After waiting a good thirty minutes, we watch Maï Takano (a self-taught chef and teacher) lift the curtain of her tiny, all-red Japanese taverna that, much like the name implies, is no bigger than half a chambre de bonne. Always with a huge smile on her face, even visible behind her mask, the bento box enthusiast whips up a series of freshly made dishes for all those who managed to snag their tickets on time. The day we went for lunch, each preparation was tucked away in its own little compartment: generous potato salad with kewpie mayonnaise and quick-pickled red cabbage; smoking hot fried chicken thighs with teriyaki sauce, served with some perfect edamame rice and half a soft-boiled egg marinated in soy sauce; tangy pickled veggies – lotus root, cucumber, cauliflower and peppers; delicious eggplant fried fresh and glazed in miso. Round it all out with a matcha-flavored mochi made in house. Incredible! // Marise Effouet 

FEELING THIRSTY? : An entirely Japanese selection of drinks: Ramune lemonade (€5 for 200 ml), homemade green tea (€5 for 600 ml), Kirin Ichiban bottled beer (€4 for 330 ml). 
PRICE: : Bento boxes €15-18, desserts €5.