The fourth location in the Dining Rooms Group portfolio, after Blueberry, Marcello, and Steam Bar, Kimono has just opened its doors in the same neighborhood of the capital as its predecessors. Nestled in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, this Japanese bistro offers a culinary journey by highlighting a very specific specialty, created by the chef himself: the futosoba (literally “thick soba”).
Because here, as at Marcello and Steam Bar, the dough is the center of the plate. Marie-Lorna and Florence Vaconsin, founders of the Dining Rooms group, wanted to create a Japanese pasta recipe that was halfway between udon and soba, the former for its regressive side, the latter for its character and buckwheat fragrance.
And it was Japanese chef Masahiro Moriya (ex-Auguste*, Le Gabriel***) and his sous chef Makoto, a pastry specialist, who came up with the recipe for this generous, textured and fragrant pastry made with buckwheat flour and roasted buckwheat seeds, milled on site.
The futosoba at Kimono is offered in its traditional style (similar to zaru soba, also known as mori soba). It’s served cold in a separate bowl, allowing diners to dip it into a sesame white broth or a herb-infused kake broth with quail eggs (€16), or enjoyed directly in a hot broth—options include Japanese curry with scamorza cheese and vegetables, or dashi with sliced duck (€15-€19). The menu also features a salad version (€21) with spinach shoots, white sesame dressing, pieces of chicken, and avocado.
The venue also offers, at lunchtime, a selection of bento boxes featuring chicken katsu (€26), onigirazu (€21) for onigiri fans, and of course, futosoba (€23). Each bento comes with an onigiri, a poached egg, a dashi broth, and a fresh vegetable salad (cucumber, radish, and plums).
You can also opt to add a selection of small sharing plates, inspired by izakayas. These include dishes like the chawanmushi with poutargue and dill, served warm (8€), the binchotan chicken with a smoky barbecue-style flavor (19€), a classic chicken katsu (16€), or the okonomiyaki with braised pork or vegetables (15€). There are also vegetables tempura fried in crispy rice and buckwheat (16€). A wonderful variety of high-quality small plates to enjoy!
When it comes to desserts and drinks, it's all handled by two women. Leading the way is Pastry Chef Ceidgie Saïdi, who curates a selection of travel-inspired desserts, including mochi and the mille-crêpe cake topped with sobacha chocolate (12€).
Additionally, Sommelier Delphine Bec offers guests a curated selection of around fifteen wines, along with signature cocktails that reflect the venue's creative spirit. One highlight is the Foujita cocktail, made with saké, Bénédictine, kirsch, pear liqueur, and lemon, priced at €14. The bar also features more unusual drinks, such as the barley coffee and sobacha infusion, for those seeking something truly distinctive.
This test was conducted as part of a professional invitation. If your experience differs from ours, please let us know.
Dates and Opening Time
Next days
Saturday:
from 12:00 p.m. to 03:00 p.m.
- from 07:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Tuesday:
from 12:00 p.m. to 02:30 p.m.
- from 07:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Wednesday:
from 12:00 p.m. to 02:30 p.m.
- from 07:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Thursday:
from 12:00 p.m. to 02:30 p.m.
- from 07:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Friday:
from 12:00 p.m. to 02:30 p.m.
- from 07:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Location
Kimono
66 Rue du Cherche-Midi
75006 Paris 6
Official website
www.kimono-paris.com
