Madame Shawn

There are dozens of Asian restaurants in Paris, but not many that can boast a cuisine as succulent as Madame Shawn’s. This authentic Thai mini-chain now has seven restaurants in the city, all highly praised by regulars and newcomers alike, but the mother nest is on the narrow rue de Lancry in the charming Canal Saint Martin quarter. Tucked away from the district’s bobo bustle, it’s a haven of serenity decorated with Buddhas, bamboo screens, black wooden chairs and soft lighting. The peaceful atmosphere is perfect for an exquisite dinner before or after a walk along the banks of the canal.

Conceived as “symphonies of subtle flavor”, Madame Shawn’s spicy or sweet-and-sour dishes explore the richness of Thai gastronomy, including shrimp marinated with garlic and mint sauce, papaya salads or Madame Shawn’s own take on a traditional bobun dish of rice vermicelli with vegetables and onions. But the real treats are the meat and fish specialties, such as the “tiger tears”, a filet of beef marinated with honey and herbs, “so good that the tiger cries to have more”; or the hor mok pla, a fillet of fish steamed inside a banana leaf. My own favorite remains the mapraw neua, sliced beef spiced with green curry and cooked with coconut milk inside a coconut shell. Once you’ve devoured several of these tasty dishes, you may want to opt for a light finish of sweet coconut for dessert.

56 rue de Lancry, 10th, 01.42.38.07.37. €30–€35. Wines starting at €20.

Prices are approximate, per person without wine.

Originally published in the December 2012 issue of France Today