Kodawari Tsukiji: the incredible restaurant dedicated to fish ramen in Paris

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Published by Caroline de Sortiraparis, Rizhlaine de Sortiraparis · Photos by Caroline de Sortiraparis · Published on November 19th, 2022 at 05:40 p.m.
About three years after the opening of the very first Kodawari Ramen in the Odeon district, a second address dedicated to ramen opens in the capital. Its name? Kodawari Tsukiji. The opportunity to live a new and incredible Japanese experience, both immersive and tasty.

Kodawari Ramen: two words to describe one of the most popular and appreciated Japanese restaurants in Paris. Inaugurated in spring 2016 by Jean-Baptiste Meusnier, a former fighter pilot, the place still creates impressive queues at the level of the rue Mazarine, in the 6th.

Tourists but also regulars - of which we are part - are completely crazy about it. Because, in addition to offering delicious ramen (including the incredible Kurogoma Ninniku Ramen made with black sesame) at affordable prices, Kodawari Ramen invites us to a totally unique sensory journey. We remind you, by the way, that the restaurant was awarded the 2017 Palme d'Or by Leaders Club France.

On the spot, everything gives us the feeling of being in Japan with the unavoidable gadgets but also the luminous lanterns, the apparent cables and even this fake manhole modelled in the Shibuya district of Tokyo. Our ears are also surprised by a soundtrack of Tokyo street ambience recorded by Jean-Baptiste Meusnier during his most multiple trips to Japan.

In 2019, Jean-Baptiste Meusnier strikes a new blow by opening a new and second Kodawari Ramen address in Paris, even more surprising!

To discover it, get ready, Kodawari Tsukiji officially opens its doors on rue de Richelieu, in the 2nd arrondissement, starting Saturday, May 25, 2019 at 6:30 pm.

Kodawari Ramen Tsukiji à Paris, les photosKodawari Ramen Tsukiji à Paris, les photosKodawari Ramen Tsukiji à Paris, les photosKodawari Ramen Tsukiji à Paris, les photos

We had the chance to push the doors of this new restaurant in exclusivity during two launch days intended for a few lucky customers.

I might as well tell you right away, Kodawari Ramen Tsukiji has a new, even crazier but still gourmet experience in store for you.

Once the door is opened, we are greeted by a waiter wearing an apron and white rubber boots. We quickly understand why... We are immediately plunged into an incredible fish market.

Kodawari Ramen Tsukiji à Paris, les photosKodawari Ramen Tsukiji à Paris, les photosKodawari Ramen Tsukiji à Paris, les photosKodawari Ramen Tsukiji à Paris, les photos

Kodawari Ramen Tsukiji à Paris, les photosKodawari Ramen Tsukiji à Paris, les photosKodawari Ramen Tsukiji à Paris, les photosKodawari Ramen Tsukiji à Paris, les photos

The illusion is perfect, with this impression of humidity and puddles on the ground, these fake fish, shellfish and crustaceans in crates and other polystyrene boxes, these bags hanging from the ceiling and these multiple inscriptions in Japanese... A soundtrack also runs in the background with the sounds of a market, seagulls ... Finally, the tempting smell, coming from the open kitchen, is quickly felt.

Anyway, the beautiful (movie) setting is set: we are at the famous Tsukiji market, the largest fish market in the world which unfortunately closed its doors on October 6, 2018 after 83 years of existence. Kodawari Tsukiji thus pays tribute to this Tokyioite market for our greatest happiness.

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Once the decor admired and photographed from all angles, we take a seat directly at the counter or at one of the large wooden tables, to share with other customers for more conviviality. And we discover the original menu of ramen honoring... the fish of course!

But before that, we let ourselves be tempted by one of the different starters and we fall for the"Gyôza Kodawari" plate composed of two succulent open ravioli, with a gyôza stuffing and a spicy miso sauce.

Kodawari Ramen Tsukiji à Paris, les photosKodawari Ramen Tsukiji à Paris, les photosKodawari Ramen Tsukiji à Paris, les photosKodawari Ramen Tsukiji à Paris, les photosGyôza Kodawari

For the rest of the appetizers, Kodawari Tsukiji proposesedamame, a home-made wakame (seaweed salad with sesame) or thesardine shelter (marinated sardines half-cooked and grilled with its bone cracker).

We then arrive at the ramen menu with no less than 7 different bowls (from €12 to €15) among which the"Sardine BOMB!!!" (thick broth of sardines from Brittany, braised Basque farm pork from Peio, grilled cebette, niboshi), but also a cold ramen of sea bream, and the"Lobster Mazmen" (ramen without broth with a strong juice of lobster, lobster quenelle, braised Basque farm pork from Peio's) or a seaweed ramen and the"Chintan de St Jacques" (clear scallop broth and crumbled and crispy scallop).

On our side, we opt for the excellent"Chintan de Dorade Sauvage" (clear broth of sea bream from Normandy, crumble of grilled sea bream, chicken chashu and Hokkigai) and the"Paitan de dorade sauvage et lotte" (thick broth of 5h, crumble of grilled sea bream, chashu of Basque farm pork from Peio). We love this mix of land and sea flavors!

Kodawari Ramen Tsukiji à Paris, les photosKodawari Ramen Tsukiji à Paris, les photosKodawari Ramen Tsukiji à Paris, les photosKodawari Ramen Tsukiji à Paris, les photosWild Sea Bream Chintan

Kodawari Ramen Tsukiji à Paris, les photosKodawari Ramen Tsukiji à Paris, les photosKodawari Ramen Tsukiji à Paris, les photosKodawari Ramen Tsukiji à Paris, les photosPaitan of wild sea bream and monkfish

For big appetites, the restaurant offers on its menu the Chef's suggestions but also toppings with the delicious Tamago (marinated soft-boiled egg for 12 hours), the pork Chashu or thegrilled sea bream crumble.

To finish on a sweet note, try the rice pudding with caramelized scallops, Japanese ice cream or the famous traditional Taiyaki, with matcha or praline soba, in collaboration with Tomo pastry shop.

And to accompany all this, choose a Kirin beer, Japanese sangria, the inevitable Umeshu (Japanese plum wine) or sake.

As for Kodawari Ramen, Kodawari Tsukiji emphasizes the short circuit and the quality of its products with home-made dishes, elaborated without glutamates. Also, the wild sea bream is brought directly to the restaurant from Normandy. The sardines, horse mackerel and monkfish come from the port of Concarneau in Brittany. As for the noodles, they are made from a wheat specific to the making of ramen, coming from the restaurant's own field, in the commune of Acy Romance.

Kodawari Ramen Tsukiji à Paris, les photosKodawari Ramen Tsukiji à Paris, les photosKodawari Ramen Tsukiji à Paris, les photosKodawari Ramen Tsukiji à Paris, les photos

You understood it, Kodawari Tsukiji is a real favorite. All our senses were totally seduced by this incredible journey that the restaurant offers us to live. No doubt that Kodawari Tsukiji will be as successful as its big brother and that the queues will also be long on rue de Richelieu...

Practical information

Dates and Opening Time
Starts November 1st, 2020

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    Location

    12 Rue de Richelieu
    75001 Paris 1

    Accessibility info

    Official website
    www.kodawari-ramen.com

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