I’m quite a fan of Japanese cuisine, so much so that I have already written two themed articles on the subject: the first one about gastronomy and the second about drinks, uncovering a selection of great Parisian spots for you.
I am therefore always eager for new discoveries in this field, and today I am sharing a great place to eat ramen and gyoza in the Opéra district of Paris.
Opened last May, the Hakata Choten restaurant is a ramen (Japanese noodle) spot specializing in authentic tonkotsu ramen.
Tonkotsu, literally “pork bone,” is a soup made from a pork bone broth extract that has simmered for over 24 hours. It is a recipe that emerged in the 1930s in Japan, a different version from the ramen recipes used before, which were primarily chicken broth-based.
It is actually very interesting to read the history of this particular recipe, which is recounted in the introduction of the restaurant’s menu.
I wouldn’t claim to be a ramen expert, but what is certain is that in my short life as a ramen eater, this is definitely the best I’ve had the chance to taste so far.
Must try:
- The Special Tonkotsu Ramen with ajitama egg (€13), the version with all the options: grilled garlic, chef’s spicy miso, and chashu (roast pork), which is the tastiest on the menu in my opinion.
- Another house specialty: gyoza, small pork dumplings with very thin dough, steamed then grilled. The chef actually won first prize in the national gyoza competition organized by a Japanese television show in 2004. I recommend you try the pork gyoza with spicy miso (5 pieces – €6), which are spicy just right.
Like all the restaurants in this neighborhood, Hakata Choten is a small establishment with a 22-seat dining room overlooking the kitchen, and upstairs, you’ll find another room with 14 seats, which can be perfect for a group, for example.
Hakata Choten 53, rue des Petits Champs 75001 Paris Tel: +33 1 40 20 98 88 Open daily from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM and 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM Little plus: Hakata Choten also offers a takeaway service, especially for gyoza Price for a bowl of tonkotsu ramen: between €10 and €15 Price for 5 gyoza: between €5 and €6
Find all my restaurant reviews in Paris below:
⇒ My restaurant reviews in Paris
⇒ My Asian restaurants in Paris
⇒ My Japanese restaurants in Paris
MY ARTICLES ON GREAT JAPANESE RESTAURANT SPOTS IN PARIS
⇒ Toraya Tea Room
⇒ Hakata Choten
⇒ Ao Izakaya
⇒ Ramen Bowl
⇒ Kodawari Ramen
⇒ Matsuri
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MAP OF MY FOOD SPOTS IN PARIS AND THE ILE-DE-FRANCE REGION
Restaurant 
Bar 
Pastry / Bakery 
Tea Room / Coffee Shop
Brunch 
Ice Cream Shop
Photo credits: Nicolas Diolez Photos are not royalty-free; photographer's authorization is mandatory before any use
