It's one of those neighborhood addresses that you can walk past once, twice, ten times, without really paying attention to what's going on inside. And, in doing so, miss out on the opportunity to make a delightful and exotic discovery. Such is the case with Luangpra, an Asian restaurant that has been open for a good number of years, at the crossroads of rue Saint-Maur and rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud.
This large corner establishment was given a facelift several months ago, with sober decor and spaced tables so that you don't have to eat on your neighbors' laps - fortunately, because we hate that. And since Luangpra doesn't have any social networks, there was only one way for us to make up our minds: go in and order food.
Luangpra celebrates not one but two cuisines: Thai and Laotian, two countries that share much more than a long border. The menu says it all: all dishes here are home-cooked. A very good point. Another positive point is the very attractive prices. At lunchtime, starter/dish menus are €14 or €15. In the evening, starter/dish menus are €17, €20 or €23, depending on the dish chosen.
And let's face it, the starters and main courses on the €17 menu are second to none. In fact, it's the menu we go for every time we visit! Luangpra has become our neighborhood canteen.
For starters, the great classics of Thai and Laotian cuisine are on offer: a bevy of Laotian salads with lemongrass (beef, chicken, seafood; 8€-12€), the inevitable papaya salad (8€) to tantalize the taste buds, kung pao prawns (14€), and lemongrass-coconut chicken soup (10€). Traditional dishes to be accompanied by a Laotian beer, of course!
The rest is just as colorful and tasty: pad thaï (11€), steamed or fried whole fish (17€), sautéed chicken or duck (13€), and for vegetarians, a 17€ starter/dish menu based on pad thaï with vegetables or vegetable curry. Our favorite dishes? The ultra-crispy Thai chicken nems, the grilled chicken brochettes with satay sauce and homemade coconut milk (8€), and the green chicken curry with coconut milk (13€), prepared with homemade curry!
All are available on the 17€ menu, proof that we're not kidding you. The only downside is that desserts are not included in any of the formulas, and whether it's banana fritters (5€), mango sticky rice (6€) or Thai coconut flan (5€), they're all devilishly appetizing.
No matter! Luangpra is proof that you should dare to take the plunge into local restaurants - even those that don't look like much from the outside. You may well come across an affordable, tasty address, supported by attentive service, like this one.
Location
Luangpra
120 Rue Saint-Maur
75011 Paris 11
