Japanese Pastry in Paris
Even the avid pastry junkie in Paris may tire of the usual tarte du jour and seek teatime refuge in wagashi, the equally stylized, ancient pastry of Japan. And while Japanese-influenced green tea macarons and other pastries are now de rigeur at French pastry houses like Ladurée and Pierre Hermé, Paris has a handful of elegant Japanese tea salons and pâtisseries where you can enjoy authentic Japanese tea and pastries in an exotic setting far from the everyday ambiance of your local café.
Yamazaki
6, Chaussée de la Muette
75116 16ème Arrondissement Paris, Paris, France
At this popular Japanese-owned pastry shop and tea salon in the 16th arrondissement, you can find Japanese-influenced French confections as well as sandwiches and … salads. Yamazaki has been a favorite outpost of Japanese pastries in Paris since 1988. [link]
Toraya
10, Rue Saint-Florentin
75001 1er Arrondissement Paris, Paris, France
Open since 1980, Toraya is one of the first Japanese pastry outposts to open in Paris, and is probably the most famous. Seasonal pastries and French-Japanese hybrids are … made with ingredients like red beans, rice flour, and agar-agar. Try the matcha cake stuffed with red beans and marrons glacés, or chocolate truffles stuffed with red bean paste and an eau-de-vie-soaked red cherry. Toraya also offers light lunches and a selection of matcha and green teas. [link]
Sadaharu Aoki
35, Rue de Vaugirard
75006 6ème Arrondissement Paris, Paris, France
[link]
Minamoto Kitchoan
17, Place de la Madeleine
75008 8ème Arrondissement Paris, Paris, France
Nestled on the Place de la Madeleine is the pricey and elegant Minamoto Kitchoan, with its bewitching selection of wagashi lined up like mysterious little edible jewels … in the pastry case. The Paris branch of this Japanese pastry house and salon de thé includes sweet confections and green tea, with traditional Japanese music playing in the background. [link]
Hanawa
26, Rue Bayard
75008 8ème Arrondissement Paris, Paris, France
A salon de thé japonais with a selection of matcha, herbal, and green teas, Japanese pastry from Toraya (and Jean-Paul Hévin for the unadventurous), Hanawa is an … oasis of calm in the 8th arrondissement. With clean lines and a modern aesthetic -- sleek red lacquered tables and comfortable upholstered chairs, with flat screens broadcasting calming Japanese nature scenes -- you can trick yourself into thinking you're on another continent. [link]
Chajin
24, Rue Pasquier
75008 8ème Arrondissement Paris, Paris, France
Tea or lunch is available in the tranquil salle japonaise at Chajin, in La Maison du Thé Vert in the 8th. Try pâtisseries japonaises made from chestnuts or cake au … thé vert to accompany your tea. La Maison du Thé Vert also hosts special tea tastings, Japanese tea ceremony demonstrations, and other events. Open Monday to Friday from noon to 6 p.m. [link]
