Yujin: the 2nd arrondissement restaurant in Paris that fuses Japanese cuisine and street food

When four lifelong friends decide to join forces to create a place that's just like them, the result is Yujin! Located in the 2nd arrondissement of Paris, this friendly, gourmet eatery fuses Japanese cuisine and street food in a modern restaurant with a hip-hop soundtrack.

In Paris, lovers of Japanese cuisine are spoilt for choice when it comes to satisfying their gourmet cravings. But if you want to get off the beaten track and push open the doors of a fusion restaurant blending authentic flavors, conviviality and international influences, then head for Yujin in the famous and sublime Passage des Panoramas.

Behind Yujin, which means " friends " in Japanese, are four long-standing friends: Pierre Sene, Bryan Birget, Alexandre Basse and Guillaume Guedj , the latter behind Mr. T in Paris and Los Angeles, and Gyoza Bar.

Together, the four enthusiasts and associates have created Yujin, a casual yet modern venue that celebrates the perfect fusion of Japanese cuisine and street food, with a particular focus on Japanese curry. At Yujin, this specialty is served in a variety of ways, to satisfy all tastes: tempura vegetables, stir-fried vegetables, fried chicken and beef.

Now to the menu. It's the brainchild of Pierre Sene, the restaurant's creative executive chef - who has also worked at Bernard Loiseau and L'Escargot Montorgueil - and Tsuyoshi, the chef from Mr. T Paris. Together, they have devised a short, simple but tempting menu featuring 6 different starters (miso soup, wakame, edamame...), dishes to share (beef tataki, karaage...), 3 different Japanese curry dishes, a broth based on the fish of the day and two desserts. At lunchtime, the recipes are lighter, with two variations of Donburi with chicken or vegetables, for example.

For our part, we discovered Yujin in the evening. In the evening, the restaurant gives way to a relaxed atmosphere with subdued lighting and a menu that invites sharing and conviviality. The mood is set to hip-hop music. In the dining room, you'll find the warm and friendly Alexandre Basse.

The experience begins with Yujin's specialty: " Tokyo Drift ". For this beef and cheese sushi, chef Pierre Sene pulls out all the stops behind the counter. Using a small kitchen blowtorch, he flames the sushi, melting the cheese before our very eyes. And the result is just as seductive as the staging, with ultra-melting, gourmet sushi.

The tasting continues with a very simple, but oh-so-indulgent small plate oftamago egg, cooked just right. A classic of its kind, it's always a hit.

Next comes a bowl of beef curry, served with rice, a few arugula leaves and a succulent sauce. Pierre Sene makes all his own sauces and juices. Alongside this, we also fall for the vegetable tempura. Simple and effective, you can enjoy them without moderation.

To end on a sweet note, let's go for simplicity and authenticity, with a tasty Yuzu cheesecake on one side, and a red bean mochi surrounded by black sesame seeds on the other.

Another Yujin specialty? Bryan Birget's famous cocktails. On the menu, you'll find clever drinks with names directly inspired by some of the great rap and RnB artists. These include"Riri" for Rihanna and"HOV" for Jay-Z. For our part, we opted for the perfectly balanced"Queen B" made with Mezcal, coffee and amaretto, and the refreshing"Sade" made with vodka, yuzu, lime, orgeat and basil.

In short, skillful beverages, gourmet Japanese-inspired dishes, an ultra-casual atmosphere and a few notes of hip-hop music: this is the perfect recipe unearthed by Yujin to seduce gourmands in search of fusion cuisine and conviviality! So, shall we go?