The Unexpected Asian Food Tour in Paris feat. Tokyobanhbao

A lover of Asian cuisines from a young age, I checked all the boxes: from my first spring rolls at the deli, to the famous B7 menus, sushi, ramen, bibimbap and other okonomiyaki, to several trips to Asia. Indeed, it was after coming back from Bangkok this winter – as I began to miss the local tastes – that I decided to write an article about it. After shortlisting more than twenty restaurants out of those that I liked and those I had heard about, I enlisted the help of the blogger Tokyobanhbao — a connoisseur of Tokyo, Japan, Asia and its cuisine — to refine my list.

 

 

In doing so, we traversed an icy Paris on a day-long food marathon. We tried no less than six establishments with diverse and varied specialties, and they didn’t even know we were coming! We were thus able to exchange our impressions of the restaurants, and share our love for Asian food. Our takeaways: lots of laughter, even more calories, and above all, several culinary orgasms. Here’s our itinerary.

Taverne de Zhao

 

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This Chinese restaurant specializing in Xi’an cuisine — for your cocktail trivia this is the former capital of China — serves traditional dishes from the region, a fresh take on sweet and sour sauce, as well as a lovely selection of teas. Though the establishment is small, the ambiance is warm and the decor neat. One especially appreciates the view of the kitchen from the counter.

Taverne de Zhao, 49 Rue des Vinaigriers, 75010 Paris

Street Bangkok Local Food

 

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The name says it all. Thai street food, just like in Bangkok, but in Paris! Whether it’s to go — like in Bangkok — or to stay — in a very cool urban decor — the house serves attractive choices with something for everyone: hot dishes, cold dishes, spicy dishes, vegetarian dishes, serving exoticism above all at both locations that make up the business.

Street Bangkok Local Food Canal, 3 Rue Eugène Varlin, 75010 Paris
Street Bangkok Local Food Bastille, 13 Rue de la Roquette, 75011 Paris

Happa Teï

 

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Right in the heart of the rue Saint-Anne, this Japanese restaurant is one of the most well-known in the city, just as much for its takoyaki — octopus dumplings — as for its okonomiyaki — a typical Japanese dish without a true Western equivalent, but often compared to pizza, pancakes or omelettes. Both dishes are from Osaka and both are delicious! One orders on the ground floor and then eats upstairs in a cozy area. For more cocktail trivia, Happa Teï means “on 64th”, after the street number it’s located on.

Happa Teï, 64 Rue Sainte-Anne, 75002 Paris

Sanukiya

 

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Warning! This is a very popular establishment! Even though it’s open from 11:30 AM to 11:00 PM, you’ll be lucky to find a table, especially in the outdoor space. Standing on line is the only way to get in, as they do not take reservations. If you survive this ordeal, you’ll be able to taste THE house specialty: the udon (the thickest Japanese noodles). There are several varieties here, and the other dishes on the menu are also excellent.

Sanukiya 9 Rue d’Argenteuil, 75001 Paris

Pontochoux

 

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This tiny restaurant has optimised its space with just eight seats, but they wisely also offer take out! They serve one dish in several different varieties: Japanese curry. Their secret: the curry stews for several hours and is made up of twenty or so different spices. One will thus appreciate its creamy texture and its strong flavors. The only drawback is they close at 7:30 PM!

Pontochoux, 18 Rue du Pont aux Choux, 75003 Paris

Umami Matcha Café

 

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French bakeries had better watch out. This alternative to traditional tea rooms offers a variety of pastries, teas and matcha coffee drinks. On the menu of this coffee shop (which replaced a corner deli), one can also find some savory Japanese dishes and even alcoholic beverages, as well as Sunday brunch. The minimalist decor and the inherent matcha-green will attract Instagrammers in search of likes.

Umami Matcha Café 22 Rue Béranger, 75003 Paris