Zen, the Michelin-starred Japanese restaurant in Paris

It's in the Louvre district of Paris 1er that the Japanese restaurant ZEN has carved out a solid reputation. Founded in 2006 by Zen Okawa, the restaurant perpetuates the tradition of authentic Japanese cuisine, alternating between a Japanese canteen for lunch and a gourmet Izakaya for dinner.

It's in the Palais-Royal district, a stone's throw from the Louvre, in the 1st arrondissement of Paris, that this little piece of Japan has set up shop. It's a unique place where Japanese gastronomy comes in many guises, in a restaurant that spans three levels and has been selected by the Michelin guide for several years running.

On the first floor, a spacious 54-seat dining room welcomes you with its bright, uncluttered decor, friendly atmosphere and open kitchen where you can watch the chef and his brigade at work.

The basement features a more intimate room, with a cosy, woodsy ambience.
As for the second floor, it offers a premium experience by reservation only, with a brand-new high-end OMAKASE formula. Here, the team is predominantly Japanese, from kitchen to service, making this place a real little corner of Japan in the heart of Paris.

An experienced Japanese chef

In charge of the kitchen: chef Mitsuru Yamada. After many years' experience in Japan, he perfected his technique in several French restaurants in Paris, before joining ZEN following his meeting with founder Zen Okawa.

A typical Japanese canteen for lunch

At lunchtime, the restaurant quickly fills up with regulars who come to sample the €26 formula, a real bargain for fans of Japanese cuisine: a Japanese amuse-bouche, a small assortment of ultra-fresh sashimi, followed by a dish from a selection, accompanied of course by a bowl of rice and miso soup.

It's hard to resist their teriyaki grilled salmon, classic salt-grilled mackerel, fried chicken or irresistible breaded pork.

The Bento du Jour is also a good choice, offering a generous and colorful festival of Japanese flavors (€35).

Dinner in Izakaya style

In the evening, it's time for more elaborate Japanese cuisine, with a menu featuring Japanese-style tapas, as found in Tokyo's izakayas.

Vegetable delicacies such as edamame or tsukemono (pickled vegetables), not forgetting the must-try potato salad with mayonnaise.

You'll also be tempted by silky sesame tofu, the famous takoyaki - a bite-sized dish featured in many mangas - and emblematic Japanese dishes such asgrilled eel or octopus in vinegar.

A la carte dishes also allow you to discover other iconic specialties of Japanese culinary culture: grilled eggplant topped with miso sweetened with yuzu, miso-grilled sablefish, or beef tataki (half-cooked) with onions and ponzu sauce.

Sushis, Sashimis, Makis...

Of course, raw fish is also at the forefront of ZEN's menu, with quality standards that will have you discovering flavors as close as possible to those of Japan, enough to delight true aficionados.

Franco-Nippon fusion desserts

Le ZEN also offers delicious French-inspired pastries, revisited with Japanese touches, such as the Japanese strawberry dish with its airy cream and fresh fruit.

Another delicious treat is the Cheesecake with tofu and soya milk, with homemade jam, or the Tiramisu with green tea and red beans.

ZEN is a sure bet in Parisian Japanese cuisine, and at lunchtime the restaurant is often fully booked, so come early. Evening reservations are recommended.