Soma Sando, the Japanese sandwich restaurant Paris 6th arrondissement

We're off to 62 rue de Vaugirard, a stone's throw from the Odeon and Jardin du Luxembourg, to discover Sōma Sando, the latest addition to the Sōma restaurant sibling family. After the success of Izakayas Soma Marais and South Pigalle, the trio Frédérique Picallo, Benjamin Tremoulet and Marwane Rizk decided to tackle the sando, the Japanese sandwich that's all the rage in Tokyo. And frankly, it's not bad.

As soon as you open the door, the atmosphere takes you straight in. We love the decor, which successfully blends Japanese style with Parisian cafés. Dressed all in wood, with a few elegant lights and a bar with immaculate credenza, the place exudes tranquility while retaining that warm, friendly Parisian bistro feel we love so much. You'll appreciate the ground-floor counter where you can watch the food being prepared, the quieter upstairs dining room, and the terrace when the sun comes out. The zen-like, soothing atmosphere is a welcome relief, especially when you come from the hustle and bustle of the Latin Quarter. The staff are smiling and attentive, without being pushy.

What exactly is a sando?

Sando, a contraction of "sandoitchi" (sandwich in Japanese), is much more than a simple snack. These Japanese sandwiches have been a hit in Japan for decades, and are now gradually making their way to our shores. What makes the difference? Firstly, the ultra-soft sandwich bread called shokupan, which has nothing in common with our rather dull industrial breads. Then there are the generous toppings and subtle flavor combinations that hit the spot with every bite.

Sando also has a distinctive look. The bread is often crustless, cut into neat rectangles or triangles, and the filling spills over slightly for aesthetic appeal. In Japan, sandos can be found everywhere: in konbini (24-hour mini-markets), kissaten (cafés) and even in railway stations for travelers in a hurry. The most popular versions? The katsu sando with breaded pork that crunches under the tooth, the tamago sando with mayo eggs, simple but formidable, or the fruit sando topped with cream and fresh fruit for gourmets.

At Sōma Sando, the bread comes from Carré pain de mie, THE reference for Japanese bread in France, made with Hokkaido flour. And believe us, it changes everything. Between two slices of this ultra-soft bread, the filling comes in chicken, pork, beef, fish, shrimp and even vegetarian versions for those who don't eat meat.

What we tested and validated at Sōma Sando

On the menu, you'll find classic dishes that hit the spot. The Katsusando, with its breaded pork, miso tartar sauce and tonkatsu sauce accompanied by crudités, is one of the sure-fire favourites. The Torisando, with its panko breaded free-range chicken, spicy homemade kewpie mayonnaise and crunchy vegetables, is always a hit.

We fell for the Veggi Sando, richly garnished with roasted cauliflower and eggplant confit in sesame sauce. The vegetables are tasty, juicy and flavorful, and the garnish is generous. A far, far cry from the stunted versions with three slices of tomato we sometimes come across elsewhere. We'd have liked an even softer bread, but that's not bad.

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But our favorite is the house specialty for K-Food Week, held from October 13 to 19, 2025 in thirteen restaurants in the Paris region. Sōma Sando has come up with a Korean version especially for the event. Sando with spicy kimchi and crispy chicken karaage is the kind of creation that makes you tick. The kimchi brings that characteristic spiciness and tanginess that awakens the taste buds, while the karaage remains soft on the inside, yet perfectly crisp on the outside. A wonderful bridge between two Asian culinary cultures.

To whet your appetite, vegetable tempura and my Agedashi eggplant, fried then marinated in Dashi broth and topped with a little dried bonito, await you. We can't get enough. Corn dogs are also one of the most popular specialties, perfect for quenching small hunger pangs. As for desserts, the yuzu tart with its refreshing acidity, the sesame cheesecake and the mochi with wasabi chocolate ganache (yes, yes, wasabi!) are well worth the detour.

What does the bill look like at Sōma Sando?

Expect to pay between 4 and 9 euros for starters, between 13.50 and 17 euros for sandos, and between 3.50 and 8 euros for desserts. Not cheap for some, but the quality and generosity of the portions justify the price. Drinks include a selection of Japanese teas, an invigorating homemade lemon ginger lemonade and Japanese beers such as Coedo. A bento lunch is available for a complete, balanced meal.

How do we get to Sōma Sando?

Sōma Sando is tucked away at 62 rue de Vaugirard in the 6th arrondissement of Paris, in the Notre-Dame-des-Champs district. To get there, take metro line 4 and get off at Saint-Sulpice station, just 400 meters away. The location on the edge of the Jardin du Luxembourg also offers a cool option: take your sando with you and enjoy it while strolling through the garden. How's that for a lunch in the sun?

The restaurant is open Tuesday to Sunday, 11am to 11pm. The establishment accepts reservations, which can be smart in busy periods. With a seating capacity of 50, the place can also be privatized for events if you want to impress your colleagues or buddies.

In short, if you're looking for a good place to discover Japanese sandos near Luxembourg, Sōma Sando offers generously garnished sandwiches in a well-kept setting. We had a great time. A great discovery for anyone who wants to travel to Japan for lunch.

This test was conducted as part of a professional invitation. If your experience differs from ours, please let us know.