In the vibrant heart of Paris, an unusual dreamer emerges in the form of Remy, a rat with an extraordinary sense of taste and smell, who harbors culinary aspirations far beyond the norms of his rodent brethren. Inspired by the late, great chef Gusteau's motto, "Anyone can cook," Remy dreams of becoming a chef himself. His passion for food leads him to the sewers directly beneath a restaurant made famous by his culinary hero. Fate intervenes, and a hapless kitchen worker, Linguini, discovers Remy's talents in the kitchen. Remy secretly guides Linguini, maneuvering beneath his chef's toque, helping him to correct a soup he mistakenly ruins, which unexpectedly turns into a great hit with the patrons.

As the soup's success elevates Linguini's status in the kitchen, the duo forms a pact, with Remy pulling the strings—quite literally—in an extraordinary act of puppetry to create culinary wonders, all while hiding from the suspicious and tradition-bound Chef Skinner, who runs the kitchen. The unlikely partners must navigate a world where a rat's presence could mean the end of a culinary career. The unfolding events lead to a series of comedic and heartfelt moments that explore themes of ambition, friendship, and the quest for identity in a world where one's true passions often clash with societal expectations.