Le 5S

Rating: 11.5
Author: Gault&Millau

23 Rue d'Alspach, 68000 Colmar, France

11.5/20
Gourmet Restaurant

Cooking: French | Fusion | Japanese | Local
Services: Privatization
Style: With family | With friends

Budget (€)

Indicative price per person (excl. drinks)

Gault&Millau's review 2026

Aï Maehara, a former cook at Trotthus, has teamed up with Charles Dias, former chef at Brendel Stub, and Loïc Dias, former head waiter at JY’S, to bring to life a charming restaurant where Japanese spirit meets Alsatian sensibility without pretension. The décor, executed with impeccable taste, immediately sets a warm, bohemian atmosphere: small, well-chosen paintings, origami above the entrance, a Buddha statue on the counter, and the play of light and shadow—all come together to create an intimate, personal, and welcoming setting. Working alone in the dining room, Loïc Dias fosters a simple, cheerful, and friendly rapport, in keeping with the restaurant’s down-to-earth spirit. The crispy monkfish liver, reminiscent of Japanese ankimo, delights with its careful cooking, the sweetness of the caramelized pear, and the balance of the shichimi, featuring a subtle interplay between the richness of the sea, spices, and a sake-soy reduction. The fresh, glossy Alsatian Arctic char, cooked with exquisite precision, is perfectly paired with a generous Japanese potato salad, blanched vegetables, trout roe, and an original shiso pesto. The yellow chicken tori katsu, rolled around shiso and farm-raised Barikass, impresses with the quality of the poultry, the crispiness of its breading, and a miso-sesame sauce with a well-balanced umami profile. On the dessert side, the dorayaki—purchased in Strasbourg—is perfectly complemented by the creaminess of the matcha ice cream, while the mochi cake infused with PinUp La Grange gin adds a contemporary, fresh, and local touch. A sincere, generous, and warm establishment that confidently carves out its own niche in the realm of accessible, gourmet Japanese fusion cuisine. The wine cellar features fine Alsatian wines, while also embracing other regions and sakes, with a well-curated and reasonably priced selection by the glass.