With many thousands of restaurants all different nationalities in the city, Paris chefs have to keep on their toes to survive. Japanese restaurants are no exception. The ones that thrive in the French capital are likely to have distinguished offerings and first-class chefs. If you are wondering where to dine in Paris, but keen to avoid traditional rich French fare, it’s worth heading to one of the many excellent Japanese restaurants across the city for some sushi, ramen or okonomiyaki during your visit. I arrived in Paris in 2017 as a correspondent, and was pleasantly surprised to discover that the Japanese restaurants in the city were as excellent and creative as the ones in Japan. Here is my guide to the top places to sample Japanese food in the City of Light.
And a word of advice: avoid restaurants that are overly decorated with Asian lanterns and banners and advertise cheap dining offers. They are almost certainly not authentic. Togo Shiraishi
Sushi Marché (16th arrondissement)
20 Rue Mirabeau, 75016 Paris
Good for: High-quality sushi at a reasonable price
Not so good for: A quiet meal – it’s often busy
FYI: The owner has a sibling restaurant called Sushi Gourmet. Sushi Marché is open noon to 2.30pm and 7pm to 10.30pm; closed on Sundays and Mondays. Reservations recommended
“I want to keep the prices affordable, so the restaurant is loved by local people” says Yukiharu Yagi, chef of Sushi Marché, who came to France in 1993. The set menu prices range roughly from €20 to €35 for lunch (€6 more in the evening).