A stone's throw from Canal Saint-Martin, in a quiet street in the 10th arrondissement, Panda Panda has reinvented the Chinese canteen the way we would all like to have on our corner. Homemade dim sum, fluffy baos, Xiaolongbao dumpling soups, electric neon lights and Hong Kong-style decor: since opening in 2019, the venue has become one of the most loved in the neighbourhood — and for good reason. We go there, we tell the tale.
The location: Hong Kong at the end of the Canal Saint-Martin
Lucas Sauquet and André Tan, two former investment bankers turned restaurateurs, have opened Panda Panda with a clear concept: recreating the energy of a Hong Kong canteen, without the clichés. The result is instant. Red neon, lush plants, mahjong bar, cramped banquettes — the dining room has character and stories to tell as soon as you push open the door. And the vibe is lively too: you hear cantopop, watch steaming baos go by, and see waiters weaving through the room.
The venue's strong point: its size. The dining room remains intimate (around fifty covers), perfect for a dinner with friends or a hurried lunch without feeling rushed. The Canal Saint-Martin area attracts Parisian youth and foodie hipsters, and you can feel it in the clientele: relaxed, curious, and returning.
At the stove: genuinely home-made
Panda Panda's promise is simple: everything is cooked on site. The bao buns are steamed daily, the dumplings are folded by hand, and the sauces are signature. No frozen food, no shortcuts. That's rare at this price point — and it shows. Inspired by Hong Kong and Taiwan, the menu offers dishes that are bursting with generosity without being heavy and greasy. You'll find genuine, authentic, spot-on street food here that you rarely get in Paris.
The menu: small plates, big pleasure
We start with the dim sum row, the house's spearhead. The Xiaolongbao (8€) — steamed dumplings filled with scalding hot broth and pork — are an impeccable Taiwanese signature: thin skin, warm juice, to be eaten in a single bite. The prawn wonton ravioli (€8) are amazingly fresh. And the Brai'd pork Gua Bao (€7) — small folded steamed bun with melt-in-the-mouth pulled pork — is probably the best version we’ve tasted in Paris in this price bracket.
When it comes to sharing dishes, we fall for the HK-style roast duck (12€) — soy/sugar perfectly glazed, shiny skin, ultra-tender flesh. The Hong Shao aubergine and green bean stir-fry (7€) and the Taiwanese KFC-style crispy fried chicken are among the dishes that disappear first from the neighbouring tables. For the heartier dishes, the Beef thick chow fun noodles (10€) brings back in the tea house from Hong Kong, and the Black Tiger prawn tempura (12€) closing the party.
A bonus not to be missed: the Yangzhou fried rice (€5) which goes with everything, and the selection of Asian beers (Tsingtao, Tiger) which are perfectly ice-cold.
Atmosphere & experience: what we love
Panda Panda is doing something rare: serving sincere, joyful and accessible Chinese cuisine. No gourmet price tag, no nasty surprises at the end. Expect around €25-35 per person with a beer, dishes to share. The service is quick, attentive and no-frills — often in bilingual Chinese-French mode. You come here for a relaxed dinner, a date that strays from the usual sushi, or a business lunch with a difference.
The other address to know if Panda Panda is fully booked: its big brother Tiger Tiger, a 10 min walk away (15 rue René Boulanger, Paris 10), same HK canteen vibe with the concept of cha-chaan teng. Panda Panda Group also includes Baobar (Marais), Suzie Wong (Bastille) and Mr Chow (14th arrondissement).
Why do we love it?
- All homemade, from bao to dumplings — rare at this price
- The authentic HK 100% atmosphere — neon lights, plants, mahjong bar
- The XiaoLong Bao at €8 — one of the best steamed dumplings in Paris
- The pork Gua Bao, soft and precise
- A varied menu between €5 and €12 — lunch for €20 possible
- The location — between Belleville and Canal Saint-Martin, perfect after-work
Practical information
📍 Address: 21 Rue Juliette Dodu, 75010 Paris
🚇 Underground: Colonel Fabien (line 2), Goncourt (line 11), Belleville (lines 2, 11)
☎ Téléphone : 01 71 39 55 45
🕒 Opening hours: 7 days a week · 12:00-14:30 and 19:00-22:15
💶 Price: €5-12 per dish · ~€25-35/person with drinks
🌐 Website: pandapandagroup.com
📸 Instagram : @pandapandagroup_
Frequently asked questions
Should one book at Panda Panda?
Highly recommended for Thursday to Saturday dinners. The dining room fills up quickly, and the queue on-site can reach 30 minutes at peak times. Book 2-3 days in advance for the weekend.
What is a Gua Bao?
A Taiwanese steamed bun folded in half, traditionally filled with braised pork, crushed peanuts, coriander and Chinese pickled mustard greens. The format resembles a mini Asian burger—you can easily order several.
Is Panda Panda suitable for a romantic dinner?
Rather yes — the neon + mahjong bar + cocktails vibe really works. Downside: the tables are close together and the room can be noisy. For more privacy, aim for 7pm sharp at opening or ask for a booth along the edge of the room.
To go further: find our best Chinese restaurants in Paris or us Asian addresses in the 11th arrondissement.
