Café Lai'Tcha in Paris: a gourmet trip to Southeast Asia - Video

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Published by Caroline de Sortiraparis · Photos by My de Sortiraparis, Caroline de Sortiraparis · Published on February 25, 2019 at 06:16 p.m.
Some culinary experiences are so bewitching that they'll never be forgotten. Such is the case with Café Lai'Tcha. Both a tea room-restaurant and high-end Asian caterer, this venue opened its doors in March 2018 under the impetus of highly reputed Chef Adeline Grattard and her husband Chi Wah Chan.

It's in the 1st arrondissement that lovers of Franco-Asian cuisine now meet to dazzle their taste buds. After the Yam'Tcha restaurant, awarded a Michelin star in 2010, then the boutique of the same name renowned for its baos, the duo Adeline Grattard and Chi Wah Chan have struck a new blow by opening Café Lai'Tcha.

Opened in March 2018 on Rue du Jour, in the former Jean-Paul Gaultier boutique, this venue truly charmed and won us over. The reasons? Creative, mouth-watering cuisine, a warm, friendly atmosphere and, last but not least, a sleek, bright decor.

Café Lai’Tcha à Paris, les photosCafé Lai’Tcha à Paris, les photosCafé Lai’Tcha à Paris, les photosCafé Lai’Tcha à Paris, les photos

Café Lai’Tcha à Paris, les photosCafé Lai’Tcha à Paris, les photosCafé Lai’Tcha à Paris, les photosCafé Lai’Tcha à Paris, les photos

Once you open the door, you discover the incredible height of the ceiling, with a privileged corner perched high above the long first floor. And then there's this huge counter in the entrance dedicated to catering. Yes, as well as being a restaurant and tea room, Café Lai'Tcha also offers a top-of-the-range catering service, where all the dishes on the restaurant's à la carte menu are served continuously. A big plus for Parisians in a hurry or lazy about cooking.

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So what can you enjoy at Café Lai'Tcha? A varied selection of hot and cold tapas with exquisite flavors, offering us a delicious and memorable trip to Southeast Asia.

First, there's the octopus, perfectly tender and sublimated with coconut milk for sweetness, kumbawa for acidity, then meltingeggplant and cucumber.

The sweet potato noodles, with sautéed mushrooms and 5-flavored tofu, were also perfect.

We also love the salad with Chinese pomelo, pieces of pink grapefruit, crumbled Petrossian king crab, chilli and peanuts for crunch. Simply delicious!

Café Lai’Tcha à Paris, les photosCafé Lai’Tcha à Paris, les photosCafé Lai’Tcha à Paris, les photosCafé Lai’Tcha à Paris, les photosChinese pomelo, pink grapefruit, king crab, chilli and peanut salad

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On the hot tapas side, we fell for the tender, tasty pollack cooked fish ball style. Add to that curried mussels and an incredible Tom Yum sauce , and you've got an exceptional dish!

Café Lai’Tcha à Paris, les photosCafé Lai’Tcha à Paris, les photosCafé Lai’Tcha à Paris, les photosCafé Lai’Tcha à Paris, les photosPollack fish balls, curried mussels and Tom Yum sauce

For the rest, we recommend delicious vegetable nems with homemade barbecue sauce, or Pot au Pho for beef lovers, or Buddha's wok for vegetable enthusiasts. Those with a spicy touch will be delighted with the sweet and sour chicken, pineapple, piquillo, onion and pomegranate.

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To accompany these dishes, there's a choice of beverages, including the essential Lai'Tcha, from which the place takes its name. Originally from Hong Kong, this black tea with condensed milk is a real discovery that can only be tasted at this address. And it would be wrong not to try it!

Last but not least, how can you leave Café Lai'Tcha without tasting the desserts concocted with brio by an Italian pastry chef? To continue your trip to Asia, we recommend you try the Polo Bao: a perfectly baked brioche, slightly warm and crunchy on top. What's inside? Pineapple.

Café Lai’Tcha à Paris, les photosCafé Lai’Tcha à Paris, les photosCafé Lai’Tcha à Paris, les photosCafé Lai’Tcha à Paris, les photosPolo Bao

Café Lai’Tcha à Paris, les photosCafé Lai’Tcha à Paris, les photosCafé Lai’Tcha à Paris, les photosCafé Lai’Tcha à Paris, les photosSticky rice with mango

Mango glutinous rice with coconut milk is another favourite. A must-try and a new favorite.

And if you run out of room, don't hesitate to return to Café Lai'Tcha at snack time to order a pastry and a Lai'Tcha!

Note that the menu changes regularly. It's a good opportunity to come back as often as possible to savour the creative, carefully-crafted dishes created by Adeline Grattard.

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Finally, Café Lai'Tcha also offers a creative and hearty Asian brunch on Sundays from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (reservations strongly recommended).

Asian brunch from 10.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. at 42 euros, including:

  • Viennoiserie (choice of pastries)
    • Polo Bao (Chinese brioche) with jam, crème fraîche, peanut praline
    • Babka chocolate, pecan with jam, crème fraîche, spread
  • Soup (choice)
    • Congee rice soup with scallops
    • Vegetable noodle soup
  • Side (your choice)
    • Spelt, butternut, crispy seeds
    • Treviso, cheddar, cumin, soy
  • Sandwich (choice)
    • Rye bread, smoked fish, cream cheese,
    • Hong Kong-style egg toast, spring onion, comté cheese

  • Dessert (choice)
    • Cranberry coulis with spices, fromage blanc mousse
    • Exotic fruit salad

Please note that it's been over 4 years since our last visit, so the place and experience may have changed.

Practical information

Location

7 Rue du Jour
75001 Paris 1

Route planner

Accessibility info

Official website
www.facebook.com

More information
Opening hours: Wednesday to Saturday, 11am to 8pm. Sunday Asian brunch from 10.30am to 4.30pm and tea room from 10.30am to 6pm Cold dishes from €8 to €14 Hot dishes from €6 to €14 Desserts from €4 to €8

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