During my stay in Paris, I frequently saw lines of people waiting to get into Happa Tei, just down…read morethe street from my hotel. Through the front window, I could see the chef cooking what I later learned to be takoyaki. They looked and smelled delicious, so when I saw that there was no line at lunch one day I decided to hop in. I wasn't disappointed.
The dining area is up a flight of stairs and as cozy and intimate as can be - almost like eating in a treehouse. Great place to take a date, or a group of close friends. Even dining by myself, I felt like I was part of a small in-the-know group of diners about to enjoy a delicious dining experience.
Not much English is spoken at Happa Tei, but it doesn't much matter, as the menu contains pictures and illustrations that made it easy to order without knowing much French, even for a takoyaki novice like myself. I went for the fixed price 13 Euro lunch that included a small salad, four takoyaki, and one okonomikayi. See the pictures I've posted. I loved the takoyaki, although a word of caution - they arrive at your table piping hot, so be careful when taking the first bite to avoid burning your mouth. They were light, fluffy and deliciously savory with the soy and chives ("ciboulettes" in French) topping.
I also enjoyed the okonomiyaki with pork. The sauce tasted almost like American BBQ sauce, and the dish was quite filling, although on my next visit I think I'd prefer to make a meal of the takoyaki and salad. Overall, the lunch was a good value in terms of quality, portion and dining experience.
