Yabaï Sando: Walter Ishizuka's gourmet concept in Paris

For several months now, the sando has been invading the streets of Paris. This famous Japanese sandwich, as moist as it is comforting, has Parisians in search of something new and original. Since September 6, 2022, a spot dedicated to this Japanese street food specialty has opened in Paris.

Called Yabaï Sando, this gourmet concept and genuine coffee shop was conceived by the friendly and inspired Walter Ishizuka. A former chef at the Hoxton, this specialist in Franco-Japanese fusion cuisine also worked at Paul Bocuse and the Ritz. For his own establishment, Yabaï Sando, Walter Ishizuka has imagined a modern, welcoming place where you can come and enjoy this Japanese specialty in complete relaxation. But don't be fooled: here, sando is available in a gourmet version, based on quality products, to be enjoyed on the premises or, of course, to take away.

The proof is in this Wagyu beef sando (from Australia) with its spicy shichimi sauce, charcoal bread, coleslaw and pickles. Alternatively, opt for the free-range chicken sando with a black sesame sauce.

For fish lovers, opt for the excellent salmon sando, perfectly cooked and sourced from Bölmo, a Norwegian island in the North Sea. To accompany it, the chef has opted for a delicious coriander sauce and ultra-soft white bread.

And for vegetarians, discover the miso eggplant sando with miso mayo. Soon, in addition to the regular menu, the coffee shop will be offering a special sando that will change every month.

• To be read
• Where to eat a good sando in Paris? Our good addresses
• Japanese restaurants in Paris
• Tips for the week of December 30, 2024 - January 5, 2025 in Paris: free or cheap outings

The highlight? Shokupan, the specific bread used to make these sandos. It comes from Julhès and is slightly brighter than traditional bread. Yabaï Sando offers two recipes: a white bread and a black charcoal bread. The buns are then breaded according to the rules of the art, with egg and panko breading to obtain a dish that is both soft and crispy.

To accompany these sandos, Yabaï Sando suggests sweet potato fries with nori and shichimi, red cabbage or a Wakame salad.

For those with a sweet tooth, Walter Ishizuka has also come up with some ultra-gourmet sando recipes, including the choco hazelnut sando, generously topped with a choco praline sauce and hazelnut pieces for crunch, and the Monochrome iced sando with black sesame ice cream, charcoal bread and honey.

And there's no shortage of choice when it comes to beverages, from cold drinks and Japanese beer to hot beverages such as the unmissable Matcha Latte or Flat White, with coffee distributed by Maison Coutume.

So, are you ready to travel to Japan with one of Walter Ishizuka 's tasty sandos?