Respect the Crêpe

Crêpes Are Not Street Food (Mostly)Crêpes may be one of France’s most iconic foods, but chances are you have been eating them wrong, or at least misunderstanding what they are. In this episode of Fishwives of Paris, Emily and Caroline break down the myths surrounding crêpes, explain why treating them as street food is mostly a tourist habit, and unpack the deep regional identity behind Brittany’s buckwheat galettes.From linguistic nitpicking (crêpes vs galettes vs krampouezh) to the surprising agricultural history of buckwheat, this episode explores how geography, language, and industrialization shaped one of France’s most misunderstood dishes. In this episode:Why crêpes are not traditionally street food in their region of originThe difference between sweet wheat crêpes and savory buckwheat galettesBrittany’s cultural independence, from language to infrastructure to foodTruly too many things about buckwheat for one bullet pointCandlemas (La Chandeleur), why France eats crêpes on February 2Where to eat galettes in ParisWe mention Breizh Café as our favorite spot in Paris and Lyon for traditional buckwheat galettes. You will also find many classic crêperies serving plated galettes around the Montparnasse area, historically where trains from Brittany arrived. One important note: traditional galette restaurants serve cider, not wine, in keeping with Breton custom.Watch full episodes in 4k on YoutubeFollow us on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and join our Facebook group.