(Click to view specific restaurants below)
Jiang-Zhe Cuisine —— Chez Mamie
Northeastern Cuisine — B&B L'EST
Hunan cuisine, known as Xiang cuisine, captivates with its bold spiciness, aromatic flavors, and diverse cooking techniques that embody the spiritedness of Hunan's culture.
23° Xiang is acclaimed as the pinnacle of Hunan cuisine in Paris. Chef Zhang Qiang, renowned for his unique culinary skills and numerous accolades, founded this restaurant with the intent of introducing authentic Hunanese culinary delights to Paris, allowing more guests to delve into Chinese and Hunanese culture.
Chef Zhang's commitment to his craft means you can find the most authentic Hunan cuisine here. The Stir-fried Pork with Garlic Sprouts is a signature dish, pairing fresh garlic shoots with salty and crispy smoked pork, a rarity in Paris.
The Stir-fried Beef with Bell Peppers demonstrates the chef's mastery of heat, rendering the beef silky and complemented by the crunchy peppers. Additionally, classic Hunan dishes like hand-torn cabbage and stir-fried sour beans with minced meat are moderately spicy, perfectly preserving the freshness of the ingredients.
A connoisseur of wine, Chef Zhang enjoys sharing a glass with guests, offering recommendations for red wine pairings that complement Chinese dishes. The restaurant, resembling a private dining house, mainly caters to regulars. Remember to book in advance if you wish to experience this distinctive Hunanese eatery to avoid missing out.
Address:23 Bd des Capucines, 75002 Paris
Transportation : Metro line - M3, M8, M9, RER-A, Station - Opéra
Opening Hours: 12–3 PM, 7–10 PM (Close on Monday)
In Paris, Cantonese restaurants are plentiful, but the quality varies; however, Long Hoa in Paris's Chinatown (the 13th district) stands out for its authentic Cantonese flavors.
The beauty of Cantonese cuisine lies in its vivid colors, savory tastes, and refreshing dishes, all of which are perfectly manifested here. The restaurant's signature dish, the Empress Chicken, is tender and savory with a fresh taste, enhanced by ginger sauce. The Braised Pork Feet in Red Bean Curd is a star dish, with its soft and rich flavor, making it a satisfying meal with a bowl of white rice.
Address:11 Rue Philibert Lucot, 75013 Paris
Transportation : Metro line – M7, Station - Maison Blanche
Opening Hours: 11 AM–11 PM (Close on Tuesday)
Jiangsu and Zhejiang cuisines, also known as Jiangzhe or Huaiyang cuisine, are renowned for their delicate, fresh, and subtly sweet flavors, capturing the essence of natural ingredients. Chez Mamie, embodying this tradition, offers a homely dining experience with its flavorful yet light Jiang-Zhe dishes, distinguished by their refined textures and culinary finesse.
One of the proudest offerings at Chez Mamie is the Squirrel Fish, a testament to the chef's exquisite knife skills and precise flavor control. The fish, ingeniously prepared, features a crispy exterior and juicy interior, with a perfect balance of sweet and sour that surprises with every bite.
The Burnt Three Treasures, combining eggplant, tofu, black fungus, squid, and shrimp, is a dish where a rich array of ingredients each contributes a unique texture and flavor, culminating in a classic dish that showcases the intricate cooking philosophy of Jiang-Zhe cuisine.
Additionally, dishes like the Needle Mushroom Beef Pot and Golden Sand Sweet Potatoes are each distinctive, with just the right flavors to linger in the memory.
Address:18 Rue du Grenier-Saint-Lazare, 75003 Paris
Transportation : Metro line - M11, Bus – 29,38,75, Station - Rambuteau
Opening Hours: 12PM–11 PM (Close on Wednesday)
Stepping into B&B L'EST is like entering the land of Northeast China, where the generous portions and robust flavors of the dishes bring the unique charm of Northeastern cuisine to life.
The Multicolor Cold Noodles, a signature cold dish of B&B L'EST, is visually stunning with a soft texture, complemented by refreshing cucumbers, crunchy black fungus, and crushed peanuts. The sesame sauce is perfectly blended, making this dish an excellent appetizer.
The Sweet and Sour Pork and Braised Pork Noodles are classic dishes not to be missed. The pork is thinly coated and crispy, with the right thickness, and each slice is imbued with a subtle vinegar aroma.
The Braised Pork Noodles wins over many diners with its hearty portions and rich flavor. Also, the grilled skewers, stir-fried okra, and embroidered shrimp balls showcase the diversity and allure of Northeastern cuisine.
Address:7 Rue Saint-Laurent, 75010 Paris
Transportation : Metro line - M4, M5, M7, Station - Gare de l’Est
Opening Hours: 11AM–15 PM, 18PM–23PM (Close on Wednesday)
Sichuan cuisine is famous for its spicy, aromatic flavors, with many unforgettable classic dishes. However, Chongqing hotpot holds a special place in the hearts of foodies with its unique taste and charm, and so we highlight Fondue 9, a genuine Chongqing hotpot restaurant in Paris.
The hotpot broth here is made with traditional beef tallow, rich in aroma yet not greasy. Select hotpot ingredients, such as spicy duck blood and tripe, are must-tries. The tripe, cooked according to the "seven up, eight down" method, is just right after eight dunks in the broth, fully absorbing the essence of the spicy base and ensuring a feast for the taste buds. Whether you are an old fan of Chongqing hotpot or a newcomer, you will fall in love with it here.
Address:168 Rue Saint-Denis, 75002 Paris
Transportation : Metro line – M3, M11, Station - Arts et Métiers
Opening Hours: Everyday, 12PM–14:30PM, 18:30PM–23PM
Da Pai Dang is a paradise for night-time gourmets in Paris. With a diverse menu and service until 1 AM, it's the ideal spot for late-night cravings. If you're ever in doubt about what to eat, Da Pai Dang is the place to go.
From traditional Cantonese dishes like Black Pepper Beef Cubes to Jiang-Zhe classics like Dongpo Pork, and even Fujian specialties like Fujian Meatball Soup, each dish captures the essence of its cuisine, presenting the multifaceted charm of Chinese food. Additionally, the famous Lu Cuisine dish, Nine Turns Intestines, is worth trying, with a smooth texture and a sweet soy aroma.
Of course, the star dish at Da Pai Dang has to be the Boiled Fish With Pickled Mustard. Its rich broth and tender fish, with a numbingly spicy appetizing trait, make it the best choice for late-night dining.
And don't forget to try the Vegetable Fried Rice with Deep-Fried Dough Sticks, where the salty taste of preserved vegetables and the aroma of sausage perfectly blend into the rice, with the dough sticks adding a unique texture, making this fried rice one of Da Pai Dang's signatures.
Address:84 Rue Baudricourt, 75013 Paris
Transportation : Metro line – M7, Station - Maison Blanche
Opening Hours: Everyday, 18:30PM– 1AM
In the past, tasting the distinctive cuisines from different regions of China required extensive travel. Now, in the cosmopolitan city of Paris, we are fortunate to have a one-stop experience of a variety of Chinese culinary delights.
Thanks to those chefs who have travelled across oceans, not only have they brought Chinese cuisine to the international stage, but they have also made the world fall in love with this taste from the Orient.
Photo: Obon Paris Team
Content: Gentlerazo