned chef Peter Serpico, KPOD was born. KPOD aims to pay tribute to K-Pop’s vibrant culture through its Korean cuisine, futuristic atmosphere, and contemporary architecture. The vibrant space, designed by Stokes Architecture + Design, is clad in poppy colors and curvilinear motifs. Depending on the occasion, choose from sushi bar seats, two-seater booths, or family-style tables. Not to worry, those original three partysized pods are still there! Use the large buttons on the wall to rotate through an array of colors to suit your mood.

KPOD sparks each of our senses through its color palette, sweet and savory menu items, and the subtle click-clack coming from the Split Flap sitting behind the sushi chef.

STARR Restaurant group has a lot of uniqueness in their design. But they needed that little “umph” to completely separate themselves from other restaurants. A Split Flap is the perfect thing to do just that.

STARR ordered a one-of-a-kind pink powder-coated sign with pink flaps and white font. The 5 Row and 32 Column board rotates through a queue of messages about featured dishes and cocktails. Keep an eye out for “KPOD” written out in white flaps.

Implementing retro technology into a futuristic space may seem contrary to decor principles. A Split Flap presents a subtle tie between old-school design and modern technology. They must be doing something right!

Interior Design magazine recognized KPOD as a 2022 Best of Year Finalist for Casual Dining.