Mekong River Tauranga Crossing

Nestled within the bustling Tauranga Crossing Food Court, Mekong River Vietnamese Takeaway is a striking new addition to the local hospitality offering. This commercial hospitality fitout, completed by Total Fitouts Bay of Plenty, transformed a dated and vacated tenancy into a vibrant, welcoming food destination inspired by the flavours and traditions of Vietnam. Designed to stand out in a high-traffic retail environment, the space pays homage to the energy and authenticity of Vietnamese street food, while maintaining a contemporary edge suited for a modern shopping mall.

The client’s brief was clear: they wanted a space that felt fresh, organic, and full of life—a direct reflection of the brand’s food philosophy. The commercial hospitality fitout needed to communicate these values quickly and effectively in a busy food court where visual identity is everything. Drawing inspiration from the bustling river markets along the Mekong Delta, the design team delivered a concept that celebrates both the vibrancy of Vietnamese culture and the function required for an efficient takeaway service. The result is a small-footprint, high-performance venue that blends style with substance in every detail.

Celebrating Colour, Texture and Storytelling

At the heart of the commercial hospitality fitout is a strong and cohesive visual narrative that tells a story with every surface. One of the most compelling elements is the large-scale wall graphics featuring fresh produce—fruit, vegetables, and herbs commonly found in Vietnamese river markets. These colourful illustrations evoke the sense of movement and abundance associated with traditional Vietnamese food culture. More than just decoration, they anchor the venue in its cultural roots and create an immersive environment that feels authentic and inviting.

The use of Flexbamboo—a sustainable material made from real bamboo pressed onto sheets—adds another layer of storytelling to the design. Applied to the feature wall, the Flexbamboo introduces warmth, depth, and an unmistakable connection to natural materials that are central to traditional Southeast Asian architecture. The tactile quality of the bamboo provides contrast to the harder surfaces within the kiosk, delivering both aesthetic and textural balance. This layered approach to design not only enhances visual appeal but also connects customers to the earthy, wholesome essence of Vietnamese cooking.

Tiled Accents and Textural Contrast

Key to the success of the commercial design was the clever application of tilework to bring dynamism and rhythm to the space. The use of fish scale tiles, with their delicate curves and glistening surface, injects movement and personality into the kiosk’s design. These were complemented by green subway tiles, laid in a stacked pattern to create a modern, clean-lined counter face that still feels vibrant and energetic.

The green colour choice in the commercial hospitality fitout was intentional—symbolising freshness, herbs, and the leafy abundance of Vietnamese cuisine. It plays beautifully off the neutral bamboo tones and vivid produce graphics. The mix of these two tile styles adds not only visual interest but also a sense of hand-crafted quality, reinforcing the idea of meals prepared with care and authenticity. Functionally, the tiles are durable and easy to clean—perfectly suited to a high-turnover takeaway food venue where cleanliness, durability, and maintenance efficiency are paramount.

Signage That Demands Attention

In a setting like a food court, where every brand is vying for attention, clear and commanding signage is critical. Mekong River’s commercial hospitality fitout addresses this challenge with a large, illuminated sign positioned prominently above the service counter. Supplied by Commercial Signs, the signage was custom-fabricated to reflect the brand’s identity, using bold typography and clean lines that stand out against the vibrant backdrop of the commercial fitout.

This signage does more than guide foot traffic—it acts as a visual anchor for the business, making it instantly recognisable and reinforcing the brand’s place within the larger food court landscape. Paired with the graphic wall, bamboo finishes, and tiled accents, the signage creates a complete and cohesive façade that functions as both wayfinding and marketing.

The combination of lighting, materials, and strategic placement ensures the kiosk remains visible from multiple vantage points within the food court, drawing customers in with its welcoming aesthetic and fresh design language.

Fast Turnaround, High Impact

Executing a commercial hospitality fitout of this quality under time and budget constraints is no small feat, but Total Fitouts Bay of Plenty delivered with professionalism and precision. The project timeline was tight, with four weeks allocated for design and just two weeks for construction—an impressive feat for a transformation of this scale and detail. From the outset, the project was a close collaboration between the in-house commercial design team and the client, with design approvals managed by Peta at Tailor Inc.

Michelle, part of Total Fitouts’ in-house commercial design team, led the creative direction. Her role was essential in translating the client’s vision into a layout and material palette that would not only express the brand but also meet the practical needs of a high-volume takeaway business. Every surface, fixture, and finish was chosen with intention—to support workflow, durability, and customer engagement.

“Despite a limited budget and a fast-paced delivery schedule, the outcome is a vibrant, functional space that tells a story and stands out,” says Jason Horn, Director at Total Fitouts Bay of Plenty.

A Compact Space with Big Presence

Though modest in size, the Mekong River Vietnamese takeaway packs a significant punch. This commercial hospitality fitout is a testament to what can be achieved when design, functionality, and brand alignment come together. Every design choice—from the choice of green and natural finishes to the lively market-inspired graphics—serves a purpose, drawing customers in and ensuring the space operates efficiently throughout the day.

The layout optimises space, supports a fast-paced food prep environment, and ensures an intuitive flow for both staff and customers. The small footprint works in the venue’s favour, creating intimacy and immediacy—making the food feel closer, fresher, and more personal. It’s this clever integration of commercial fitout principles and expressive design that makes Mekong River more than just a food court vendor—it’s an experience.

The Mekong River commercial hospitality fitout at Tauranga Crossing Food Court, delivered by Total Fitouts Bay of Plenty, exemplifies what’s possible in fast-casual dining environments when cultural storytelling and functionality go hand in hand. From its vibrant colour palette and sustainable material choices to its eye-catching signage and fast-track construction schedule, the project showcases how thoughtful commercial design can transform even the smallest of spaces into a memorable, high-performing venue.

Whether you’re launching a new food brand or upgrading an existing tenancy, the team at Total Fitouts Bay of Plenty offers the experience, design expertise, and attention to detail required to bring your vision to life.

Looking for a commercial hospitality fitout? Inquire with us today.