Windup Bird Cafe

This Toronto-Based Restaurant Infuses Asian Cuisine with Literary Culture

In an effort to reflect the diversity of his passions in his professional life, writer and restaurateur Sang Kim of Windup Bird Cafe created what he describes as a "literary platform in a restaurant setting." Trend Hunter recently chatted with the man behind Windup Bird Inc., which hosts a combination of culinary and literary events among other things.

Sang Kim explains a program the restaurant has where they alternate between a famous international novel and a Canadian one to base a five course menu on. They then bring the author in to talk about it. For children, they have the Kid-Chen Confidential cooking club where young people can teach each other about cooking healthy food.

So in addition to delicious, local, Asian cuisine, cultural and literary events are just as important.

Literary Cuisine
Opportunity to create themed menus inspired by popular books, attracting book lovers and food enthusiasts alike.
Culinary Education for Children
Potential for cooking clubs or classes for kids to learn about healthy eating and cooking techniques in a fun and interactive way.
Multimedia Restaurant Experiences
Innovative concept of combining dining with literary events, opening doors for other industries to explore cross-genre experiences.

Where This Applies

Restaurants
Restaurants can incorporate literary themes into their menus and events, offering unique dining experiences to attract customers.
Publishing
Collaboration opportunities with restaurants to promote books through themed menus and events, attracting a wider audience.
Education
Education institutions can explore partnerships with restaurants to offer culinary education programs for children, encouraging healthy eating habits.
SCORE
2.2 out of 10
GENDER
50% Men50% Women
MARKETTop markets: North America
GENERATION
  • Gen Z (primary audience)
  • Gen Alpha (primary audience)
  • Millennial (primary audience)
  • Gen X (primary audience)
POPULARITY
Popularity 17%
Activity 42%
Freshness 8%