Located at the corner of Volta and Maire streets, in the oldest Chinatown in Paris, the restaurant Horiz has been offering a modern take on Southeast Chinese cuisine for the past three years. Taken over by two brothers from a family of restaurateurs, the venue blends family heritage with innovation, focusing on a creative approach to rice, from starters... all the way to desserts!
At this location, the owners of the past used to run a traditional Chinese restaurant, featuring large round tables with rotating lazy Susans in the center. The next generation has taken over, but with a fresh approach—updating the decor to a more modern style and infusing the space with a new energy. A remnant of bygone days, only one round table remains, making it the perfect spot for large groups.
Leading Horiz, Chef Olivier Lin brings a focus on prestigious culinary traditions, having trained under Baptiste Day at Capitaine. Alongside him is Alexandre Lin, the restaurant’s director, with a background in pastry arts. Both those who once followed clear career paths have chosen to leave their predetermined routes to take over the family restaurant—and to breathe new life into it today.
The restaurant’s menu explores the cuisine of Southeast China, traditionally
To stand out among the many Chinese restaurants in the city, the two brothers came up with a brilliant idea: incorporate rice in every aspect of their dishes. From noodles and flour to breadcrumbs and spirits, they creatively use rice in all its forms — including an artisanal rice beer brewed exclusively for the house, and a crème brûlée (€7) that’s irresistibly creamy, infused with roasted rice for a unique, smoky flavor.
The cocktails follow the same trend, featuring signature creations where rice takes center stage—just like the mocktails based on black rice kombucha from Myfermentation, a Parisian craft producer specializing in fermented drinks. For a refreshing example, try the Red Lotus Fizz cocktail (hibiscus syrup, lime juice, yuzu syrup, black rice kombucha, black rice, sparkling water; €8).
The menu, much like the decor—which features a good luck cat here and a tiny Buddha there—also embraces symbolism. The dishes dedicated to Lunar New Year are celebrated here all year round. Highlights include the happiness pasta (13.50€)—thick, oblong rice noodles inspired by grandma’s recipe and family gatherings—served with an abundant layer of vegetables, a tender barbecued pork (14.50€), or shrimp (14.50€), available in both meat and seafood versions.
Other tempting treats include the Bing (€9.50 for a pair), Asian cousins of tacos—thin pancakes made from sticky rice that are both soft and crispy. Packed generously with delicious fillings like tofu, omelette, Peking duck, or a must-try caramelized pork. Then there's the caramelized chicken (€16.50), a showstopper dish that's flambéed at the table with saké for a dramatic presentation.
Horiz demonstrates that in Paris, the revival of Chinese cuisine doesn’t always require a touch of wild creativity—it can sometimes be as simple as a .
This test was conducted as part of a professional invitation. If your experience differs from ours, please let us know.
