While most tourists with a taste for gourmet experiences come to Paris to try French food, a few know that the city harbors its fair share of excellent Japanese restaurants, grocers and casual eateries.
And for those looking for a truly authentic Japanese Paris, the reigning spot has to be the area around Rue Sainte-Anne, often referred to as “Little Tokyo.”
The choices proffered by eateries in the neighborhood– which is nestled just blocks away from the stately Opera Garnier and the prestigious Louvre-Tuileries district— can be overwhelming.
While most of the places on the street and surrounding area offer good, authentic Nippon cuisine, these restaurants, supermarkets and bakeries are some of the best in the neighborhood. From ramen (lamen in French) to sushi and Japanese-style snacks and desserts, here’s where to indulge– and stretch– your palate.
1. Juji-Ya
If you’re in a rush but are still craving some superb, simply delicious Japanese food, Juji-ya is an ideal stop. You can either take your Bento box to go, or sit in the restaurant’s cafeteria-style eating area for a meal in.
Powdered green tea is on offer – a delicious but hard to find item in Paris – and the salmon-stuffed rice and seaweed triangles are divine (and so much healthier than a BigMac).
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Can’t eat in? Just looking for a bite on the go? Juji-ya also has a well-stocked grocery store in the back, featuring myriad Japanese snacks and cooking basics.
Getting There
- Address: 46 rue Sainte-Anne
- Tel: +33 (0)1 42 86 02 22
- Metro: Pyramides, Quatre-Septembre or Bourse
2. Kintaro
A good restaurant in Paris can often be spotted by the lines of eager patrons snaking around the block near the front door. And the line at Kintaro is almost always one that spills into the street.
But not to fear: your meal will be well worth the wait. Choose between scrumptious meat and rice dishes, warming soba noodle soups, sushi and sashimi, shrimp tempura and perfectly grilled fresh fish.
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The only problem you’re likely to run into during your lunch or dinner at Kintaro? Trying to decide what to order from its enormous, complex menu. If you’re a fan of both sushi and big bowls of savory ramen, you may have to just order both.
Things can feel a bit crowded and close, too, which isn’t to the liking of some. The open seating area feels much like a New York City diner, with an energetic waitstaff doing their best to move things along and keep the line from getting out of control.
Getting There
- Address: 24 Rue Saint-Augustin, 75002 Paris
- Tel: +33 (0)1 47 42 13 14
- Metro: Quatre-Septembre or Pyramides
3. Happa Tei
Happa Tei stands out primarily for its menu, comprised almost entirely of okonomiyaki. These giant Japanese omelets are stuffed with meat, vegetables and onions, and are surprisingly light despite their generous size.
The intimate eatery on Rue Sainte-Anne also features takoyaki, a fried, ball-shaped snack filled with octopus. If you’re interested in trying Japanese dishes you haven’t likely tried elsewhere, this address is an ideal port of call.
Getting There
- Address: 64 Rue Sainte-Anne, 75002 Paris
- Tel: +33 (0)1 1 42 96 60 40
- Metro: Quatre-Septembre or Pyramides
4. Kunitoraya
Kunitoraya specializes in udon noodles dishes, adding tofu, duck or tempura to large, steaming bowls of savory soup. Served up cold or hot in more than 10 different varieties, this is the place to head if you’re in the mood to slurp down those delectably squiggly udon noodles.
The waitstaff is especially friendly here and the line snaking outside the door is testament to its success in the neighborhood. Prices are very reasonable, too, so if you’re on a tight budget, you can still enjoy a meal out.
Getting There
- Address: 1 rue Villedo, 75002 Paris
- Tel: +33 (0)1 47 03 33 65
- Metro: Quatre-Septembre or Pyramides
5. Higuma Sainte-Anne
If you’re looking for a fun, energetic atmosphere on Rue Sainte-Anne, Higuma is the place. The cooks here whip up made-to-order, traditional Japanese dishes–from noodles to gyoza and donburi–in an open kitchen, allowing patrons to see behind the scenes and watch them at work.
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Smoke, delicious umami smells, and sizzling sounds ricochet through the restaurant, making this a slightly intense but nevertheless enjoyable dining experience. Expect to wait 10-20 minutes in line, as the popular spot is always packed.
Getting There
- Address: 32 bis rue Sainte-Anne, 75001 Paris
- Tel: +33 (0)1 58 62 49 22
- Metro: Pyramides or Quatre-Septembre
- Visit the official website
6. Takara
Takara claims to be the oldest Japanese restaurant in Paris. But this isn’t the only reason why you should give it a whirl. The eatery just blocks from the Palais Royal gets top marks for quality, service and, of course, superb and authentic Japanese dishes.
Prices are a bit steep, but the meals don’t disappoint. Here, you’ll find sublime cuts of sashimi and their specialty, piping hot sukiyaki – soy sauce-based noodle soups with finely sliced beef, vegetables and egg. This restaurant is open for both lunch and dinner.
Getting There
- Address: 14 Rue Molière, 75001 Paris
- Tel: +33 (0)1 1 42 96 08 38
- Metro: Pyramides
- Visit the official website
7. Ace Opera Japanese Grocer
Who says you need to go out to eat for great Japanese food? If you’re feeling daring, you might try visiting this Asian grocery store and creating your own Japanese culinary masterpiece chez vous— that is, if you’re staying in a rental apartment equipped with a kitchen.
Chili sauce, sobu noodles, seaweed, spicy cabbage and soy sauce galore line the shelves. The staff can offer advice about the sauces and spices to best complement your planned dish, so don’t hesitate to ask.
You’ll also find great takeaway snacks, including ice-cold green tea and milk coffees, chewy candies, chocolate sticks, gummies and other delicious goodies.
Getting There
- Address: 43 Rue Saint-Augustin, 75002 Paris
- Tel: +33 (0)1 40 07 93 57
- Metro: Quatre-Septembre
- Visit the official website
8. Aki Boulanger: For Creative Japanese Pastries & Desserts
Here is where French and Japanese food really fuse to produce some interesting delights. Aki Boulanger takes the traditional French pastry and adds a particularly Japanese twist – filling everything from croissants and pain au raisin with green tea.
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Here, you’ll find éclairs, tiramisu, Danish rolls, and more – all filled with the pungent green stuff. Aki’s matcha au lait (green tea with milk) is not to be missed, and the green tea ice cream is some of the best in the city. The warm, friendly staff speaks English.
Getting There
- Address: 16 Rue Saint Anne, 75001 Paris
- Tel: +33 1 40 15 63 38
- Metro: Pyramides
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