The story
La Table de Megumi serves contemporary Japanese cuisine in Saint-Jean-de-Luz, guided by chef Megumi Yanase. After training at Koba in Paris and Etxe Nami nearby, she settled along the Quai Maurice Ravel to bridge two culinary worlds. The French guide Le Fooding recognized this approach when they added her kitchen to their 2026 list, noting how she treats local produce through an Honshu lens.
Visitors often start with the lunch dashi, simmered from kombu, smoked bonito flakes, and shiitake mushrooms until the liquid carries a deep umami character. Thick tamagoyaki follows, layered with diced zucchini, eggplant, onion, and green pepper, then served alongside steamed white rice. Evening tables shift toward crisp vegetable gyoza and a fragrant ginger broth tossed with ground pork and toasted breadcrumbs. Sweet finishes like a classic fraisier or pears poached in house-made yuzu syrup close the meal cleanly.
The dining room opens onto a quiet riverside terrace where guests watch boats drift past while eating. Fresh seafood and mountain vegetables arrive straight from nearby Basque markets, allowing Yanase to apply precise knife work and fermentation techniques without overwhelming the original ingredients. This balance between regional sourcing and island heritage keeps the Japanese cooking grounded and accessible throughout the year.
Recognition
Location
