Zhao's Tavern: the true flavors of northern China in Paris
When chance does things well, we push open the doors of a Chinese restaurant in Paris without really knowing what to expect... and we leave with a smile on our face after having been given a little taste slap. This is exactly what happened to us the first time we set foot in La Taverne de Zhao. Here, there are no poseur fusions or decor straight out of Pinterest. We sit down at the table determined to taste authentic and little-known Chinese cuisine, that of the north of the country.
Established in several Parisian arrondissements (here we will focus on the 10th), La Taverne, founded by Zhao in homage to his childhood memories in Xi'an, has become an essential reference for all fans of warm and comforting Chinese cuisine.
And spoiler alert: this success is well deserved.
A popular cuisine full of character
A short menu, low prices
At Zhao's, everything is homemade, and it shows on the plate. The prices, meanwhile, are more than reasonable: around €6 to €10 for noodles or roujiamos, and formulas that invite you to treat yourself for less than €15.
Suffice to say, it's an excellent plan for eating well without blowing your budget.
The menu is deliberately kept small to focus on the essentials—and that's all we ask.
No need for 50 dishes when those on the menu are prepared with this much care!
A simple, almost family atmosphere
Zhao's Tavern is the opposite of a pretentious restaurant looking for its moment of glory. Here, the decor is understated, almost modest: raw wood tables, simple tableware, and a semi-open kitchen. But this simplicity feels good. We're here for the food, the warm welcome, and especially the lavish plates.
In short, you quickly feel at home there, like in a neighborhood canteen where you always find the same regulars... but with recipes that you won't find anywhere else in Paris.
Why do we love it?
- Dishes from northern China that are rarely found in Paris
- Unbeatable value for money for authentic cuisine
- A short but extremely well-executed menu, including noodles, breads and Chinese street food
- A simple, warm and sincere place, where we return with pleasure
Practical information
Several addresses in Paris:
- 37 Rue des Vinaigriers
- 37 rue des jeuneurs
- 22 rue Molière
- 16 rue saint augustin
- 11 rue delambre
- 42 rue de Menilmontant
- 82 rue Mazarine
Opening hours: every day except Monday, from 12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. and from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Site : zhaogroupe.com
Instagram: @latavernedezhao
Zhao's Tavern is a bit like a Xi'an version of Proust's madeleine: a place without artifice but with rare taste bombs in store. A real gem for anyone who wants to discover Chinese cuisine in a different way, far from clichés and closer to its roots.
