While the Marais in Paris is one of the city’s prettiest and most popular neighbourhoods, it’s not always easy to find a good and affordable place to grab lunch. Pontochoux, a few steps from the Saint-Sébastien – Froissart metro stop is the perfect spot to take a break from gallery hopping or shopping.
The small hole in the wall specialises in one of Japan’s culinary staples – its “karē’s” or curry. If when you think curry, India curry dishes come to mind, you’ll be surprised by “karē’s” taste. The sauce is a beef, carrot, celery, and onion stew; it comes with rice, cabbage, and fermented radishes as well as your choice of meat. A great option if you’re tired of ramen or sushi.
At Pontochoux, I went for the fried chicken, which my sister, a local, strongly recommended. The batter was extremely light and the taste reminded me of Korean fried chicken, one of my favourite dishes. I also had a Japanese Kirin beer – I really like how fresh it is and how it pairs with fried food, such as tempura or tonkatsu. Next time I’ll go for the udon noodle salad. Packed with vegetables, it’s the slightly healthier menu option.
Sitting space is limited but it’s totally worth the wait! You can alternatively take away and enjoy your meal in Square du Temple or the garden or the Hôtel Salé.
