How Do You Eat Escargot in Paris?

By Alice Nichols

If you’re planning a trip to Paris, one of the must-try dishes on your list should be escargot. These edible snails are a delicacy in French cuisine and can be found in many restaurants throughout the city.

However, if you’ve never tried escargot before, you may be wondering how to eat it properly. In this article, we’ll guide you through the process step-by-step.

Step 1: Ordering Escargot

First things first, you’ll need to find a restaurant that serves escargot. Many traditional French restaurants will have it on their menu. When ordering, don’t be intimidated by the French name – simply ask your server for “escargot” and they will understand what you mean.

Step 2: Preparing the Escargot

Once your order arrives at your table, you’ll notice that the escargot is typically served in a special dish called an “escargot plate”. The plate has small indentations where each snail sits and is often covered with a metal lid.

To prepare the escargot for eating, use the small fork provided with your dish to remove each snail from its shell. Hold the shell with one hand and use the fork to gently pull out the snail from its opening.

Pro Tip:

Use a piece of bread to soak up any remaining garlic butter sauce after eating each snail.

Step 3: Eating the Escargot

Now comes the moment of truth – it’s time to taste that delicious-looking snail! Most commonly, escargot is served in a garlic butter sauce which adds flavor and moisture to each bite.

Take your fork and gently dip the escargot into the sauce ensuring it’s fully coated. Then place it into your mouth and enjoy!

Pro Tip:

Don’t be afraid to use your fingers to help you remove any remaining bits of escargot from the shell.

Step 4: Finishing the Escargot

Once you’ve finished eating all of the snails on your plate, you may be left with some leftover sauce. This is where that piece of bread we mentioned earlier comes in handy! Use it to soak up any remaining garlic butter sauce and enjoy the flavors one last time.

Conclusion

Now that you know how to eat escargot in Paris, you can confidently order this dish at any French restaurant. Enjoy the unique taste of this classic French delicacy and impress your friends with your newfound culinary skills. Bon appétit!