The Autistic Foodie’s Guide to Paris | Han Lim | Paris 5
Traditional Korean cuisine, or Hansik in Korean, is one of my favorite gastronomies. Extremely delicate and refined, yet simple, Korean cuisine fascinates me both as a gastronome and as an autistic person.
In Korea, food is understood not only to be nourishing and tasty, but medicine. The point of eating is not to be filled until one cannot eat, but to indeed, be healthy. Food in Korean culture is intimately tied to medicine and health, with the concept of Eymyangohaeng being crucial to the development of dishes traditionally.
Korean History, Culinary History, and the Korean language are all autistic Special Interests of mine so the topic is one that gives me much pleasure and connects various worlds of mine. I eat Korean food a few times a week, with a number of dishes being amongst my autistic “same foods” which I enjoy to cook at home and eat out at a number of the fabulous Korean restaurants in Paris.
This brings me finally to Han Lim, one of my favorite Korean restaurants in Paris. My partner, an avid foodie herself, is also a huge fan. Han Lim is owned by the lovely Lee family, who opened the restaurant in 1981, making it the oldest Korean restaurant in Paris. A family affair, the service is impeccable, friendly, professional, and warm. If you would like to practice your Korean, the family will more than oblige!
Located in the trendy 5th arrondissement, Han Lim is situated on a classic Left Bank street with medieval buildings. The neighborhood is popular with students, locals, and tourists, being just steps away from the Pantheon, one of Paris’ most visited landmarks.
Don’t misinterpret its location near many typical tourist trap crepe spots, as Han Lim is as authentic as it gets. Keeping in line with traditional Korean restaurants as you’d find in Korea, the menu is small and dedicated to the house specialities, which include Japchae (Glass Noodles), Sauteed Chicken with Garlic, and Bulgogi BBQ (Marinated Beef). There are no gimmicks here, the food is prepared in the traditional way, which may surprise you if you’re used to “watered down” Korean food.
All dishes are served with Banchan, traditional Korean side dishes, including Kimchi of cabbage, which is perfectly spiced and my favorite one that I’ve come across in Paris so far. The French palate typically doesn’t love overly spicy food, so unfortunately many kimchis do not pass the test. For those who enjoy Korean alcohol, the menu is filled with various beers, sojus, and bokbunjajus. There are a variety of vegetarian options available, as well as some vegan ones as well.
The dishes pictured include:
Bulgogi (Marinated Beef) on the BBQ - Unlike most Korean restaurants in Paris, Han Lim allows you to grill and serve your own meat, serving the marinated meat on the side to put on at your own pace. Most Korean restaurants in Paris bring you the grill with the meat on it already and all of it cooks at once. The sauce that the meat is marinated is a traditional Bulgogi marinade made up of sesame oil, garlic, ginger, gochujang (Korean red pepper paste), green onions, and pears. Han Lim also serves a second sauce in the pan itself (made of soy sauce and garlic) to heat up to dip the meat into after cooking as well as for serving on top of your rice.
Pajeon - A scallion egg pancake that is one of Korea’s most beloved dishes. This version is filled with peppers as well, giving it a fun twist. My favorite one in Paris.
Japchae - One of my favorite dishes to make at home and eat out, each family and restaurant have their own take on the dish. Essentially glass noodles (sweet potato noodles) with mixed peppers and vegetables, Han Lim’s is a bit spicy and has black mushrooms as well.
Dakgangjeong - One of the house specialities of Han Lim, this is a traditional take on the more modern, super popular, Korean Fried Chicken. The chicken is marinated in soy and garlic and sauteed.
Kimchi - This version, of cabbage, is the quintessential Korean dish. Fermented over time and seasoned with gochugaru (Korean red pepper), Kimchi is believed to be great for one’s health in traditional Korean medicine. For autistics who suffer from histamine issues, however, Kimchi can cause issues at times due to its high histamine levels (as is indeed the case with all fermented foods). I need to make sure not to have too much.
Assorted Banchan - Traditional side dishes. Han Lim serves spinach, soy, and radish.
From an autistic point of view, the restaurant is well arranged and set up and I’ve described below some of the advantages that Han Lim offers autistic customers in terms of sensory management.
For those of my autistic readers who enjoy cutlery and tableware you will be in for a treat, with Han Lim featured traditional and high quality ceramics and metalware. Korean chopsticks and spoons should always be made of metal, never wood. Often Korean restaurants in Paris use cheap metal chopsticks that are difficult to use or ceramics that don’t match the cuisine. Han Lim stays true to tradition and is dedicated to Art de la Table.
If you’re a fan of Korean cuisine and looking for a great Korean restaurant in Paris, Han Lim is a wonderful spot to add to your list!
Pluses for Autistic People
Calm environment
Good natural light and no overhead fluorescent lights
Quiet and good acoustics
Kitchen is well away from the dining room and doesn’t emit sound or strong aromas.
Tables are well placed away from each other, one doesn’t feel that they are sitting too close to others
Han Lim
Address: 6 rue Blainville, 75005 Paris, France
Phone: 01 42 54 62 74
Website: www.hanlim.fr
Reservations HIGHLY Recommended, Especially on the Weekend
Closed Mondays