📍 Address: 16 rue Sainte-Anne, 75001 Paris (Japanese quarter, near Palais-Royal)
🕙 Hours: Monday to Saturday, roughly 7:30am–8:30pm, closed on Sundays (check Google Maps before you go)
🌐 Official website: akiparis.fr
🚇 Metro: Pyramides (lines 7, 14) or Quatre-Septembre (line 3)
💰 Budget: onigiri €3-4 · melon pan €3-5 · French pastry ~€2
🍵 Don’t leave without: the matcha melon pan (crispy shell, cloud-soft inside) and the tuna-mayo onigiri. My two favorites.
💡 Jipsee’s travel tip: grab your melon pan and go eat it on the Buren columns at the Palais-Royal, just around the corner. The perfect combo. 🌸
You know that magical moment when you stumble upon a place that takes you somewhere else entirely without ever leaving Paris? Well, it happened to me at Aki Boulangerie, 16 rue Sainte-Anne, right in the heart of the Japanese quarter (the locals call it Little Tokyo). And trust me, this tiny French-Japanese bakery is totally worth the detour!
This post contains affiliate links: if you book through them, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. 💛
Walking in: a trip between two worlds
Standing in front of the window, I knew right away I was going to love this place. The corner shopfront is easy to spot, squeezed between the ramen joints and Japanese grocery stores of the street. The second you push the door open, the smell takes you straight away: a mix of warm butter from the French pastries and that sweet, soft scent you only get from Japanese baked goods.
The shop is packed with goodies. A huge choice of sweet and savory, plus a few tables if you want to eat in. There’s a lovely terrace on sunny days too, and that’s exactly what gives the place its charm. The staff are adorable, with that warm Japanese smile, and they speak perfect French with a light accent that makes the whole thing even more poetic.
The display case: spoiled for choice
In front of the glass counter, I had that delicious moment of panic we’ve all been through: everything looks amazing and I have no idea what to pick! On one side, the French classics: golden croissants and perfectly flaky pains au chocolat. On the other, the Japanese specialties winking at me with their soft round shapes, their matcha green color or their shiny glaze.
There were anpan (buns filled with sweet red bean paste), melon pan in different flavors, chewy mochi, and those famous onigiri neatly lined up in their clear wrappers. My heart was torn between tasting everything and not looking like a total glutton in front of the other customers!
My pick: onigiri and matcha melon pan
In the end, I caved for two must-haves:
The tuna-mayo onigiri
You might already know onigiri, those Japanese rice triangles wrapped in a sheet of nori seaweed? Well, at Aki they’re just perfect. I went for the classic tuna with a touch of Japanese mayo (which has NOTHING to do with regular mayo, trust me, it’s softer and slightly sweet).
The rice was still slightly warm, seasoned with just the right amount of vinegar. The seaweed was crunchy on the outside, and every bite hit tender chunks of tuna mixed with that creamy mayo. It’s comforting, not too heavy, and so easy to eat while wandering the streets of the neighborhood!
My tip: eat it within the hour, because the seaweed softens fast and loses its crunch. The best move? Grab a bench at the Palais-Royal next door, breathe in that Parisian air and enjoy it slowly. Trust me, it’s the perfect combo.
🗼 Making a day of it? Have a look at the best tours and activities in Paris on Civitatis or the food tours on GetYourGuide.
The matcha melon pan: a sweet little cloud
OK, this one was LOVE at first bite! Melon pan is that iconic Japanese sweet bun with a crispy sugary shell on top that vaguely looks like a melon (hence the name, there’s no melon in it). Aki’s matcha version is just… chef’s kiss.
It’s already gorgeous to look at, with its pale jade green color. When you bite into it, you first get that crunchy, lightly caramelized outer layer, which contrasts beautifully with the super soft bun inside. The matcha flavor is there without being overpowering: that delicate bitterness of Japanese green tea that pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the dough.
What blew me away was the texture: it’s so airy inside it almost feels like a cloud. And unlike some buns that end up dry, this one stays moist and melt-in-your-mouth. I ate it slowly, savoring every bite, sitting on the famous Buren columns at the Palais-Royal.
Quick tip: warm it up a little if you can (like 20 seconds in the microwave), it wakes up all the matcha flavor and makes the bun even softer. Otherwise, it’s great at room temperature too!
The vibe: tradition meets modern
What makes Aki even more special is the atmosphere. You’re in Paris, right by the Louvre and the Palais-Royal, but for a few minutes you’re transported to a little neighborhood bakery in Tokyo. The customers are a mix of Japanese expats coming for their dose of food nostalgia, Parisian regulars and curious tourists (like me on my first visit!).
I love watching everyone: the regulars order in Japanese, the staff chat with some customers like old friends, and everything happens with an almost meditative calm. No rush, no stress, just that Japanese politeness that warms your heart.
Everything gets wrapped with almost ceremonial care in parchment paper, and you’re handed your bag with a little “arigatō gozaimasu” (thank you very much) and a slight bow. Those little details make all the difference!
What I’m trying next time
Because trust me, there will be a next time! I’ve already spotted a few other gems I absolutely want to try:
- Matcha croissants: mixing both cultures in one pastry, genius
- Anpan: that bun filled with sweet red bean paste (the famous anko), which people either love or hate, but everyone should try at least once
- Japanese sandwiches: those soft crustless sandos, super fresh, perfect for a light lunch
- Sweet potato bread: a fall specialty the regulars warmly recommended
Practical info for your visit
Address: 16 rue Sainte-Anne, 75001 Paris
Official website: akiparis.fr
Metro: Pyramides (lines 7 and 14) or Quatre-Septembre (line 3)
Hours: usually Monday to Saturday, around 7:30am to 8:30pm, closed on Sundays (check before you go, it can change)
Budget: €3-4 for an onigiri, €3-5 for a melon pan, around €2 for a classic French pastry
My tips to make the most of it:
- Come mid-morning (around 11am), when everything is still fresh and the lunch rush hasn’t hit yet
- Get several things to share and taste (you won’t regret it, promise!)
- Make it a stroll through the Japanese quarter: Aki → Kioko Japanese grocery store → Palais-Royal, the perfect little loop
- Bring a bit of cash: some small shops in the area don’t always take cards
- Come a little hungry, because you’ll want to try everything!
🏨 Want to stay right in the area? The streets between the Louvre, Palais-Royal and Opéra are perfect for a first trip to Paris: check hotels near Palais-Royal on Booking.
FAQ: Aki Boulangerie Paris
Where is Aki Boulangerie in Paris?
At 16 rue Sainte-Anne, in the 1st arrondissement, in the Japanese quarter between the Louvre, Palais-Royal and Opéra. Closest metro: Pyramides.
What should I order at Aki Boulangerie?
The melon pan, especially the matcha one, and an onigiri. If you have a sweet tooth, the matcha pastries are worth it too.
Is Aki Boulangerie open on Sundays?
Usually not: it’s open Monday to Saturday. Hours can change, so check Google Maps before you go.
Does Aki Boulangerie have an official website?
Yes: akiparis.fr. It’s also listed on their Google Maps page, along with up-to-date opening hours.
Are there other Aki spots on rue Sainte-Anne?
Yes! The same family also runs Mochi Mochi Aki at 28 rue Sainte-Anne (for mochi lovers) and Aki Café at 75 rue Sainte-Anne, which serves hot Japanese dishes.
My final verdict
Aki Boulangerie is so much more than a bakery. It’s a little Japanese break in the heart of Paris, a food trip that takes you to the other side of the world in a few bites. Between the comforting onigiri and the dreamy matcha melon pan, I found my new comfort food, French-Japanese style.
So if you’re in the area, exploring Little Tokyo or right after a visit to the Louvre next door, swing by Aki. Bite into a matcha melon pan, let that cloud-like texture surprise you, and remember that Paris is that too: a crossroads of the world where cultures meet and make each other even better.
What about you, have you ever tried Japanese pastries? Are you team onigiri or team melon pan? Tell me in the comments!
This post contains affiliate links, which means that when you book an activity or a hotel through them, I earn a small commission. It doesn’t change the price for you, but it helps keep the blog alive.