Minh Chau, 75004 Paris, France

Minh Chau is a tiny Vietnamese restaurant  located just behind the Bazar de l’Hotel de Ville department store in a bustling, popular area of Paris on the edge of the Marais, with its historic areas and many original and tempting small shops.   It only has 20 seats and the queue outside is pretty well permanent during opening hours, which ar 12 to 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. onwards.  Some of the regulars even come twice a day as there is also a take-away service!

The dishes are attractively presented, delicious and a real bargain.   My favourite are the Nems which are spicey and crisp, and really big.  The main courses include dishes such as pork in pepper sauce, glazed spare ribs, chicken in citronella source, sauteed mixed vegetables, shrimp in curry sauce, carrot salad  and of course either plain or sauteed rice.  The main courses are approximately 5 euros, the nems 2,80 Euros and the  vegetable dishes about 3 euros.  All   washed down with Chinese Tsingtao beer or wine – your choice.

This is a family restaurant, run by a smling Vietnamese maman and her son and daughter, and their long-standing success is richly deserved.