Fresh Sushi & Maki in Melun
At Yoki Ramen, we prepare sushi, maki, california rolls and sashimi every day with the utmost care. Our Japanese restaurant, located at 31 Rue du General de Gaulle in Melun, offers artisan cuisine where fresh fish takes centre stage. Whether you want to dine in, take away or have your platter delivered, you will find dishes made to order here — never in advance, never frozen.
Our Made-to-Order Sushi
Nigiri sushi is the cornerstone of traditional Japanese cuisine. In our kitchen, every nigiri is shaped by hand: a slightly warm mound of seasoned rice topped with a carefully sliced piece of raw fish. Salmon, bluefin tuna, sea bream, prawn, grilled eel and marinated octopus are among the varieties we offer depending on the day’s catch.
Our sushi rice is cooked daily and seasoned with a blend of rice vinegar, sugar and salt, following a recipe we have fine-tuned over the months to achieve the perfect balance between acidity and sweetness. This detail is what separates an ordinary piece of sushi from one that truly showcases the flavour of the fish. The grain must be sticky enough to hold its shape yet airy enough to melt on the palate from the very first bite.
We never prepare our sushi in advance. Every order is started in the kitchen the moment you place it, whether at the restaurant counter or online for delivery. This principle allows us to guarantee a texture and freshness that bear no resemblance to the mass-produced trays found in supermarkets. If you are looking for the best sushi in Melun, this artisan commitment is what should convince you.
Maki, California Rolls & Snow Rolls
Maki are the most varied family on our menu. A classic maki consists of a crispy sheet of nori seaweed, a layer of seasoned rice and a filling at the centre: salmon, tuna, avocado, cucumber, cream cheese, tempura prawn or a combination of several ingredients. We offer hosomaki (slim rolls, ideal as a starter) and futomaki (generous thick rolls that make a meal on their own).
The california roll reverses the logic of a traditional maki: the rice is on the outside, often sprinkled with toasted sesame seeds or flying fish roe. Inside, you will find indulgent combinations such as salmon-avocado-cream cheese, tempura prawn-cucumber-spicy sauce, or cooked tuna-mango-chive. Each california roll is rolled with precision so that every cross-section reveals an appetising look and well-distributed flavours.
Our snow rolls also deserve a special mention. Wrapped in a thin, translucent rice paper sheet, they offer a lighter, more melt-in-the-mouth texture than classic maki. The rice paper brings a subtle sweetness that contrasts with the crunch of the vegetables and the softness of the fish. Many of our customers in Melun appreciate them for their lightness, especially during the summer months.
To explore all our preparations, check out our full menu which details every recipe and its ingredients.
Sashimi & Guaranteed Freshness
Sashimi is arguably the most demanding preparation in Japanese cuisine. No rice, no seaweed, no sauce to mask anything: just slices of raw fish, cut with a perfectly sharpened knife and served on a bed of grated daikon radish. The quality of the product is exposed without filter. That is precisely why we pay the closest attention to selecting our fish.
Our suppliers are certified and subject to European regulations on seafood quality and traceability. The salmon we use for our sashimi comes from whole fillets that we cut ourselves in the kitchen. The tuna is checked for colour, texture and smell before every service. Sea bream and sea bass are chosen for their firm flesh and delicate taste.
Every morning, before opening, our team checks storage temperatures, visually inspects each batch and discards any product that does not meet our standards. This rigorous protocol is non-negotiable: it is the absolute prerequisite for serving sashimi in Melun with the peace of mind our customers deserve. Fish is kept between 0 and 2 degrees Celsius, never frozen after receipt (except where required by regulation for certain species served raw, in compliance with HACCP standards).
The Art of Handmade Sushi
The difference between factory-made sushi and handmade sushi is apparent from the very first bite. In industrial settings, rice is prepared in large batches, often several hours before service, then kept under plastic wrap. The fish is pre-sliced, sometimes frozen for weeks. The result is a standardised product that looks acceptable on paper but lacks character.
Our approach is radically different. Rice is cooked in small quantities throughout the service. Fish is sliced at the moment each plate is being prepared. Sauces (soy, ponzu, house-made spicy sauce) are crafted in-house. Pickled ginger is prepared every week in our kitchen. This level of detail demands time and labour, but it is precisely what gives our sushi their distinctive taste.
If you would like to learn more about authentic Japanese cuisine, discover what makes a great Japanese restaurant. You will find detailed explanations on preservation methods, rice selection criteria and cutting techniques that make all the difference.
At Yoki Ramen, we believe handmade sushi should not be a luxury reserved for big cities. That is why we offer this artisan quality in Melun, in the south of Seine-et-Marne, at accessible prices. Our goal is simple: that every customer leaves feeling they have eaten real sushi, prepared with care and with quality ingredients.
Order Your Sushi in Melun
Several options are available for enjoying our sushi. You are, of course, welcome to visit the restaurant directly at 31 Rue du General de Gaulle in Melun. We are open Tuesday to Sunday, lunch and dinner, in a warm setting inspired by contemporary Japanese aesthetics. Our team will be happy to advise you on fish choices and accompaniments.
If you prefer to stay at home, we offer sushi delivery in Melun and the surrounding towns. Orders can be placed online or by phone. Our platters are packed in purpose-built containers that preserve both the temperature and the presentation of each piece. We ensure that the journey from our kitchen to your table in no way compromises the quality of the product.
Click and collect is also available: place your order, choose your pick-up slot and collect your meal with no waiting. It is the ideal solution for those who work near Melun city centre and have a limited lunch break.
For lovers of hot dishes, do not forget that our menu extends well beyond sushi. We also serve our authentic ramen, with broths simmered for 12 hours, handmade gyoza and yakitori and generous donburi bowls. Fancy something fresh? Our poke bowls use the same sushi-grade fish. For a warm, comforting meal, try our Japanese curry. A sushi platter paired with a steaming bowl of ramen — now that is a complete meal combining the best of Japanese gastronomy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Our Sushi
How do you guarantee the freshness of your sushi in Melun?
At Yoki Ramen, every piece of sushi is made to order. We never use frozen products for our sushi fish. Our supplies arrive several times a week directly from specialist wholesale markets, allowing us to serve fish of impeccable freshness.
Where does the fish used for your sushi and sashimi come from?
We select our fish from certified suppliers who comply with European traceability standards. Salmon, tuna, sea bream and prawns are chosen according to strict quality criteria. We favour short supply chains whenever possible and systematically verify health certifications.
Do you offer vegetarian or vegan sushi?
Yes, our menu includes several vegetarian options: avocado maki, cucumber maki, vegetable california rolls, as well as special creations made with marinated tofu and seasonal vegetables. Please let us know about any allergies or dietary preferences when placing your order.
Do you deliver sushi to homes in Melun and the surrounding area?
We offer home delivery in Melun and neighbouring towns. You can also choose click and collect by ordering online or by phone, then picking up your sushi directly at the restaurant at 31 Rue du General de Gaulle.
What are your prices for sushi platters?
Our platters start from around 12 euros for an individual set and go up to sharing platters for 2 to 4 people. Value for money is at the heart of what we do: fresh fish, artisan preparation and generous portions. Check our online menu for all prices.
What is the difference between maki, a california roll and nigiri sushi?
Maki is a roll of rice and filling wrapped in a sheet of nori seaweed. A california roll is a variation where the seaweed is on the inside and the rice on the outside, often coated with sesame seeds or tobiko. Nigiri sushi is a slice of fish placed on a mound of seasoned rice, with no seaweed around it. Each style highlights the ingredients in a different way.
Can I order sushi for an event or a group?
Absolutely. We prepare bespoke platters for birthdays, work meetings, seminars or any other event. Contact us at least 48 hours in advance so we can organise your order in the best conditions. We also offer a catering service for businesses located in Melun and the south of Seine-et-Marne.
Sushi in Melun: a Thriving Tradition
Melun, the prefecture of Seine-et-Marne, is a city that has experienced a notable gastronomic revival in recent years. Among the world cuisines that have established themselves here, Japanese food plays an increasingly important role in the eating habits of Melun’s residents. Sushi, once considered an exotic and expensive dish, has become an everyday meal for many families. Yet not all sushi is created equal. Between fast-food chains offering cut-price formulas and independent restaurants that stake their reputation on quality, the gap in taste and freshness can be considerable.
It is within this context that Yoki Ramen chose to set up in Melun with a clear promise: to offer fresh, handmade sushi, prepared to order, in a human-scale restaurant. Our kitchen is open, our methods are transparent, and we invite our customers to watch their meal being prepared. This commitment to transparency is part of a broader return to authenticity sweeping the French dining scene.
The sushi market in Melun and across Seine-et-Marne has long been dominated by delivery brands that prioritise volume over quality. Their platters are often prepared in advance, kept in refrigerated display cabinets and sold the same day or even the next. The rice loses its texture, the fish oxidises, the flavours fade. By contrast, sushi made to the minute retains the crispness of the seaweed, the gentle warmth of the rice and the vibrant freshness of the fish. Customers who compare the two approaches notice the difference immediately.
Beyond the product itself, it is also a matter of know-how. Sushi preparation is a craft that demands patience and precision. The cooking time of the rice, the water temperature, the amount of vinegar, the angle of the fish cut: every parameter influences the final result. Our chefs are trained in these techniques and apply them with rigour day after day. This consistency is what allows our customers to enjoy the same level of quality with every visit.
Melun is served by the RER D and several bus lines, making it accessible from across the south of Ile-de-France. Our restaurant, located right in the city centre just steps from the train station, is easy to reach on foot, by public transport or by car. We also have a delivery service covering Melun and neighbouring towns including Dammarie-les-Lys, Le Mee-sur-Seine, Vaux-le-Penil and Rubelles. To place an order, visit our website or call us directly.
Whether you are a long-time sushi lover or discovering this cuisine for the first time, Yoki Ramen welcomes you with the same commitment: fresh ingredients, careful preparation and attentive service. We are convinced that the best sushi in Melun is not to be found in a refrigerated display cabinet, but on a plate that has just left the chef’s hands. Come and see for yourself, at 31 Rue du General de Gaulle, Tuesday to Sunday.