Solo dining — Paris

Eating alone in a Korean restaurant is entirely ordinary — much of everyday Korean cooking is built for one person. A gukbap, a bibimbap, a bowl of noodles or a single-portion jjigae arrives already surrounded by banchan, and is finished in twenty minutes without anyone raising an eyebrow. In Paris the most comfortable rooms for a solo meal are usually the smallest ones: a counter facing the kitchen, quick service, a short menu, a moderate bill. Lunch remains the easiest time; in the evening some rooms fill with large parties and the wait grows. Two honest caveats before you choose. Table barbecue works badly for one person, and several stews are written on the menu for two or more. When in doubt, ask for the single portion — it almost always exists.