Hong Bao, the immersive Chinese restaurant that treats us to baos, noodles, and dumplings in Paris La Défense

Want to treat yourself without breaking the bank? We set out to discoverHong Bao, the new Chinese restaurant that has just opened at Westfield 4 Temps in La Défense. Vanessa, already at the helm of Yatai Ramen and Chikin Bang, has teamed up with her mother and uncle to create this immersive space that plunges us into the heart of Chinese New Year celebrations. Adjacent to La Tête dans les Nuages, this huge space is the shopping center's largest restaurant and transports us directly to the bustling streets of Shanghai, with red lanterns, golden lanterns, and mahjong tables.

The atmosphere is really part of the experience at Hong Bao. As soon as you walk through the door, you immediately find yourself somewhere else. Traditional neon lights, vintage textures, and carefully selected antique objects recreate the atmosphere of China's working-class neighborhoods. The soft lighting, carved partitions, and warm colors give the whole place an authentic feel that goes far beyond simple restaurant decor.

It's lively, generous, and friendly. This is the largest dining area in the center. It's easy to imagine large groups of friends or families coming together to share a moment over comforting specialties.

The menu showcases authentic Chinese cuisine with recipes passed down from generation to generation. Biang Biangnoodles, long, thick noodles handmade on site, are the star of the show. They can be enjoyed with beef stew for €13.90 or Peking duck for €14.90, served in huge bowls as in China, with Chinese cabbage, soy sauce, black vinegar, chives, and cilantro. The beef is as tender as in a bourguignon, and the noodles are incomparably fresh. You can also customize your bowl with a tomato and egg topping for an extra $1, as we did.

Chinese dumplingscome in all shapes and sizes. We love the pork and Chinese cabbage Jiaozi, steamed and priced at €7.90 for six, which you can enjoy with a sauce that's as spicy as you like. The pork Xiao Long Bao, at €10.90 for six pieces, contain a fragrant broth that bursts delicately in the mouth. The grilled Shengjian Bao with Peking duck, at €9.90 for four pieces, are soft buns that also come in vegetarian or chicken versions. As a starter, the fried shrimp wontons at $6.90 for 3 pieces or the crunchy cucumber salad at $5.90 seasoned with chili oil are a gentle way to whet your appetite.

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The piping hot baos literally melt in your mouth. We particularly like the sweet version, the Lava Black Bao with egg custard, priced at €6.90 for two, which ends the meal on a delicious note. The fried Mantou with condensed milk, priced at €3.90 for two, a kind of light doughnut made with golden rice flour, is also a great discovery for those who enjoy light desserts.

This restaurant is particularly suited to groups and families who enjoy sharing a meal, or people in a hurry to catch a movie. The service operates via ordering kiosks and a large team who bring the dishes to the tables as soon as they come out of the kitchen.

Please note that the kitchen has been doubled in size to offer Halal and pork-free options. The restaurant guarantees that there is no cross-contamination. 

We appreciate the speed of service, which allows you to fully enjoy the moment without waiting indefinitely between courses. The prices are very reasonable for the quality and generosity of the portions, with starters between €5.90 and €6.90 and main courses around €14.

In short, if you're hanging out at Les 4 Temps to shop, have fun, or discoverthe hugeChristmas market at La Défense, stop by Hong Bao to sample its many specialties. The setting is truly out of the ordinary and allows you to feel like you're somewhere else for the duration of your meal. It's fast food, but with homemade dishes, which makes all the difference. 

The restaurant is open Sunday through Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., and until 10:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays at the Westfield Les 4 Temps shopping center in Puteaux. It is located on the 3rd floor in the food court.