YOKO

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YOKO Rennes: Japanese-Inspired Cuisine, Michelin Bib Gourmand

YOKO: Japanese-Inspired Dining in Rennes

Chef Julien Lemarié opened YOKO as the "little sister" to his original restaurant, IMA, in Rennes. The name itself — YOKO — means "next to" in Japanese, reflecting its close relationship to its sibling. The concept is built on the idea of a home that is both of its time and true to its creator, where substance and style are in harmony. Drawing from the chef’s travels, YOKO serves a carefully crafted Japanese cuisine.

The restaurant has earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand for its good quality, good value cooking. At lunch, YOKO offers set formulas inspired by seasonal produce: a menu at 24 euros includes an entrée, main, and dessert, while a 30-euro option adds an okonomiyaki. Dishes like a crunchy sesame vegetable salad, a black mullet donburi with Jerusalem artichoke and leek, or a braised guinea fowl with shiitake and celeriac are typical of the rotating menu.

In the evening and on Saturday lunch, the focus shifts to small plates and a blind tasting menu at 55 euros per person. Small plates range from hummus with pumpkin seed and rice chips to sea bass with cauliflower and shichimi, or BBQ guinea fowl with sweet potato and fermented cabbage. Desserts include a carrot cake with turmeric and puffed rice, or a chocolate, chili, and sesame cream. The dining room also features outdoor seating and is available for private parties.