The team behind Charleston favorite Kultura is set to expand its footprint this February with a new restaurant concept.
Bareo, owned by James Beard Award-nominated chef Nikko Cagalanan and his wife and business partner, Paula Kramer, will open at 73 Spring St. The restaurant will take over the former Kultura space, bringing the duo’s journey full circle, according to a press release.
Kultura moved out of the 760-square-foot space last year, reopening a few blocks away at 267 Rutledge Ave.
Bareo takes its name from “baryo,” meaning neighborhood, and aims to serve as an intimate gathering place inspired by the spirit of an Asian bar.
“With Kultura, we built a community that meant so much to us. Growing up in the Philippines, the idea of baryo, the neighborhood, was everything. Food and drinks bringing people together, simple dishes full of local flavors and warmth remind me of home. That’s the spirit we want to carry forward with Bareo,” Chef Cagalanan said in a statement.
Inspired by Japanese lacquer boxes, traditionally used as decorative art or for storing food, jewelry and stationery, the interior leans dark and moody. The design pairs black-and-white wallpaper with matcha-green floors and shoji-style ceiling panels.
The space will offer limited seating, with a handful of tables and bar counter seats. The bar program will feature beer, wine and sake-based cocktails, along with an expansive tea service inspired by Chinese Gong Fu traditions.
The menu will center on hand-folded dumplings filled with locally sourced, seasonal proteins and produce, alongside shareable plates and dumpling noodle soup. Bareo will also debut a kakigōri program with unconventional flavors like buko pandan and brown butter bibingka.
Kakigōri is a Japanese dessert made from finely shaved ice, traditionally topped with flavored syrups, sweetened condensed milk, or fruit.
“Dumplings and kakigōri are two foods I’ve loved for years, and they fit this space perfectly, solving all of the limitations it placed on Kultura’s growth and honestly they are just plain fun and creative,” Chef Cagalanan said.
While Bareo has not announced an official opening date, the restaurant plans to operate daily from noon to 10 p.m. once it opens. For updates, visit the restaurant’s website and follow along on Instagram.
