Sabō: the Japanese-style tea room at OGATA Paris

There are few places in Paris where everything seems to move in slow motion, and where you can take the time to let the seconds tick away. Precious moments that the Japanese are so fond of, especially during the famous tea ceremony. In Paris, there's a place where you can enjoy this unique experience. Head for Sabō, the tea room nestled in the basement ofOGATA Paris, in the 3rd arrondissement.

Here, the tea experience can be savored in a variety of ways. You can choose to enjoy a tea of your choice accompanied by wagashi, the famous Japanese pastry. Or opt for the Sajiki menu, which offers a memorable experience of four tea sequences, accompanied by Ochauke and Wagashi. A word of advice: don't be in a hurry, and allow at least 1h30 for a guaranteed escape.

Tasting begins with Gyokuro, the famous exceptional green tea. Considered the noblest green tea in the Land of the Rising Sun, it is obtained after several infusions at "low temperature", between 50°C and 60°C. What makes it special? The most Umami aroma of all green teas!

Watching tea master Katsuhito Imaizumi at work, you'll discover that tea preparation is a true art, requiring the highest level of technique. To obtain such perfect tea, you need to be rigorous, concentrated and precise in your doses and temperatures. Every gesture must be precise. We never tire of watching Katsuhito Imaizumi.

Then it's time for a little pastry, in this case Moegi, made with grapes and Kokuto Shōchū, coated in matcha.

• To be read
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• Unusual tea rooms in Paris, our favorite original spots
• OGATA Paris : the incredible temple dedicated to the Japanese art of living

We follow with a seasonal infusion, Sekkicha, both thirst-quenching and fragrant, before falling under the spell of the excellent Hojicha, a Japanese roasted green tea.

Ochauke, sweet and savory appetizers, are the perfect accompaniment to roasted tea.

And we end on a high note with the inevitable, tasty matcha tea, perfectly balanced. For the gourmet side, Sabō presents us with a small wooden tray where several wagashi are beautifully laid out, including a " Sancho mochi " and a " Kurumi mochi " . For my part, I opt for the delicious " Mame Daifuku " with glutinous rice paste, red bean paste and walnuts. Across the street, there's the Ice Monaka (a scoop of ice cream slipped between two wafers)!

In the end, the experience leaves you feeling soothed and relaxed, with the added bonus of having discovered some totally unique flavors around the world of tea!

And to top it all off, the OGATA Paris tea room also offers workshops to help you get to grips with the ancestral culture of tea, and learn a little more about its benefits and seasonality. Visit the official website to find out more.

Please note that it's been over 4 years since our last visit, so the place and experience may have changed.