The best bo buns in Paris: 5 places to enjoy without moderation
Bo bun, the generous Vietnamese bowl of rice vermicelli, marinated beef, raw vegetables, fresh herbs, crispy egg rolls and nuoc-mâm sauce, has become the favourite dish of busy but demanding Parisians. Healthy, complete, tasty and ultra-comforting, it ticks all the boxes.
In Paris, the world capital of taste (and bo bun, let's face it), there's no shortage of good places to eat. But which ones really stand out from the crowd?
Where can you find the bo bun that makes you say "wow" at first bite?
We take you on a tour of our 5 favourite spots: from the most traditional to the most stylish, they all have one thing in common... they delight us.
1. Mian Fan Montparnasse: the purist bo bun that everyone loves
At Mian Fan Montparnasse, we're not messing around with the basics.
Here, there are no haphazard revisits or fancy additions of quinoa: the real bo bun is served, just like in Vietnam.
A melting pot of expertise and tradition, in a bright, modern setting just a stone's throw from the station.
The star recipe? Beef bo bun with fried onions, marinated in lemongrass.
It's served with a generous helping of crispy homemade egg rolls, firm noodles, fresh herbs galore, a well-balanced sauce and, above all, that little taste of 'reviens-y' that makes all the difference.
. Special mention must go to the ultra-tender chicken and the vegan version, which is as tasty as it is balanced.
The charm? Fast but friendly service XXL portionsAnd a terrace where you can slurp your bo bun in the sun. It's the ideal address for a relaxing lunch break, dinner with friends or a well-deserved comfort food session.
- Address: 124, boulevard du Montparnasse - 75014 Paris
- Opening hours : Every day from 12pm to 3pm and from 7pm to 11pm
- Official website
- Price: € (€)
2. Song-Heng: the straightforward bo bun, version 100 % tradition
Welcome to Song-Heng, a Vietnamese micro-cantine that has become a cult in the region. 3ᵉ arrondissement. There's no fuss here: people come to eat well, fast and cheap.
The menu is as short as it is effective, with two stars on the bill: the pho and above all the bo bun.
This dish is a real lesson in tradition. Served generously (in L or XL versions), it combines well-cooked rice vermicelli, slices of beef marinated and sautéed with onion, grated carrots, fresh mint, bean sprouts, peanuts, nuoc-mâm and crispy egg rolls if you like (extra charge €1, go for it). Everything arrives hot, fragrant and perfectly balanced.
Here, you eat quickly, often alone, in a queue, but you come out smiling and with a full belly for less than €12. And while the queue may seem daunting, it's almost part of the ritual.
- Address: 3 Rue Volta, 75003 Paris
- Telephone: +33 1 42 78 31 70
- Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 11am - 4pm (closed on Sunday)
- Price: € (€)
3. C' Trop Bún: "nem'orable" buns in Saint-Germain
Hanging red lanterns, enchanting aromas, colourful decor and a relaxed atmosphere: you're immediately transported to the heart of Vietnam... but in a chic street food version.
At the helm? Cathy and Nelson, a duo as passionate as they are generous.
Their speciality is bo bun - homemade from start to finish, with particular attention paid to textures and sauces.
The lemongrass beef is tender and fragrant, the caramelised chicken with ginger melts in your mouth, and the vegan version is second to none.
The real home twist? The "nem'orablesThese homemade egg rolls with their (secret!) purple stuffing are a panache accompaniment to every bowl, dipped in a lightly spiced, addictive nuoc-mâm sauce.
Wash it down with a freshly squeezed sugar cane juice or a Vietnamese coffee with condensed milk: the winning combo for an ultra-comforting lunch break in the 6ᵉ.
- Address: 25 Rue Dauphine, 75006 Paris
- Opening hours : Every day from 11.30am to 10pm
- Official website
- Price: €€
4. Hello Vietnam: the bo bun version of perfection (or almost)
With fourteen covers, a green front full of plants and an intimate atmosphere, this micro-cantine is like a hidden treasure in the heart of the Latin Quarter.
But what really attracts the faithful is the bo bun, voted by many as one of the best in Paris.
What's in it for you? Three reasons: the crispy egg rolls are deep-fried to perfection, the marinated beef is melt-in-your-mouth and spicy, and the balance of fresh herbs, vermicelli and nuoc-mâm sauce is just right.
Nothing sticks out. Even the portion is just right, and the price remains low for such a touristy area.
The à la carte menu also includes a comforting homemade phô banh cuon But it's the bo bun that's making the most noise - and rightly so.
- Address: 6 Rue Thouin, 75005 Paris
- Opening times: Every day except Tuesday, from 12pm to 3pm and from 7pm to 11pm
- Telephone: +33 1 43 54 78 04
- Price: € (€)
5. Le Petit Cambodge: the cult canteen on the Canal Saint-Martin
With its colourful garden chairs on the terrace and cosy atmosphere inside, this restaurant has become a classic in the Paris region. 10th arrondissement.
On the plate, there's nothing to complain about: the bo buns are generous, fresh and perfectly balanced. The egg rolls are fried to perfection, crisp and flavoursome, the beef marinated to perfection, and the fresh herbs add that aromatic twist typical of the region. Vietnamese street food.
And if you still have a little room, beef curry lor the pork and prawn imperial pâtés are also well worth a visit.
The service is fast, the atmosphere cool, the prices reasonable, and the terrace always full. In short: go there with your eyes closed and your mouth wide open.
- Address: 20 Rue Alibert, 75010 Paris
- Opening hours : Every day from 12pm to 11pm
- Official website
- Price: €€
