Higuma has served ramen on Rue Sainte-Anne since 1983, making it one of the earliest and most established restaurants on a street that has since developed into Paris's de facto Japanese quarter, often called the city's Little Tokyo for its density of Japanese grocers, bookshops, and noodle counters. The restaurant's defining feature is its completely open kitchen, positioned directly within the dining room rather than hidden behind a wall, so diners watch bowls of ramen assembled and noodles boiled to order throughout the meal — an approach that was unusual in Paris when the restaurant opened and remains a distinguishing feature of the address today. The menu stays close to a classic, unfussy formula: a small number of broth styles, most notably a well-balanced shio (salt-based) broth, served with wheat noodles, chashu pork, a marinated egg, and simple vegetable garnishes. Gyoza, pan-fried and crisp on one side, are a near-mandatory addition, and a handful of donburi rice bowls round out a menu deliberately kept small rather than sprawling across every conceivable Japanese dish. Prices remain notably low for central Paris, and the restaurant's speed and simplicity have made it a long-time favourite for a fast, satisfying lunch among office workers in the surrounding 1st arrondissement as well as visitors exploring the Palais-Royal and Opéra areas nearby. Seating is at counters and close-set tables, encouraging a quick turnover rather than a lingering meal, and queues form regularly at the lunch peak given the restaurant's enduring popularity and the sheer density of competing ramen counters that have since opened around it on the same short street.
| Price | € — ramen €8–€14, gyoza +€4–€6 (~$8.75–$15.25, ~$4.35–$6.55) |
|---|---|
| Hours | Daily 11:30–22:00 |
| Reservations | No reservations; walk-in, queues common at lunch |
| Address | 32bis Rue Sainte-Anne, 75001 Paris, France |
Signature dishes
- Shio ramen
- Gyoza
- Donburi (rice bowls)
Good to know
- Known for
- One of the original anchors of Paris's Rue Sainte-Anne 'Little Tokyo,' serving simple, authentic ramen from an open kitchen since 1983
Weather through the year in France
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for France.
Location
32bis Rue Sainte-Anne, 75001 Paris, France
48.8672, 2.3352 View on map
Highlights
- Operating since 1983, one of the original anchors of Rue Sainte-Anne's Japanese restaurant district
- Fully open kitchen within the dining room — ramen assembled and noodles boiled in view of diners
- Shio ramen and pan-fried gyoza are the most consistently praised orders
- Low prices relative to the central 1st arrondissement location
Tips for visiting
- Visit slightly before or after the 12:30–13:30 lunch peak to avoid the longest queues
- The shio (salt) broth is generally considered the standout among the broth options
- Gyoza pairs well as a side without overwhelming the ramen portion
- Rue Sainte-Anne has several other well-regarded ramen shops nearby for comparison on a repeat visit
Accessibility
The restaurant is at street level with no steps. Seating is primarily counter-style with close-set tables, which can be tight for wheelchair users, particularly during the lunch rush.
Visit, book or contact
Frequently asked questions
Does Higuma take reservations?
No, the restaurant operates on a walk-in basis only, and queues are common during the lunch rush given its long-standing popularity.
What is distinctive about the kitchen setup?
Higuma has a fully open kitchen positioned within the dining room itself, allowing diners to watch the ramen being prepared and noodles boiled throughout their meal.
Is Rue Sainte-Anne a good area for Japanese food generally?
Yes, the street is often referred to as Paris's Little Tokyo, home to numerous Japanese restaurants, grocers, and bookshops, with Higuma being one of the earliest and most established addresses.