Le Bambou, the must-visit Vietnamese restaurant in Paris's 13th arrondissement

If you ask a Vietnamese person for a good restaurant in Paris, particularly in the 13th arrondissement, it's very likely that Le Bambou will come up (not to be confused with the Thai restaurant of the same name in the 2nd arrondissement). It must be said that this restaurant has been around for over 25 years. We used to go there as children and it was always packed. We even had to elbow our way in and not mind sharing a table with other people.

Some may criticize the fast, canteen-style service, while others will be delighted to be served quickly. It had been a while since we had been back, preferring the newer, more trendy places in the area. We're told that the restaurant has changed hands and, following some bad reviews, has revamped its approach, becoming more welcoming and less rushed. So we decided to go back to form our own opinion of the food and service.

On a Saturday evening, we reserved a table for eight people, which was no problem for the restaurant. Once we arrived, even though we weren't all there yet (one of our friends was still driving around in circles—getting to the 13th arrondissement can sometimes be complicated, so use public transportation when possible), we were seated. The restaurant wasn't as full as it used to be, and we ended up feeling very comfortable.

Surprisingly, the waiter who served us 20 years ago is still there, with his good humor and voice that carries to the other end of the street. Still as mischievous as ever, he sympathizes with our friends' struggle to find a parking space and tells us that he has been part of the establishment for 25 years. The atmosphere is relaxed, and we are charmed by his jokes.

The Bambou menu offers a wide range of classic Vietnamese specialties. Starters include the essential shrimp and pork spring rolls (€6 for two), crispy imperial patties (€6.50), and the unmissableVietnamese steamed dumplings, Banh Cuon (€6.80).

If you're looking for something fresh, opt for thepapayaor green mangosalad, which comes in several versions: with shrimp, dried beef, or in a more complete version with shrimp, jellyfish, and pork (€11).

The soup section is worth lingering over. Le Bambou excels in the art of pho, the comforting Tonkinese soup that has made Vietnamese cuisine famous. You can choose the special pho with slices of beef, meatballs, tripe, and tendon (€9 for a large portion), the Tonkinese pho Bắc, or the more classic versions with rare or cooked slices of beef. Prices range from €7.80 to €9.50 depending on size and ingredients. The spicy imperial soup from Hué, Bún Bò Huế (€9 to €9.50), is one of those specialties that are less common elsewhere and are well worth discovering for their spicy broth and generous portions.

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Among the house specialties, we particularly enjoyed the Vietnamese crepe Banh Xèo (€10), crispy pancakes stuffed with shrimp, pork, and bean sprouts. Grill lovers will be tempted by the famousbeef skewers with La Lot leaves (€9.50), which are full of flavor, theNem Nuong meatballs, the shrimp skewers on sugar cane, or the famous Loc Lac beef with its tender meat (€12). All are served with vermicelli or rice and a generous assortment of raw vegetables, mint, carrots, and basil.

The menu also offers more typical dishes that are less common elsewhere. Grilled pork rice with minced crab pâté (€11), tender beef stew (€9) and Banh Beo Bi, small steamed cakes that are rarely found (€7), are among the discoveries that take you straight back to Vietnam.

The sweet and sour soup is available with fish or shrimp, offering a delightful combination of sweet and sour flavors that is so characteristic of southern French cuisine. It's ideal when the weather turns cooler. 

As for the main courses, there are the classic vermicelli and rice dishes in many variations. The traditional Bò Bún(€8) or the vermicelli with grilled pork and imperial pâtés (€9) are hearty dishes, rich in flavor. The prices are unbeatable, with dishes ranging from €8 to €12.

The homemade desserts are the perfect finishing touch to this culinary journey. You'll find traditional Vietnamese desserts such as the three-color dessert (€4.30), coconut cream with red beans, taro cooked in coconut milk, and banana with coconut milk. These sweet, creamy, refreshing, and fragrant treats are the perfect way to end the meal.

Our opinion: the dishes have improved in presentation and the portions are generous. The restaurant doesn't skimp on herbs and spices, which is becoming increasingly rare. We appreciated the quality of the dishes and rediscovered the delicious flavors of our childhood. In short, this is a place we were delighted to rediscover.