Suan Thai - The Marais

It’s no secret that Asian food in Paris is lacking; with two Chinatowns, a little Japan and countless Chinese Traiteurs around the city, I never understood why decent Asian food is almost non-existent.   

spring rolls yum

Almost, that is. Suan Thai was a pleasant surprise when my mom visited me in Paris.  When she was desperate for a break from duck confit and steak frites and needed some asian-ness in her life.  Small and unpretentious from the outside, this restaurant actually has seating on 2 levels and a simple yet tasteful décor.  Listed as a Bib Gourmand (and with one fourchette) in the 2009 Michelin Hotel and Restaurant Guide, Suan Thai not meets a high culinary standard but it also fulfills the 3-course menu for under 28€ requirement.  In other words, this is the guide's way of telling you that this place is a steal for all you deal lovers!

Bref. So mama and I decided to ordered a la carte, starting with spring rolls (very crispy and a nice change from microwaved day-old nems, thanks a lot Chinese TRAITORS) and shrimp cakes (meh) for appetizers.  Followed by sautéed Liseron vegetables (delish) and a lemony steamed whole fish, which tasted as dead as it looked.. if you get what i mean.  All that lemon sauce did nothing for the smell of the taste of this thing.  We had about 3 bites.. combined.  However, the pineapple + shrimp fried rice made our meal all worthwhile.  Lightly flavoured with curry powder, the pineapple bits gave a nice little tang to every bite.

Overall, I enjoyed this meal.  Everything beautifully presented and the prices were quite reasonable also.  Our bill came to about 70€ for lunch, but we had ordered way too much food and that stinky fish accounted for a large chunk of it. (We actually went back 2 days later and the only thing we ordered again was the pineapple fried rice.)

Most people lunching around us chose from the set menus (prices starting at 13.50€ for unch on weekdays), which featured options such as papaya beef salad, seafood salad along with chicken / shrimp / pork curries.

Bon appetit!

Suan Thai

41 Rue Sainte-Croix de la Bretonnerie
75004 Paris, France
01 42 77 10 20

Biz! angie.loves.rien x