Want a change of scenery? No need to travel the 9,700 km to Tokyo to feel like you're in the Land of the Rising Sun. Since spring 2016, the rue Mazarine, in the Odéon district, has been living to the rhythm of Japanese gastronomy thanks to Kodawari Ramen.
At No. 29 of this street is indeed hiding an incredible stall. Open your eyes and ears wide and let yourself be carried away by this fabulous immersive experience offered by Kodawari Ramen.
Behind this true temple dedicated to Ramen, there is Jean-Baptiste Meusnier. A former fighter pilot and airline pilot, this very friendly entrepreneur has an overwhelming passion for Japan and especially for its gastronomy, especially for Ramen. He remembers with precision his very first bite tasted in Japan.
After traveling more than 12,000 km in the Land of the Rising Sun to discover the most popular dishes there, meeting with Japanese chefs and taking several training courses, Jean-Baptiste created Kodawari Ramen.
Kodawari Ramen is a unique sensory journey in Japan. First of all, our eyes are amazed by this reconstitution of a Yokocho.
On the spot, everything gives us the feeling of being in Japan with the inevitable gadgets but also the luminous lanterns, the visible cables and even this false sewer mouth modeled in the Shibuya district of Tokyo. Our ears are also surprised by a soundtrack of Tokyo street ambience recorded by Jean-Baptiste Meusnier during his many trips to Japan.
Upstairs, another atmosphere with a Japanese Zen lounge: cups for tea, old television recovered in Japan or Japanese slippers... Here again, the trip works.
Once settled, the second part of this immersive experience begins. Our taste buds are about to be seduced by the different dishes offered, all home-made.
For starters, Kodawari Ramen unveils several small plates from 2,50 € to 6 €. On the menu?Edamame, soy beans in their pods, but also the inevitable wakame, the perfumed seaweed salad or the Tori Soboro Don (Rice, marinated minced chicken, seaweed).
What's next? The famous ramen, whose broths are made from free-range chicken and the noodles are made on the spot with wheat flour grown in the restaurant's own field. " The ramen noodles require a very special wheat flour. So we decided to grow our own wheat in order to offer our customers noodles just like in Japan," Jean-Baptiste tells me.
And the quality doesn't stop there, since Kodawari Ramen also uses farm chicken and roasted pork from the Basque farm of Abotiafor its ramen... carefully selected products that make all the difference.
On the menu, four ramen with, in addition, a seasonal ramen.
A piece of advice, opt for the unavoidable and original Kurogoma Ninniku Ramen made with black sesame sauce, marinated red label roasted pork, mizuna, bamboo and soy shoots, onion. With its more than tender roasted pork, delicious noodles and tasty black sesame sauce, this ramen has become the house specialty. The best part? Add to it the Tamago supplement, for 2 €, a big soft-boiled farm egg, simmered in a soy sauce broth. A real delight!
Other supplements are possible: the Chashu for 2,50 € (slice of roasted and marinated pork from the Basque farm of Abotia), or the Kaedama noodle supplement for 2,50 €.
Otherwise, let yourself be tempted by the Shio Ramen composed of a salty broth, marinated roasted chicken supreme, roasted tomato with olive oil, mizuna, bamboo shoots and onion.
Finally, for those with a sweet tooth, discover the house creation: a delicious white sesame whipped cream, flavored with Sancho pepper, topped with crunchy almonds and speculos in salted butter.
And to accompany it all, Kodawari Ramen offers Japanese lemonades flavored with strawberry and served in a colorful bottle with a ball to play with, but also beers (Kirin) or an excellent light and fruity sake that will sublimate your dishes.
Proof of its success is the long queue at the entrance of the restaurant. Moreover, the establishment does not take reservations so, a piece of advice, arrive early to have a place or wait!
Recently, Kodawari Ramen even opened a pop up store in... New York, invited by the specialist Ramen Lab.
What's next? Inviting Japanese chefs on a regular basis starting in September to cook new ramen recipes for Parisian customers. This will extend the immersion in Japan to the delight of our taste buds.
Please note that it's been over 4 years since our last visit, so the place and experience may have changed.
Dates and Opening Time
Starts June 22, 2020
Location
Kodawari Ramen
29 Rue Mazarine
75006 Paris 6
Recommended age
For all
