DokiDoki: the Japanese handroll bar in downtown Paris

This is a very famous Japanese dish, awakening the taste buds from the first bite and fulfilling us. The handroll, this famous roll made by hand and based on nori seaweed is stuffed with Japanese rice and raw fish, and is to be enjoyed without moderation at DokiDoki. New and indulging venue inaugurated in Paris 1^st arrondissement, within the Poste du Louvre – freshly opened – this Japanese handroll bar has it all to become a trendy spot in downtown Paris.

First, there is the décor, both raw, clean and zen with bonsais here and there, placed on shelves behind the counter. This is where magic happens. No table, but tasting straight from the counter to have the greatest point of view on hands preparing these delicious handrolls to order: the main dish of the menu. With crispy nori seaweed and smoky hints (coming from the Ariake Sea in Japan), perfectly cooked lukewarm rice and ultra-smooth raw fish, it is eaten in one bite (or rather 4), and you must eat it with hands. No fuss at DokiDoki.

Moving on to suggestions, the place has several menus, including between 3 and 6 rolls: from salmon to blue lobster, to crab, flounder, scallop, and “toro” the famous fat tuna coming straight from Japan… They are all served in gorgeous ceramic tableware, inspired by the Japanese style.

And to enliven this offer, the place also makes your taste buds dance with a very smooth salmon sashimi, delicious tuna tartare, and a few sides (cucumber salad and edamame). In other words, a short but effective menu, and oh-so delicious! And to pair it all, the house serves sake, Japanese gin and beer, without forgetting tea.

• To be read
• The izakayas of Paris, our best addresses for authentic Japanese tapas
• Japanese restaurants in Paris
• Japanese pastry shops in Paris: Top Spots to enjoy Japanese delicacies

And to finish on a sweet note, enjoy one of the staple Japanese pastries: mochi. On the occasion, DokiDoki has four homemade mochis. Created in partnership with pastry chef Agathe Bernard (Tomo), they are perfect: elastic and smooth! We love the coconut mochi, and the praline one is very indulging. But we also fell in love with the black sesame mochi, and enjoyed the yuzu one.

And who shall we thank for this brilliant and delicious idea? Well, behind DokiDoki stands Romain Taieb, a name that may sound familiar, as he is already behind Piaf and Bambini. For this new venue, Romain teamed up with Thomas Moreau. Together, they wished to create their own sushi bar: a simple and elegant place where you can have a good time, but not too long, like Japanese people do. And rumor has it the opening of this DokiDoki in Paris is the first of a long list to come…

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