Entre 2 Rives

Hidden on an otherwise dead street off the Grands Boulevards, the frontage of this delicious Vietnamese canteen doesn’t attempt exoticism – rather the décor of the two little rooms is contemporary and almost banal. A few touches of red paint, a grudging travel poster or two for Southeast Asia, a little kitchen at the end of the corridor, plastic chairs: Vietnam is here on the plate, not the walls.

And very good it is too. The menu is stuffed with classic Vietnamese dishes, cooked without the dreaded MSG: crunchy, fresh egg rolls, perfect scented pho, a bright goi buoi salad with grapefruit and prawns, fine bo lui beef brochettes with lemongrass and more. Of the desserts, we enjoyed the warming che chuoi with banana, tapioca and coconut.

A venue for connoisseurs that charges less than €20 per person, Entre 2 Rives is rarely empty, so it’s better to reserve ahead to enjoy the fine cooking and courteous service.