La Chinesca BGC: A Multicultural Take on Mexican Dining

Ini Manila, La Chinesca’s newest outpost reimagines what contemporary Mexican dining can look and feel like.

Designed by JJ Acuna / Bespoke Studio for chef Bruce Ricketts and restaurateur Jae Ricketts, the project weaves together influences from diverse cultural touchpoints to deliver a setting that is as layered as the cuisine itself.

GALLERY

The 92-square-metre venue officially opened in 2025 and balances compact proportions with a richness of detail. Of the total footprint, 40 square metres is devoted to the front-of-house dining space, 22 square metres accommodates the open kitchen, and 30 square metres is reserved for the alfresco area. Together, these zones provide 55 seats, including 24 outdoors, and foster a lively connection with the bustling street corner.

Referencing corner shop culture and deli architecture, La Chinesca nods to New York City institutions such as Katz’s Delicatessen while incorporating the vibrancy of taco truck culture, Hong Kong’s cha chaan teng diners, industrial accordion gates, and the expressive street signage that echoes Mexican graffiti. The result is a venue that feels urban and multicultural yet rooted in its culinary narrative.

Inksurge collaborated on the branding, ensuring it forms part of the architecture rather than a separate layer. Bold acrylic signage marks the street-facing façade, while a floating acrylic pickup window adds a playful dimension. A retail wall styled after a neighbourhood corner shop extends the brand beyond dining, with a curated selection of merchandise that includes glassware, fashion, magazines, and kitchen objects.

Material experimentation defines the interiors. Resin-infused stone aggregate from Japan, corrugated stainless steel wall panels, and bespoke Obrastone flooring printed in La Chinesca’s graphics create a distinctive palette. Furniture and lighting were fabricated locally and push the boundaries of form and material: dining tables combine corn husk, resin, and concrete, while stools, counters, and lighting fixtures use resin and stainless steel in inventive ways.

By blurring the thresholds between inside and outside, kitchen and dining, brand and architecture, La Chinesca BGC captures an energy that reflects both the personal heritage and global influences of its chef. It is a compact yet bold addition to Manila’s hospitality scene.

Images courtesy of JJ Acuna / Bespoke Studio via Designboom