Push open the door of this cute bobo Vietnamese (it goes without saying, since we’re only 100m from Marché d’Aligre) and grab a seat in front of the bar. You won’t want to miss out on the natural light. Once comfortable, order Hanoi beer and prepare to watch the handiwork of the chefs as they juggle pots and pans.
The beef in the bo-bun is delicious, melt-in-the-mouth and just the right side of pink. The nems are sublime – with a chicken and prawn filling spicy enough to attack a cold if you have one. It’s a shame the accompanying fresh vegetables and fresh herbs are a little on the stingy side.
Chicken meatballs with combava leaves (a lime-like citrus fruit) are fresh and powerful, even more so dipped in kumquat sauce. The highlight is the dessert – coconut tapioca pearls with fresh mango, banana and toasted sesame seeds. With Do et Riz in your address book, there’s no need to travel across the world for a little taste of Asia.