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Though extremely simple, Japanese onigiri, those handheld balls of rice and seasoning, are simply delicious and addicting. Dating back over 1,200 years to the Nara Period, onigiri were created as a portable snack. Now, not only have rice balls transcended the humble kitchens of old-timey Japan and nestled their way into convenience stores across the nation, they’ve also made their way abroad. Mussubi is a delightful lunch shop in Paris that has brought onigiri and bento to the people of France. With elegant and fresh ingredients tiptoeing throughout the menu, this quaint shop has earn high praise from local residents.

The shop gets its name from Omusubi, another name for rice balls in Japanese. Let’s take a closer look at what makes this shop so special.

▼ Mussubi has a very stylish exterior. onigiri in paris 74747

▼ With an equally stylish interior.onigiri in paris333

▼ A simple chalk board announces the day’s specials. Even though it’s in French, we kinda get the gist of what’s on the menu.onigiri in paris0

The shop is run by two Japanese women who have made France their home. Although their food looks slightly different than some of the things you can get in Japan, they are nonetheless beautifully arranged. The striking Bento Special comes with nine different small compartments. Patrons can choose between three different types of rice balls and six different side dishes, including cucumber and celery in a spicy dressing, broccoli and lotus root in a sesame dressing, and kinpira carrots.

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Each item made in the small shop is positively gorgeous and pleasantly fresh. Take a look at a few of Mussubi’s other offerings:

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▼ Grilled mackerelOnigiri in Paris54

▼ Braised pork and eggOnigiri in Paris58

▼ Small bites prepared for a buffet.Onigiri in Paris53

▼ Green tea sesame cake.onigiri in paris222

If you find yourself in France, or just live there, you’re sure to be impressed with a trip to Mussubi. If you’ve ever been there, let us know about your experience in the comments section!

Store Information
Address: 89 rue d’hauteville
75010 Paris, France
Phone: +33 1 42 46 31 02
Hours: Mon – Fri 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Source: Roomie via Kotaku Japan
Images: Facebook (Mussubi)