Above: Matcha Brioche by @akiboulangercafe / Le Nemours after the rain by @cestmaikka
Enthusiasts of Asian cuisine will want to visit rue Sainte-Anne, a quaint little street close to the gardens of Palais-Royal. Stretching from Avenue de l’Opéra to rue Saint-Augustin, rue Sainte-Anne delights with authentic Asian feasts.
This street was once the original gay district in the 1970s before it moved to Le Marais. Today, it has been reinvented as Little Tokyo – including Asian restaurants, grocers, shops, bakeries, and more. It attracts locals and tourists alike in search of authentic Asian food in the heart of Paris’ 1st and 2nd arrondissements.
The following spots are my treasured go-to’s any time I crave zesty Asian flavors to spice up my sweet Parisian life:
Dosanko Larmen: for Ramen and Gyoza
Don’t be fooled. The space may be small, but their ramen bowls are huge! Top it with their unforgettable gyozas and you’ll be yearning for more. I was lucky to come here the first time without waiting in line. But don’t let the usual queues deter you! You’ll be transported to Japan as you sip that rich broth and watch the chefs hard at work by the bar.
Aki: for Pastries
Aki is a staple in rue Sainte-Anne. It has earned its reputable standing through its 3 locations (Aki Boulangerie, Aki Café, and Mochi Mochi Aki) all in one street. From French-Japanese viennoiseries, bento lunches, origini sandwiches, matcha drinks and more, Aki caters to your cravings day or night. It’s impossible not to satisfy your sweet tooth here!
K-Mart: for Groceries
When you’d like to impress guests with a lavish Korean Samgyeopsal BBQ or if you want to improve your sushi-making skills, this place has you covered. K-Mart is where I stock up on Asian goodies for any occasion – like, that midnight instant ramyun, or fresh seaweed and squid ban-chan. They also have products you can’t find elsewhere in Paris like Gatorade, Pocari Sweat, special Soju, and really good organic Matcha. Their Dosirak (lunch meals) and party packs are amazing too!
Ace Boucherie: for Homemade Takeouts
At first glance, this shop can go unnoticed. However, this is where you should go if you’d like to take the experience up a notch. Everything here is homemade with love. While you can’t eat their lunch boxes sur place, you can always sit in the gardens of Palais Royal to enjoy their delicious meals. They offer high-quality Wagyu beef, excellent customer service, and great recommendations if you’re hosting a party!
Jantchi: for an Effortless Korean Experience
Technically speaking, this place is off of rue Sainte-Anne, but whenever I crave an authentic bibimbap or kimchi-jjigae, this is THE place. Loved by Parisians and tourists alike, this Korean restaurant keeps surprising me with their formules that are not only good, but are also inexpensive. If you’ve never had Bokbunja or raspberry wine, give it a try here!
Bon appétit!
Addresses:
Dosanko Larmen – 40 Rue Sainte-Anne, 75002 Paris
Aki Boulangerie – 16 Rue Sainte-Anne, 75001 Paris
Aki Café – 75 rue Sainte-Anne, 75002 Paris
Mochi Mochi Aki – 28 rue Sainte-Anne, 75001 Paris
K-Mart – 4-8 rue Sainte-Anne, 75001 Paris
Ace Boucherie – 58 rue Sainte-Anne, 75002 Paris
Jantchi – 6 rue Thérèse, 75001 Paris
Related Links
- More Asian restaurants here
- Check out our quintessential French experiences at our Marketplace!
- The Top 8 Chic Parisian Suburbs to Live, and Buy in, Now
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