Katsu Katsu: The New Japanese Eatery Specializing in Crispy Breading in Paris 2nd District

Are you a fan of breading, fried chicken, or even tonkatsu? We're taking you on a culinary journey to Katsu katsu, the newest temple of panko in Paris. Located in the 2nd arrondissement, this inventive Japanese restaurant puts the spotlight on Japanese breadcrumbs in all their glory. Forget sushi and maki here— the star of the show is katsu, offered in varieties with pork, chicken, shrimp, mushrooms, and even cheese. Situated at 25 rue Saint-Augustin, this spot, led by Édouard — already behind Bolo Bolo — beckons all lovers of crispy, crunchy delights.

The story behind Katsu katsu is simple and charming: Édouard, a passionate fan of katsu from his travels in Japan, noticed that in Paris, tonkatsu rarely takes center stage. You might find it in Japanese restaurants, but it's often just a side dish. In Japan, the variety is vast and celebrated, while in France, the dish tends to stay in the background. Inspired, Édouard decided to open a restaurant fully dedicated to this cuisine, bringing in a Japanese chef with 25 years of experience. The gamble was bold, but it has largely paid off.

As soon as you step inside, you're greeted by a sleek, modern Japanese-inspired space. An elegant, contemporary setting that’s understated yet full of character. The decor creates an inviting atmosphere, encouraging you to settle in and enjoy thesely crafted breaded specialties—rare finds in the heart of the city.

What’s on the menu at Katsu Katsu?

The menu highlights their signature katsu dishes, offered as a set menu with small vegetable sides, rice, and miso soup (ranging from €16.50 to €19.50), or available à la carte with a crunchy cabbage salad (from €13.50 to €16.50). Classics include the tonkatsu—a breaded pork cutlet coated in Japanese panko— as well as the chicken katsu (breaded chicken fillet), filet tonkatsu (pork fillet), cheese katsu (breaded chicken stuffed with melting cheese), and the ebi katsu (breaded shrimp). The menu also features a tempura set with shrimp and vegetables, imo korokke—potato croquettes with cheese and ground beef—and even a kinoko katsu for mushroom lovers, featuring breaded and fried eryngi mushrooms.

Prices stay quite reasonable for the neighborhood: entrées typically range from €4.50 to €10.50, signature katsu dishes are between €13.50 and €16.50 à la carte, and full menus run from €16.50 to €19.50. There's also a signature Katsu Katsu menu for two at €46, offering a little bit of everything along with two desserts—perfect for sharing.

What are the restaurant’s unique signature dishes?

What truly sets this spot apart are the inventive takes on the classic katsu. You can go for a katsu curry (ranging from €15.50 to €18.50), made fresh each morning with chicken broth and vegetables, served alongside white rice or udon noodles. The real highlight, though, is the katsu pasta (from €16.50 to €19.50)—an unexpected pairing of creamy Italian pasta (plain or spicy buldak style) topped with your favorite katsu. An unlikely combo, but one that surprisingly works wonderfully.

For those seeking a more traditional option, katsu udon (ranging from €11.50 to €14.50) offers a hearty alternative with thick wheat-based noodles served in a flavorful broth. The menu also features the kitsune udon topped with sweet fried tofu, the beef udon with marinated beef strips, the tori udon with tender chicken pieces, and the tempura udon featuring crispy shrimp tempura.

For starters, the selection showcases the skills of a seasoned Japanese chef. Classics include gyoza (pan-fried chicken and vegetable dumplings at €6.50), takoyaki (octopus-filled pancake balls at €6.50), agedashi tofu (fried tofu in a Japanese-style sauce at €7.50), and edamame (€4.50). For more elaborate options, try the kabochani (slow-cooked pumpkin in sweet soy sauce at €5.50), the takokyu (spicy octopus, cucumber, and seaweed salad at €7.50), yakinasu tororo (grilled eggplant topped with grated yam at €7.50), or the mabonasu (fried eggplant stuffed with ground pork at €7.50).

For seafood lovers, options include the shake sushi—fresh salmon sashimi for €10.50—, the shake salad—a fresh salmon salad for €9.50—or the shake engawa yaki, grilled fatty salmon at €10.50. On the meat front, you'll find dishes like the kamo teri, grilled duck breast with sweet soy sauce for €9.50, the torikara, Japanese-style fried chicken pieces at €8.50, the gyutan shio, Japanese-style grilled beef tongue at €8.50, and the spare ribs, Korean-style pork ribs also at €8.50.

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What are our top favorites at Katsu Katsu?

Our top favorite undoubtedly goes to the katsu pasta. We’re completely sold on this innovative dish that blends creamy Italian pasta with the crispy crunch of katsu. Whether paired with chicken, pork, shrimp, mushrooms, or cheesy potato croquettes, this fusion of Italy and Japan works beautifully. A real find that’s unique to Paris and alone worth the trip.

The cheese katsu is a must-try, featuring breaded chicken stuffed with melting cheese that delivers the perfect balance between a crispy exterior and gooey interior. When crunch meets creamy cheese, resistance is futile. This indulgent twist on a classic always wins over every time.

Curry lovers will be drawn to the curry katsu udon, featuring a delicate broth, mild curry, and crispy katsu. It's the perfect comforting dish for cold days in the city.

Guests can enjoy a wide variety of fried dishes and numerous starters that showcase the expertise of a talented 25-year-old Japanese chef. Every plate is crafted with care, and it's clear that passion is behind each presentation.

The chicken katsu is made from a lean, tender chicken breast. While some may miss the juiciness of chicken thighs, others will appreciate the lighter, less greasy profile of the fillets. It's a deliberate choice that will appeal to fans of lean, tender meats.

And what about the desserts?

To end on a sweet note, the menu features classic Japanese desserts like the matcha shiratama — a matcha ice cream topped with azuki red beans and chewy rice pearls for €8.50. There's also the matcha lava toast, a soft matcha-flavored French toast served with creamy toppings, also €8.50. For those craving ice cream, options include single scoops at €3.50 and double scoops at €6, available in flavors such as vanilla, black sesame, matcha, red bean, mango, or yuzu.

Katsu Katsu serves up halal chicken and beef dishes, Halal, as well as a vegetarian option with the kinoko katsu featuring mushrooms. Located at 25 Saint-Augustin Street in the 2nd arrondissement, the restaurant is open from Tuesday to Sunday and also offers delivery and takeout services.

This restaurant is perfect for lovers of Japanese cuisine tired of the same old sushi and maki rolls. It's an ideal place for those eager to explore different facets of Japanese gastronomy. It also makes a great spot for groups of friends or couples wanting to share a variety of dishes through the set menu for two. Families will appreciate the extensive menu, which offers options to please all tastes, from the most traditional to the more adventurous. As you might expect, if fried foods aren't your thing, you'd do better to stick with the appetizers.

In short, if you're on the lookout for a fresh and unique Japanese spot in the 2nd arrondissement, be sure to check out this delightful new place that truly puts the spotlight on katsu, giving it the recognition it deserves. It’s the perfect restaurant for Japanese cuisine lovers wanting to try something beyond the usual sushi fare.

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