Buja, vegetarian restaurant with Thai and Vietnamese specialties Paris 13th arrondissement

Buja is the name of this vegetarian restaurant in the 13th arrondissement of Paris , serving fresh, meat-free Thai, Vietnamese and Korean cuisine. A must-try address near the Place d'Italie, which we'll take you to discover.

Opened discreetly on January 27, 2020 in the Tolbiac district, Buja, a small vegetarian restaurant with Thai flavors at first glance, initially came up against the obvious: it takes time to make your mark in Paris. The Covid crisis didn't help matters, forcing its founders to close shortly after opening. But with patience, perseverance and a healthy dose of passion, the address won over a loyal clientele through word-of-mouth.

Today, Buja is running at full speed, and for good reason: you can eat well here, vegetarian, with generous, home-cooked dishes at reasonable prices. From the moment you enter, you'll feel right at home, in a sober, bright décor. For the record, Buja means "offering" in Thai. The owner has imagined a restaurant that is both zen and welcoming to make you feel good. Service is fast and friendly, and the menu changes regularly according to the chef's whims.

Initially opening with only Thai specialties, the chef has since integrated dishes that appeal to her customers. Today, the classic pad thai rubs shoulders with Vietnamese egg rolls and pancakes, pho and tteokbokki.

On weekdays, you can opt for a lunchtime menu at around €14.50 with, for example, vegetable nems accompanied by fried noodles or a vegetarian phô followed by a fruit cup. Menu B offers a nem with green curry vegetable soup and plain rice, while menu C combines samoussa, spicy tofu with coconut milk and rice.

As for starters, the spring rolls, fresh and crispy at the same time, are a real favorite (and yet we're a meat-eater), as are the Larb Tofu, a lemongrass-scented salad, or the Tofu des Trois Rois, a surprising marriage of fritters, vegetarian dumplings and fried rice cakes, all spiced up with a Korean gochujang sauce. Be warned, though, this is only for people who can stand chilli! Special mention for Yam Sapparot, a sweet and tangy pineapple salad that's as fresh as it is generous.

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The star dishes don't disappoint: the Bò Bún Coco, a creamy version of the Vietnamese classic, arrives in a large bowl of rice vermicelli, crunchy vegetables and coconut milk. We also like this generous, round version with udon noodles.

Pad Thaï, sautéed à la minute, combines peanuts, eggs and vegetables. Fans of Korean cuisine will appreciate the Tteok-Bokki, rice cakes sautéed in an intense red sauce.

Drinks are also made to travel: plum soda or hibiscus juice, accompanied by sesame nori seaweed chips. And for dessert, don't miss the Khao Neaw Mamuang, fresh mango and glutinous rice with coconut milk, or mango tapioca, not forgetting the unmissable 3-color dessert, a typical dessert made with coconut milk, jackfruit and water chestnut.

Located just a few steps from the Corvisart and Place d'Italie metro stations, Buja offers a tasty break that's both exotic and accessible. It's a real gourmet hotspot in Paris' s 13th arrondissement, far from the clichés, and one you'll want to return to again and again, alone or with friends. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner every day except Sunday.

This test was conducted as part of a professional invitation. If your experience differs from ours, please let us know.