With a small kitchen corridor separating two rooms, Chamrouen Crimée’s almost has two different personalities. The rue Mathis side is elbow-to-elbow dining, while the rue Crimée entrance feels more like a dining hall, with it’s high ceiling and wooden wall murals. But the buzzy atmosphere of both sides guarantees that regardless of the time of day, you could while away the hours, unhurried by the efficient, yet relaxed service.
The menu is a mélange of Vietnamese, Chinese and Thai dishes – we stuck to the Vietnamese side: starting with chunky prawn spring rolls (€5.50) and a Cambodian-style beef salad (€9.50). Strips of tender, pink beef, red pepper, coriander, spring onion, lettuce, a mountain of crushed peanuts and a sweet-sour dressing make this a refreshing appetiser before the heavier dishes. The bo-bun can be supersized to include four super-crispy nems (€9.50), instead of two (€7.50), but only do so if you’re starving. Expect a mountain of beansprouts, caramelised onions, carrot, cucumber, vermicelli noodles, spring onions and beef strips – all are well seasoned and super fresh. If you still have room, there’s a mammoth selection of desserts – tapioca pearls with soya milk, deep-fried fruit and exotic sorbets. Our only regret? Not ordering the pho, which had us salivating every time it passed by. Authentic, friendly and good value, Chamroeun Crimée is perfect spot to come with friends after drinks by the nearby Quai de la Loire.