Kunitoraya serves the best udon in Paris—all noodles are handmade on site—meaning this tiny shop is, unsurprisingly, always packed. Try the kamo udon, served with duck in a flavorful, piping-hot broth; the ten-zaru udon, which comes with giant shrimp tempura and a tasty dipping sauce; or the katsudon, which features a breaded and fried pork cutlet over rice topped with egg and a savory-sweet sauce made from dashi, mirin, soy sauce, and sake.

Okonomiyaki and takoyaki are the focus at Happa Teï, and you’ll know you’ve arrived when you spy chefs flipping octopus-filled dough through the window. Regardless of whether you order your Japanese pancakes stuffed with cabbage, pork, shrimp, squid, yakisoba, potatoes, or mochi, you should always top them with an egg and a slice of cheese. Don’t be intimidated by the crowds: there’s additional seating upstairs, so your chances of snagging a table are better than they might first seem.

Chez Miki is a lively Japanese bistro with only 16 seats, so be prepared to wait. The menu focuses on yoshoku, or Western-style Japanese dishes, a type of Japanese cuisine that is largely unknown to foreigners but has a storied history in Japan (it originated in the mid-19th century, a byproduct of the Meiji Restoration). Top picks include foie gras nigiri, creamy sea urchin spaghetti with mentaiko (marinated cod roe) and natto (fermented soybean), and grilled dried skate. The restaurant’s wine and sake list is stellar, too.

A no-frills Japanese eatery that covers all the casual classics: okonomiyaki, udon, donburi, karaage, Japanese curry, and more. The affordable lunch menu offers mix-and-match combinations of multiple dishes, perfect when you want to try a little bit of everything. And the long counter overlooking the open kitchen is a solo diner’s best friend.