May Hong has opened a new address at 111 avenue d’Ivry in the 13th arrondissement of Paris. We head off to discover this Vietnamese canteen which delights us with pho and gourmet bo bun.
Some know the first restaurant Pink Cloud from the Oslo Olympiad gallery in the 13th district of Paris, which is already delighting great fans of Vietnamese pho. At 111 avenue d’Ivry, the next generation is assured. Indeed, it was the children who decided to open their restaurant, thus allowing fans of the historic address to come and taste the family cuisine in the evening (since the gallery closes in the evening) but also to try new dishes at the map. We set off to discover this canteen where tradition and modernity meet to the delight of pho lovers.
Upon entering the door, you discover a bright room with a refined style, reminiscent of traditional Vietnamese cafes but with a contemporary touch. Here, we breathe a little more than in certain narrow restaurants often characteristic of neighborhood canteens. The welcome is warm, almost intimate, as if you were coming to dine with friends. The kitchen is run by Khanhthe founder’s son, who took over the cooking pots while making sure to remain faithful to the recipes passed down by his mother.
The menu – the map
The menu is an ode to traditional Vietnamese gastronomy, with its essentials and some new additions. We start with the starters: spring rolls (€6.50) fresh and well stocked or a papaya salad (€12) delicately scented.
We also let ourselves be tempted by the famous Banh Xeothis crispy Vietnamese crepe. Stuffed with pork, shrimp and bean sprouts, it is golden to perfection. The crispness of the dough contrasts with the softness of the filling. Wrapped in a salad leaf with fresh herbs, it is enjoyed with a nuoc-mâm sauce.
But the highlight of the show is of course the soups. THE special pho (€13.50) remains a safe bet, with its deep and fragrant broth. Khamh simmers this broth even longer than in the historic address, thanks to extended opening hours until 10:30 p.m. Result: more intense flavors and a perfect balance, which a dash of lemon subtly awakens. Here we are in a standard version where the broth has its place, we forget the guts that we find in more traditional recipes.
Of course, the house does not ignore the cow bún which come in different versions, with chicken, beef, shrimp, and even vegetarian.
For those who love to explore, the Hue beef noodle soup (€13.50), a spicy imperial soup, or even the braised fisha fish simmered in caramel offered in the evening (€15), are worth a detour. We also enjoy a generous beef loc lac. Each dish is generous and homemade.
For a change from your parents’ restaurant, the Mây Hồng at 111 avenue d’Ivry offers platters accompanied by rice and salad: complete menus at around €15 which are perfect for lunch.
As for desserts, the menu does not disappoint. THE three-color teathis colorful dessert made from beans, coconut milk and jelly, is a real treat (€6). Special mention for the Che Troi Nuocthis dessert made from sticky rice pearls with ginger syrup which is available with pandan in this restaurant.
To water everything, the iced milk coffeea Vietnamese iced coffee with condensed milk (€5), or the tropical milkshakes (from €6), are essential. And if you’re looking to cool off, the ginseng supplements quantityan iced mixture of longans, lotus seeds and jujubes, is as original as it is thirst-quenching (€6).
In short, Pink Cloud rue d’Ivryit is the perfect address for a lunch or dinner that transports you directly to Vietnam. Home cooking, a warm welcome and dishes that smell of authenticity: we embrace it. The restaurant is open every day from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. then 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. (continuously on weekends), except Wednesday.
