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Tag: comfort food Paris Korea

  • Olive Chicken: When You Miss Korean Fried Chicken in Paris

    There are times when all you want is crispy, juicy Korean fried chicken — boneless, perfectly seasoned, and served just the way you remember from home.
    For me, that place in Paris is Olive Chicken, tucked away on a quiet street in the 14th arrondissement. I first came across it while searching for something comforting on a rainy day, and I’ve returned for birthdays, celebrations, and the occasional homesick craving.

    1. A Small Shop That Gets It Right

    Olive Chicken is located at 6 Rue Poinsot, 75014 Paris, not far from Denfert-Rochereau.
    The restaurant itself is small and modest, but the flavors inside are anything but. From the first bite, I knew — this wasn’t just inspired by Korean fried chicken. It was Korean fried chicken.

    Everything from the crispy texture to the sweet, spicy sauces tasted just like the 치킨 I used to have in Seoul. Even the boneless cuts are on point — tender, well-seasoned, and never dry.

    2. A Menu That Covers All the Classics

    What I love about Olive Chicken is how many familiar favorites are on the menu. You can choose from:

    • Boneless or whole chicken
    • Sweet soy, spicy, garlic, or “yang nyum” sauces
    • Classic styles like pa-dak (with scallions) or snowy onion
    • Half-and-half options like Ban Ban or Ban Ban Ban

    There are also wings, chicken udon, salads, rice bowls, and Korean side dishes like pickled radish and tteok (rice cakes).
    You can sit in, take out, or even get delivery — and there’s Korean beer, yuzu drinks, and even cinnamon highball on the drink menu.

    The prices are around €20–30 per person, and portions are more than enough for sharing.

    3. A Favorite for Kids and Celebrations

    When my child’s birthday came around, this was the spot we chose. It wasn’t about fancy cakes or a big venue — just good chicken, lots of sauces, and the taste of home.
    It’s also a great choice for group dinners, casual meetups, or when you want something fun and familiar.

    If you’re traveling or living in Paris and find yourself missing Korean fried chicken — the real kind, not just fried wings — Olive Chicken is a place I would absolutely recommend.

  • Madang: For When You Miss Korean-Style Tonkatsu in Paris

    If you’ve ever lived in Korea — or simply fallen in love with its food — you know that Korean-style pork cutlet (돈까스) is something special. It’s crispy on the outside, tender inside, and always comes with rice, shredded cabbage, and that nostalgic brown sauce.
    During my stay in Paris, there were times I really missed that exact meal. And when that craving hit, I would go to Madang.

    Here’s why I think it’s worth a visit:

    1. Korean Comfort Food in the 15th Arrondissement

    Located at 141 Rue de la Croix Nivert, Madang is a Korean restaurant that’s better known for its barbecue — but their tonkatsu is also worth noting.
    The restaurant is quiet and welcoming, with staff who are familiar with both locals and long-time Korean residents in Paris. It’s the kind of place where you sit down and instantly feel like you’ve come home for dinner.

    2. Tonkatsu That Delivers on Flavor and Portion

    Madang’s Korean-style tonkatsu isn’t the cheapest in town — you’ll pay around €20–25 for the meal.
    But what you get is a large, crispy cutlet, nicely plated with rice, shredded salad, dipping sauce, and side dishes. It’s not fusion or French-style — it’s exactly the kind of 돈까스 you’d expect to find in a Korean neighborhood diner.

    The texture is just right, and the portion is generous enough that I never left hungry. On cold Paris nights or tired days, it hit the spot every time.

    3. For When You Just Want a Familiar Meal

    There are times when you want to explore new food, and there are times when you just want something familiar.
    Madang is where I went when I needed something Korean, comforting, and solid — especially when tonkatsu was what I had in mind.

    If you’re in Paris and looking for a meal that brings you back to Seoul (or Busan, or Daegu), this is one of those places that gets it right.