⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠A new wave of chefs and entrepreneurs are refining Parisians' palate with restaurants in the French capital highlighting the depth and diversity of Chinese cuisine. Walking into almost any new Chinese dining room in Paris, dinners will find a different story unfolding, one where Chinese chefs are redefining what the city tastes like. "More than 10 or 15 years ago, it wasn't as specific and plural as it is today. We had mostly southern Chinese food. And I think now a lot of regions have come to have their own restaurants. Even specific regions of China have their restaurants, their chefs," said Grace Ly, a restaurant critic. From northeastern skewers charred over open grills to delicate dim sum topped with French cheese and pork bathed in a rich cognac sauce, chefs here are blending tradition with local ingredients, creating flavors that feel both familiar and completely new. "Every dish is a very authentic Chinese cuisine, but we use the French ingredients, like the French touch. So it's an authentic technique with the local product," said Samuel Lee, chief and owner of SENsation restaurant. At SENsation, the team set out to create a space they felt Paris was missing. Something between fine dining and an old-school canteen. A place rooted in regional Chinese technique, but comfortable, modern, and unmistakably Parisian. "The idea was to create a place different from what was offered in Paris. In Paris, one finds either very gastronomic restaurants or perhaps locations more in the traditional style. We will position ourselves somewhat between the two, to offer products of very good quality, to create authentic Chinese cuisine, by also using local products," said Romain Forest, director general and co-founder of SENsation restaurant. And diners are responding with enthusiasm. For many Parisians, it's an introduction to a cuisine they thought was familiar. "They are also somewhat surprised to rediscover Chinese cuisine. Because they were accustomed to different canteens. Today, we are offering something new," said Romain Forest. And they aren't doing it alone. Restaurateurs, chefs, and communities are building this movement together, including pioneers like Madame Fan. But this movement is about more than food. For many of these young founders it's about cultural identity and presenting Chinese cuisine on their own terms. New restaurants like these are opening every month, each adding another layer to the story of Chinese cuisine in Paris. SHOTLIST: Paris, France - Dec 3, 2025 1. SENsation restaurant exterior; 2. Dinners entering restaurant; 3. Restaurant interior with dining tables, picture, couplet decorations; 4. SOUNDBITE (English) Grace Ly, restaurant critic: "More than 10 or 15 years ago, it wasn't as specific and plural as it is today. We had mostly southern Chinese food. And I think now a lot of regions have come to have their own restaurants. Even specific regions of China have their restaurants, their chefs."; 5. Cook spraying seasoning on grilled skewers; 6. Various of chef serving dishes; 7. Various of chef cooking dishes; 8. Diners eating; 9. SOUNDBITE (English) Samuel Lee, chief and owner, SENsation restaurant (starting with shot 8): "Every dish is a very authentic Chinese cuisine, but we use the French ingredients, like the French touch. So it's an authentic technique with the local product."; 10. Various of dining table with plates, chopsticks, wine glass; 11. Various of shelf with menu, wine, certificates; 12. Various of cooks preparing dishes; 13. Shrimp balls on plate; 14. SOUNDBITE (French) Romain Forest, director general and co-founder, SENsation restaurant: "The idea was to create a place different from what was offered in Paris. In Paris, one finds either very gastronomic restaurants or perhaps locations more in the traditional style. We will position ourselves somewhat between the two, to offer products of very good quality, to create authentic Chinese cuisine, by also using local products."; 15. Diner eating; 16. Various of chief cooking, serving dish; 17. SOUNDBITE (French) Romain Forest, director general and co-founder, SENsation restaurant (starting with shot 16/ending with shots 18-19): "They are also somewhat surprised to rediscover Chinese cuisine. Because they were accustomed to different canteens. Today, we are offering something new."; 18. Cards of Madame Fan restaurant; 19. Chopsticks; 20. Various of Madame Fan restaurant exterior; 21. Various of cook cooking Chinese food. [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]