Several rows of red and blue plastic tables and chairs are neatly placed on the sidewalk and there are glasses containing napkins, spoons, bamboo chopsticks, and a menu of famous Vietnamese traditional dishes such as nem tai (fermented pork skin), fried garlic duck, roasted duck with mac mat leaves, pho, and mango chicken feet.

“I have been to Paris many times and often spend time wandering on streets to discover the city. However, this is the first time I have seen an interesting, and authentic Vietnamese sidewalk restaurant like this,” said Vu Nguyet Anh, a Vietnamese born woman who lives in Strasbourg, a city in northeast France.

Anh left Vietnam for France with Talent Passport and has lived there for one year. As she works in the tourism industry, she has the habit of exploring every city and country she sets foot in, and spends time to discover local cuisine and culture.

Recently, Anh read an article introducing a Vietnamese-style eatery at No 86 Avuenue d'Ivry, District 13, the most bustling business district in Paris which attracts many Asian people, especially Chinese and Vietnamese.

“The menu at the eatery was handwritten and it showed many Vietnamese typical street dishes which are hardly found in France. As the workers at the eatery all are Vietnamese, I felt very friendly and comfortable,” Anh said.

The eatery not only looked Vietnamese, but the decor was Vietnamese style with Vietnamese utensils and signboards.

"The eatery is always crowded. The sidewalk becomes full from 7.30 pm, and there are only a few empty tables inside. The customers there are mainly Vietnamese, but there are also French, Chinese, and tourists from many countries," Anh said.

According to Anh, the dishes help Vietnamese travelers and expats like Anh ease their homesickness. Her favorite dishes are nem tai thinh and crispy pho. The sweet soup and nem chua salad also had a good flavor.

She thought that pho ga (pho served with chicken) was not good enough, because the flavor of the broth was not really Vietnamese.

Anh had to pay VND2 million for the dinner (for two persons), prices which are not too high in Paris, but not low enough for ordinary people.

Linh Trang