10 Top Japanese Restaurants in Aix-en-Provence

You’ll find Yojisu tucked down a road outside of the centre of Aix, close to many of the out-of-town retail stores. It’s been serving a faithful crowd who have been coming out of their way to eat here since 1988. It’s often full of office workers during the week and families at the weekends. The decor is chic, the service attentive and the food beloved.

Koi has both a sushi bar and a teppanyaki restaurant and locals love both. It has a terraced area which is shaded in summer and heated in winter (make sure you book a table specifically in the terrace if that’s what you want). It always ranks really highly on TripAdvisor for the service and the food.

Naruto can be found in the cobbled streets of Old Town, among the bars and restaurants. It’s a favourite street for nightlife – for tourists and locals alike. The staff is mostly Japanese and they also do a tiramisu that comes highly recommended.

O’Zen is one of those places that people go back to over the years. It’s opposite the cinema in Aix and part of a chain covering Aix and Marseille. The key attraction is the sushi served buffet-style, which you can keep helping yourself to until you’re full. The setting is inside/outside, as if you are in a covered tropical garden, and the welcome friendly.

Izumi is a small restaurant with a few tables in a one-room setting with an open kitchen at the back. It’s on the casual end of Japanese restaurants in Aix with a laid-back vibe. Check out Facebook for details.

Aji Sushi is a modern sushi restaurant with a wide variety of California rolls, sashimi and salads. The restaurant is small and cosy with big windows to watch the world go by in a very central location. Check out Facebook for menu updates and specials.

Yamato is a fine dining restaurant with white linen tablecloths, offering a more upmarket Japanese dining experience. Run by Koji and Yuriko Someya, the restaurant also has three rooms to sleep designed in a traditional Ryokan style – that of a traditional Japanese hostel. The chef, Koji Someya, does teriyaki, sashimi, noryaki and Japanese flan dishes. The Classic Menu starts at €43 and goes up to €98 for the Chef’s Surprise (for which you’ll need to book in advance). It’s pure Japanese luxury in the south of France.

Niji Express is a delicatessen and small restaurant selling several sushi dishes, like sukiyaki and soba. Check out Facebook for updated details and photos. It’s on the Rue d’Italie where you’ll find all the delicatessens (cheese shops, charcuteries and wine sellers).

Sushi Shop is an institution with Aixois locals who have been going for years. It’s an international chain with a good reputation that offers delivery and sit-down dinner options. It has a wide variety of California rolls and you can order online if you’re feeling lazy.