Akira Back Paris

The story

Akira Back Paris: Michelin-Recommended Japanese Fusion in Paris

Akira Back Paris: Japanese-Korean Fusion in the Golden Triangle

Chef Akira Back’s first European restaurant arrives in Paris with a clear ambition: to merge the precision of Japanese techniques with the bold flavors of his Korean heritage and global influences. Housed within the historic Art Deco Prince de Galles hotel on Avenue George V, Akira Back Paris is a Michelin-recommended destination for those seeking a refined, cosmopolitan take on Asian fusion cuisine.

The chef’s path to Paris is anything but conventional. Born in South Korea and raised in Aspen, Colorado, Back was a professional snowboarder until an injury redirected his career. He trained in Japanese cuisine, and by 2008 he opened his first restaurant, Yellowtail, at the Bellagio in Las Vegas. Named Best Chef in Las Vegas that same year, he later gained fame as a competitor on Iron Chef. Today, his name spans 21 locations worldwide; Paris marks his debut in Europe.

The Space and the Menu

Designed by London’s Blacksheep agency, the dining room draws on the Japonisme movement of the 1920s, a period when Japanese art profoundly influenced European aesthetics. The space balances heritage with contemporary luxury: custom furniture, a timber-paneled sushi counter, original mosaics, and a majestic Murano crystal chandelier. Abstract paintings by the chef and vibrant plates designed by his mother add personal warmth.

The menu is built on signature dishes that have defined Akira Back’s reputation. The AB Tuna Pizza—crisp, thin, topped with raw tuna and a dusting of white truffle—is a standout. Wagyu bulgogi tacos draw directly from Korean childhood flavors, while salmon tataki comes with a bold mustard su-miso sauce and pickled wasabi. Dessert, notably the Gianduja cake with chocolate crumble, banana foam, and vanilla gelato, provides a structured finish. Service runs nightly from 7:00 PM to midnight, with outdoor seating on Le Patio available in season.

The Michelin guide’s recommendation underscores the consistency of the experience: a kitchen that honors technique without losing the energy of cross-cultural cooking. For diners looking for one of Paris’s most compelling Japanese restaurants, this is a kitchen worth knowing.