Paris has long been celebrated for its culinary traditions, yet a new wave of young Chinese chefs and restaurateurs are reshaping the city's palate. Moving beyond familiar takeaway dishes many Parisians grew up with, these entrepreneurs are opening stylish, regionally focused dining rooms that highlight the depth and diversity of Chinese cuisine.

Food critic Grace Ly tells CGTN the transformation has been massive. "More than 10 or 15 years ago, it wasn't as specific and plural as it is today. We had mostly southern Chinese food. Now, a lot of regions have their own restaurants."

What is emerging in Paris is a new culinary language. From northeastern skewers charred over grills, to delicate dim sum topped with shredded French cheese, chefs are blending traditional techniques with fresh local ingredients. Dishes like pork simmered in cognac show how these kitchens are creating flavours that feel both familiar and completely new.

At SENsation, one of the most talked-about new openings, owner Chef Lee has a new approach to contemporary Chinese dining: "Every dish is very authentic Chinese cuisine, but we use French ingredients. It's an authentic technique with local products."

Co-founder Romain Forest says they wanted to create a restaurant that felt rooted in Chinese culinary heritage… yet unmistakably Parisian. 

"Our idea was to create a place different from what was already offered. In Paris, one finds either very gastronomic restaurants… or perhaps warmer locations, more in the traditional style. We are positioning ourselves somewhat between the two, to offer products of very good quality… to create authentic Chinese cuisine, also using local products," he said. 

For many diners, the experience is a welcome discovery. As Forest puts it, "They are somewhat surprised to rediscover Chinese cuisine…because they were accustomed to different things… Today, we are offering something new on the Parisian scene."

That vision is shared by pioneers like Madame Fan, whose director Alexandre Lamoureux describes their approach saying, "The focus is on working with fresh ingredients and authentic cuisine to introduce Parisians to Chinese cuisine. We showcase French ingredients that add value to Chinese cuisine because it's important to work with local ingredients."

More restaurants like these are opening every month, each adding another layer to the story. And for Grace Ly, this evolution carries a much broader meaning. "I think food is a great place for dialogue between cultures.

"I think the fact that we appreciate food coming from somewhere else with different ingredients or different ways of making them, it can only be a good sign of how the people in our world should live together."

In a city defined by its love of food and taste, this new chapter of Chinese cuisine is not just whetting Paris's appetite… It's deepening its understanding of the people and cultures that shape it.