Whether you’re planning to travel to Paris later this year for leisure or if you’re already there now for the monumental Paris Olympic Games 2024, here are a few notable places in the City of Lights for the best Southeast Asian food, from Malaysian nasi lemak to Balinese nasi bebek.
For natives of the region, there needs no convincing that Southeast Asia knows a thing or two about eating well. While the French hold an enviable reputation for their prowess in precise techniques within the highest echelons of the culinary world, Malaysia and its neighbours can more than easily hold their weight when pitted against a serving of Boeuf Bourguignon or Tarte Tatin.
Malaysia, for one, is especially beloved for its melting pot of varied food cultures, a virtue which it can credit directly to the influx and integration of different heritages under a single, united tapestry. One of its staple dishes, nasi lemak, which is often considered to be the nation’s most emblematic gastronomic signatures, serves as a wonderful introduction to its core dining principles, where recipes are often greater than the humble sum of their components.
The same can be said of neighbouring Indonesia, whose tastiest exports run the gamut of sup bakso, replete with generously packed meatballs, to nasi bebek served with roasted duck. Then, of course, there’s Thailand, a country whose cuisine easily whets the appetite with tart and zesty temptations, as evidenced by the quintessential tom yam broths and pad kra pow basil dishes served with your choice of minced protein.
Between the outdoor terrace of Le Sawaran on Avenue d’Ivry, to brunch-appropriate feasts with a Southeast Asian twist at Maythai, there are more than a handful of great Southeast Asian eats in Pantruche if you know where to look. Here are our top picks for the best Southeast Asian food spots in Paris to try out.
Feature and hero image credits: Le Cambodge/Instagram
Best Paris food spots for Southeast Asian cuisine: 13 places to try
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Bien Bien
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Dining is a fickle business, regardless of where you happen to be in the world. Paris is no exception, and a great indication of a restaurant’s merit is in how well it can weather the test of time. With 36 years under its belt since opening its doors in 1988, Bien Bien is assuredly one of the easiest recommendations to make for authentic Thai food in the city. Classic staples are all found here, from spicy-sour hits of tom yam soup to slow-cooked green curries.
Operating hours:
- 12pm – 2.30pm, 7pm – 10.15pm (Monday and Tuesday)
- 12pm – 2.30pm, 7pm – 10.30pm (Wednesday to Friday)
- 7pm – 10.30pm (Saturday)
- Closed on Sunday
Closest metro station: Grands Boulevards
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Lao Lane Xang 2
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Distinctively chic, Lao Lane Xang 2 builds upon the reputation of its sister restaurant, which first opened in the 1990s. Led by second-generation members of the Siackhasones, originally from Laos, this outlet holds firm to its legacy of excellent Laotian, Vietnamese, and Thai offerings, where honest cooking triumphs over novelty with ease. House specialties such as the Thai pad ped tamarind duck and a classic whole fried mackerel dish prepared with Laotian herbs, attracts snaking queues out front come dinner.
Operating hours:
- 12pm – 3pm, 7pm – 11pm (Monday to Sunday)
- Closed on Wednesday
Closest metro station: Tolbiac
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Nur Malaysia
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Malaysian cuisine in Paris is admittedly rare and far between, but that isn’t to say that you can’t find a good restaurant if you look hard enough. In most cases, cursory searches off the beaten track will likely lead you to Nur Malaysia along Rue Ordener. Frequented by Malaysians seeking the succour of home-cooked comforts, reliably delicious servings of nasi goreng (fried rice), rendang dating (beef rendang), and teh tarik (hand-pulled tea) can be expected from their menu.
Operating hours:
- 1.30pm – 9.30pm (Monday)
- 9.00am – 9.30pm (Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday)
- 12pm – 9.30pm (Thursday)
- 10.00am – 12.00pm, 3.00pm – 9.30pm (Friday)
Closest metro station: Jules Joffrin
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Djakarta Bali
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Talk of Southeast Asia, and you’ll likely run into the phrase Nusantara pretty often. In Old Javanese, it refers to the ancient expanse of Maritime Southeast Asia, which encompasses most of Malaysia and Indonesia. That is exactly how one would come to describe the selection of dishes at Djakarta Bali, which serves up a panoply of the region’s most treasured delights conveniently under a single roof. Found in the Halles district of Paris, a highly thematic interior that ensconces the diners in bamboo accents and traditional Balinese woodwork carvings further drives its appeal.
Operating hours:
- 12.30pm – 2pm, 6.30pm – 10pm (Tuesday to Sunday)
- Closed on Monday
Closest metro station: Louvre – Rivoli
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Sushi Ku
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While it may stick out like a sore thumb at first glance, let us reassure you that Sushi Ku has plenty of reason to land a spot on our list of recommended Southeast Asian eats in Paris. For one, you may happen to run into a few Malaysian faces when dropping by. Peruse the menu and this East Asian establishment belies a discreet reputation for a concise but well-considered selection of Malaysian favourites. Rich bowls of laksa and thoroughly spiced beef rendang ensure return visits.
Operating hours:
- 11.45am – 3pm (Monday to Saturday)
- Closed on Sunday
Closest metro station: Madeline
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Le Cambodge
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Often overlooked given the prominence of rival food capitals surrounding the region, Cambodian food doesn’t receive nearly as much love as it should. But if you happen to be craving it in Paris, then a good place to stop would be at Le Cambodge, whose name tells you everything you need to know about the food served here. Beloved by locals for its exceptional authenticity, you’ll often find orders of bobun spécial, a hot and cold mix of sautéed beef, noodles, salad, bean sprouts and imperial rolls, appearing on most tables.
Operating hours:
- 12pm – 2.30pm, 7pm – 10.30pm (Monday to Friday)
- 12pm – 10.30pm (Saturday and Sunday)
Closest metro station: Goncourt
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Describing itself as a canteen, Khantine par le petit Cambodge sets you up for a pared-down, contemporary Cambodian dining experience that isn’t mired by the weight of tradition. While staple components such as ginger, coriander, and lemongrass all make an appearance, the method in which they are prepared and combined is meant to exemplify more contemporary palates, as indicated by a plethora of health-guru-approved rice rolls and salad bowls. Perfect for the Parisian keeping trim on the go.
Operating hours:
- 12pm – 10.30pm (opens daily)
Closest metro station: République
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Le Sawaran
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Family-run since 1983, Le Sawaran is yet another longstanding Parisian haunt for irrefutably excellent Pan-Asian fare. Blending stylish sensibilities through its chic al fresco dining terrace with a considerable wealth of recipes from across Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam, your only concern is deciding which dish to start your degustation journey with. But we’d suggest chow koay teow with fresh prawns or wok-fried bihun goreng, if only for the sake of familiarity.
Operating hours:
- 12pm – 2.30pm, 7pm – 11pm (Tuesday to Sunday)
- Closed on Monday
Closest metro station: Tolbiac
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Makan Makan
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Rarely do words transcend language barriers, but in Malaysia and Indonesia, makan is definitely one that is unanimously understood and adored by all. Directly translated from Malay as ‘eat’, this leaves little guesswork for those arriving at the front stoop of Makan Makan restaurant along Rue Richer. Billing itself as a purveyor of authentic Indonesian street eats, you will encounter a medley of homey favourites here, whether it be a thoroughly cooked nasi rendang with its dry melange of spices, or a fiery empal balado beef dotted with chili seeds.
Operating hours:
- 12pm – 2.30pm, 6.30pm – 10pm (Tuesday to Saturday)
- Closed on Sunday and Monday
Closest metro station: Bonne Nouvelle
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Maythai
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Brimming with a brightness that exudes from its pleasantly welcoming contemporary decor that skews towards comfort instead of stark, drab minimalism, the best time of day to enjoy Maythai is without a doubt during brunch on a languid weekend. Don’t be surprised to find yourself whittling hours away here over plates of Siamese classics, including lemongrass soup and steamed seabass with garlic and coriander sauce, or more conventional things of salads, burgers, and tacos, interpreted with a Thai twist.
Operating hours:
- 12pm – 2.30pm, 7pm – 10.30pm (Monday to Thursday)
- 12pm – 2.30pm, 7pm – 11pm (Friday)
- 12pm – 11pm (Saturday)
- 12pm – 10pm (Sunday)
Closest metro station: Parmentier
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KOW Paris
With its hyper-futurist interior comprising steel and neon, you would be forgiven for mistaking KOW Paris for a swanky cocktail bar at first glance. Rather than parched throats, hungry bellies will best be served here at this splendidly urban address. Promising a wealth of Cambodian street food delectations, anticipate all manner of dishes ranging from phaem brai chicken meatballs cooked with herbs, to numb anhchok sliced chicken served in a creamy lemongrass and galangal sauce that is best enjoyed over fluffy white rice.
Operating hours:
- 11.30 am–3.30 pm, 6.30pm–11 pm (Monday to Thursday)
- 11.30 am–11 pm (Friday and Saturday)
- Closed on Sunday
Closest metro station: Voltaire
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Bistro Indochine
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A French term used to describe a portion of Southeast Asia, ‘Indochine’ is often most strongly associated with countries such as Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Malaysia. By that merit, it is those countries that inspire the menu at Bistro Indochine on Rue de Dantzig, given its strong Vietnamese skew where food is concerned. Fragrant, herbaceous, and texturally varied, longstanding comfort food favourites, including a splendidly hearty bowl of pho with tender beef slices, can be enjoyed here.
Operating hours:
- 12pm – 2pm, 7pm – 10pm (Tuesday to Saturday)
- Closed on Sunday and Monday
Closest metro station: Porte de Versailles
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Phô Tai
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The markers of a great Southeast Asian restaurant are relatively straightforward: unpretentious decor that serves with utility as opposed to style, a menu with numbered items, and owners who have kept the business in their family for generations. In that case, Phô Tai ticks every single box with aplomb, consistently filling out seats in their modest establishment on Rue Philibert Lucot with hot bowls of phô noodles and prawn rice rolls served non-stop from the moment shutters open.
Operating hours:
- 12pm–3 pm, 6.45pm–10.15 pm (Tuesday to Sunday)
- Closed on Monday
Closest metro station: Maison Blanche
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Written by
Benjamin Wong
Senior Editor, Fashion and Dining
Armed with an Advertising major from Lancaster University, Benjamin is a senior editor who has spent his time oscillating between the social media and digital media landscape since 2018. With a keen interest in haute fashion and gastronomy, he has written for publications such as ERROR Digital, WORLD OF BUZZ, and KL Foodie. Beyond the keyboard, you can find him arms-deep in a thrift pile.
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