Back in the day, Stéphane Ung’s mother used to frequent this bistro/bar for scratch tickets, while construction workers would chew the fat over coffee. Now all that remains of those days is the broken mosaic tile floor. Recently renamed Coupi (“café” in the Teochew dialect), this neighborhood bar with lots of wood and recycled materials is now one of the biggest Asian street food institutions in Paris. The chef sends out the best traditional bánh mì sandwiches in the city, with Vietnamese mortadella and roasted pork belly for the OG version, or others with lemongrass beef, or even with fried eggs and Maggi sauce for the Opla version. Also available on the menu: very fresh pork belly tacos with grated carrots, cilantro and crisp red cabbage; a tender bao bun stuffed with crispy breaded tofu; classic fries topped with ground beef and chives, all drizzled in mayonnaise and teriyaki sauce; or even some decadent karaage-style popcorn chicken pimped out with piri-piri sauce and fresh lemon. // J.P.
FEELING THIRSTY? Vietnamese coffee- or tea-based specialties, like an Ice Coup made with sweetened condensed milk and cinnamon, or the Ice Lemon Cha, a lemon ice tea (€4.50).
PRICE: Set menu €7.50 (bánh mì and a drink), bobol of the day €8.80 to €9, tacos €4, bao buns €3, sides €5.
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