Opened in summer 2025, Shii is an intimate, omakase-style restaurant located in central Helsinki. The heart of the space is a 16-seat chef’s counter, where all guests are seated directly around the open kitchen. In addition, the restaurant includes a private dining room for six guests.

The culinary offering is an 11-course seasonal tasting menu, with a strong emphasis on Nordic seafood and marine ingredients. The kitchen is led by Nadim Nasser, who brings his expertise from Stockholm’s Michelin-starred sushi restaurant, Sushi Sho.

Tucked into an inner courtyard, Shii is designed to feel hidden, private, and serene—qualities echoed in its name, a reference to the Japanese onomatopoeia for silence or secrecy. The interior design is by Studio Joanna Laajisto, who embraced a minimalist approach using authentic and primarily reclaimed materials.

The space previously housed a bakery, and the renovation was carried out with minimal structural changes to reduce costs and environmental impact. All walls and ceilings were coated in a warm charcoal-hued clay paint, whose matte texture brings depth and softness to the rough surfaces.

A defining material throughout the space is rustic reclaimed oak, sourced from a 300-year-old wine press in Central Europe. This oak was crafted by local carpenters into all the built-in furniture: the over 8-meter-long bar counter, open kitchen shelving, the round table in the private dining room, and even the bathroom vanity. Leftover pieces were transformed into sculptural objects that add tactile richness to the otherwise restrained space.

In the restrooms, not only the wood but also the tiles were sourced via a Finnish second-hand marketplace (Tori.fi). This approach to material sourcing, while requiring extra effort, infused the project with layered meaning and narrative.

The Japanese-inspired, austere yet warm atmosphere is achieved through repeated use of wood against a dark, textured backdrop. A custom-made sliding glass partition separates the private room; its handcrafted grid of matte, artisanal glass panes is framed in oak by a local joiner.

Natural linen curtains filter daylight through the windows and enhance the sense of privacy. Above the long counter, hand-painted linen Noren curtains, made using natural pigments, add softness and tradition. Almost all materials were reclaimed or repurposed—only the guest chairs were newly acquired, with comfort prioritized for the extended tasting experience. Bar seating is provided by Plan Counter Chairs designed by Barber Osgerby for Fredericia, while the private room features Børge Mogensen classics from the same Danish brand.

Lighting design plays a key role in the ambiance: only what is essential is illuminated. Narrow-beam spotlights highlight each dish along the counter, while the surrounding space remains in atmospheric shadow. In the private room, a hand-crafted washi paper lantern, made in Kyoto using centuries-old techniques, casts a soft, meditative glow.

Shortly after the opening, Shii has made a strong impression on Helsinki’s culinary scene, earning a 5-star review from Helsingin Sanomat, the city’s leading newspaper.