Saigona, the go-to Vietnamese restaurant in the Latin Quarter, serving pho with lobster and wagyu!

We checked out Saigona, a Vietnamese restaurant in the Latin Quarter, in the 5th arrondissement of Paris. Just a stone’s throw from Notre-Dame. On the menu: lobster pho or the Angus beef, house-made nems, and a generously loaded bo bun. And a packed dining room, proof that the cuisine hits the mark.

Rue Saint-Jacques is stacked with restaurants, and more often than not, menus laminated in four languages stare you down at the door. So it took a bit of nerve to plant a spot here—and a good broth to boot. The street has character. It traces the old Roman route heading south, a path once trodden by medieval pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela. Today, those pilgrims spill out of the Sorbonne with rucksacks on their backs. And somehow, every path still seems to lead to pho.

Chef Stéphane: from upscale caterer to a bowl of pho

In the kitchen, chef Stéphane. A zigzag career: stints at several Parisian establishments, worldwide travels, a spell with the caterer Potel et Chabot. Then a pause on social media, filming his recipes. Until he finally felt ready to open his own place.

Behind the scenes, a family story. Recipes handed down from generation to generation, like a ladle passed from one hand to the next, with a dash of modern flair. The result? On the day we visited, not a single seat was free. Word of mouth is already doing its work.

And the dining room, then? Elegant. One foot in the classic French restaurant, the other in the colors of Vietnam. It’s like a Parisian bistro on holiday in Saigon, lugging a few mementos in its luggage. Chic, without being stuffy. In front of the restaurant, two tables invite you to dine in the sun.

House-made spring rolls and papaya salad, the opening course

The house nems arrive golden and crackling. We bite into them quickly and relish them. The pastry is thin and the filling generous, and the freshly released batch earns our stamp of approval.

The papaya salad works in the opposite way. Fresh and tangy, it sharpens the palate. A hot-and-cold contrast that really whets the appetite. On the menu you’ll also find spring rolls and steamed bánh cuốn dumplings filled with shrimp or tofu.

Lobster and Angus beef pho, the big plunge

Here, the broths are patient. 15 hours of simmering for beef, 6 hours for chicken. You can taste it from the first spoonful. On the classics front, everyone’s in attendance: beef pho, marrow-bone pho, satay pho, the tripe-and-meatball special pho, Saigon-style chicken and shrimp pho. But we came for the signature pho.

The first dish showcases Angus beef short ribs that practically fall apart at the touch of a spoon. The second, the royal pho, lets shrimp and lobster swim in a satay-spiked broth. Two XXL bowls. Better skip any strenuous plans afterwards.

And the lobster, then? Fragrant, indulgent, with a coconut kiss. But let's be honest: we're not quite in pho territory anymore. We're in the territory of its abroad-turned cousin, the one that made a name overseas. Surprising, worth tasting, and best reserved for lobster enthusiasts.

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Beef bun and Loc Lac, a feast for couples

Bo bun fans will be spoiled for choice. The bowls are hearty and generously piled, with rice vermicelli and two nems to boot. Beef, chicken, tofu, lacquered duck, or shrimp: everyone will find their perfect bowl.

The Loc Lac beef, that one, really did it for us. Diced beef seared to perfection, with rice and a fried egg. Nothing fancy, just exactly right. We’re still thinking about it.

For the curious, the menu also features stir-fried noodles, basil beef with coconut milk, chicken curry simmered with kaffir lime, crispy tilapia in a sweet-and-sour sauce, salt-and-pepper shrimp, or soft-shell crab in a crisp batter.

Vietnamese coffee and sticky rice, a gentle descent

The Vietnamese coffee is non‑negotiable. We order it every time—here as much as anywhere.

We'd promised ourselves to skip dessert. We lied. chè đậu is a dessert that blends sticky rice, red beans and coconut milk. chuối nướng wraps a grilled banana in glutinous rice, topped with coconut sauce and sesame. Fresh mango with coconut sticky rice completes the trio. And to finish on a light note, artisanal ice creams in black sesame, matcha, mango, or gianduja chocolate.

How much does a meal at Saigona cost?

Starters run from €7.50 to €11.50, and papaya salads from €12 to €13.50. Classic pho is €14.50–€17, bo bun €14.50–€17.50, and traditional dishes €14.50–€21.50. The signature pho are a cut above: €24.50 for Angus beef, €29.50 for lobster. A scoop of ice cream starts at €4.50.

Where to find Saigona in Paris’s 5th arrondissement?

The Saigona restaurant is located at 25 Rue Saint-Jacques, just minutes from Cluny-La Sorbonne metro (line 10) and Saint-Michel (line 4, RER B and C). It serves lunch and dinner, with service running until about 10:30 p.m., depending on TheFork. Make sure to check opening days and book on the official Saigona site, where the full menu is also online. To whet your appetite in advance, visit the restaurant's Instagram.

With the meal settled (or almost), the neighborhood invites a stroll. The Shakespeare and Company bookstore and Saint-Séverin Church are a short walk away, just as the Cluny Museum and the quays facing Notre-Dame.

Our take: who is Saigona for?

Saigona is a welcome discovery in a neighborhood where meals are often hurried and unsatisfying. Generous portions, bold flavors, and a friendly, smiling welcome. The lobster pho doesn’t topple the beef classic, but it earns praise for daring to try something different.

This spot speaks to fans of Vietnamese cuisine who’d rather not trek to the 13th arrondissement. To local students, couples, groups of friends, and visitors wandering by Notre-Dame. A tip: the dining room fills up fast. Book ahead, especially for evenings and weekends.

Two more Vietnamese restaurants to discover in Paris

Still hungry for Vietnam? Across Boulevard Saint-Michel, Saigon d'Antan awaits near the Jardin du Luxembourg, between dark wood paneling, caning, pho and banh xèo. In the 2nd arrondissement, Mam From Hanoi leans into pho with a clear broth.

And for the true enthusiasts, we’ve packed everything into our guide to Vietnamese restaurants in Paris and Île-de-France, and into our pick of places to enjoy a good pho in Paris. Slurping the broth has never been more satisfying.