Café Lai’Tcha in Paris: tasty travel to south-eastern Asia

It’s in Paris 1st arrondissement that French-Asian cuisine lovers are now expected to satisfy their taste buds. After the Yam’Tcha restaurant, starred in 2010, then the store of the same name and renown for its baos, duet Adeline Grattard and Chi Wah Chan has done it again by opening Café Lai’Tcha. Inaugurated in March 2018, rue du Jour, in the former Jean-Paul Gaultier store, this place definitely charmed and delighted us. How come? A creative and absolutely delicious cuisine, a warm and friendly atmosphere and finally, a designed and bright decoration.

Once in, we discover indeed the incredible high ceiling with a privileged corner perched in the air, towering over the ground floor on its length. And then, there’s in the entrance this huge counter dedicated to the catering area. Because yes, in addition to be a restaurant and a tea shop, Café Lai’Tcha also provides a high-end catering service where we can find non-stop all the dishes available on the restaurant menu. A big asset for people in a hurry or too lazy to cook.

But, tell me, what do we eat at Café Lai’Tcha? A varied selection of warm and cold tapas with exquisite flavors, offering us a delicious and memorable travel to south-eastern Asia.

First, there’s squid, perfectly soft and enhanced with coconut milk for softness, kefir lime for sourness and soft eggplants and cucumbers.

Sweet potatoes noodles are just perfect as well with pan-fried mushrooms and 5-flavor tofu.

Huge favorite being the Chinese pomelo salad, grapefruit chunks, pulled king crab, pepper and peanuts for some crunch. Simply to die for!

Chinese pomelo salad, grapefruit, King Crab, pepper and peanuts

Moving on to warm tapas, we fell for the smooth and delicious pollock cooked like fish balls. To this, add some curry mussels and an incredible Tom Yum dressing and you get an exceptional dish!

Pollock fish balls, curry mussels and Tom Yum dressing

For the rest, we recommend you the delicious vegetables spring rolls with homemade barbecue sauce and even the Pot au Pho for beef enthusiasts or the Wok du Buddha for vegetables lovers. Spice fans will be over the moon thanks to the bitter-sweet chicken, pineapple, piquillos, onions and pomegranate.

Pot au Pho

To go along these dishes, several drinks are available including the irresistible Lai’Tcha after which the place has been named. Coming from Hong-Kong, this black tea with condensed milk is a genuine discovery to drink at this place only. And you’ll be wrong not too!

Finally, how can we leave Café Lai’Tcha without having a go for the desserts brilliantly prepared by an Italian pastry chef? To keep travelling through Asia, we can only recommend you go for the Polo Bao: a perfectly-cooked brioche, served a bit warm and just crispy on the outside. Inside? Pineapple.

Polo Bao

Sticky rice with mango

Also fall for the sticky rice with mango and coconut milk. An irresistible dessert and another dish we definitely fell in love with.

And if you don’t have room left, don’t hesitate to go back to Café Lai’Tcha for teatime and order a pastry and a Lai’Tcha!

Note that the menu changes regularly. The occasion to come back as often as possible to enjoy creative and sophisticated dishes designed by Adeline Grattard.

Finally, know that Café Lai’Tcha also offers – on Sundays from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. – an Asian brunch (booking highly advised) that is both creative and hearty.

Asian brunch from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for €42 only

• Viennoiseries (to choose)
  • Polo Bao (Chinese brioche) with jam, clotted cream, peanut praline
  • Chocolate, pecan babka with jam, clotted cream, spread
    
    
• Soup (to choose)
  • Whole rice soup with scallops
  • Noodles and vegetables soup
    
    
• Side (to choose)
  • Spelt, butternut, crispy seeds
  • Radicchio, cheddar, cumin, soy
    
    
• Sandwich (to choose)
  • Rye bread, smoked fishes, cream cheese
  • Toasts with eggs Hongkong style, scallion, Comté cheese
    
    
• Dessert (to choose)
  • Cranberry coulis with spices, cottage cheese mousse
  • Exotic fruits salad