Gawa

🍱 Gawa｜12:00–22:00｜21 Rue du Roule, 75001 Paris

After visiting the Samaritaine department store, I didn’t want to go far for dinner, so I saw this place, Gawa, nearby. It specializes in Japanese cuisine and some ready-to-eat options, and the reviews weren't bad, making it perfect for takeout to eat back at the hotel. This time, we ordered chicken fried noodles (€10.9), char siu fried rice (€9.9), fried spring rolls (€4.9), and fried dumplings (€11.9). Overall, it was convenient, quick, and the taste was up to a basic standard.

The fried noodles had a Japanese soy sauce flavor; the seasoning was on the lighter side but didn’t feel bland. The chicken was cut into large pieces, not dry, and paired well with cabbage, onions, and other ingredients, giving it a familiar street food vibe. The char siu fried rice was unexpectedly better than I imagined, with chunks of sweet char siu, and the rice was well-fried with each grain distinct. Overall, it wasn't greasy, but towards the end of the bowl, there was still a bit of oil that felt a bit heavy on the palate.

The fried spring rolls were average, with little filling and plain taste; the dumplings had a thicker skin, which made them dry and hard to eat, and they performed even worse when cooled down. They weren't terrible, but not something you must try either.

Considering the prices in Paris, a hot takeaway meal like this is quite satisfying, especially after a long day’s itinerary, being able to enjoy familiar flavors back in the hotel was just right.