Viet 1331, the 13th arrondissement's new immersive Vietnamese karaoke restaurant

In the 13th arrondissement, particularly on avenue d'Ivry, there are so many restaurants to choose from that it's sometimes difficult to make a choice. In the category of new Asian restaurants, particularly Vietnamese, we present Viet 1331, which we set out to discover.

At first glance, what makes this place so special is its decor. This is in stark contrast to the classic restaurants found in the area. Whether on the terrace, as you enter or upstairs, you're immediately transported to Vietnam. From the street food alleys with their many colorful signs on the first floor, to the other regions of Vietnam upstairs, the change of scenery is guaranteed. You won't know where to look, with treasures hidden in every nook and cranny.

And speaking of treasure, the restaurant also hides two huge karaoke rooms, with plenty of room for family and friends. The sound system and soundproofing are impeccable. All you have to do is warm up your vocal chords and get your band together. Rooms are rented by the hour.

At the helm is a Vietnamese couple. Monsieur, the chef, has been in the business for 30 years and has already worked in a number of restaurants. Together with his wife, this is his second restaurant. The first, named Viet Quan, is located in Montrouge and is completely different. While the 1st restaurant is more traditional and "chic", for Viet 1331, the couple wanted to recapture the effervescence of Vietnamese streets, places where people aren't afraid to talk, make noise, laugh and eat on the go, or share lots of different dishes on the table.

The restaurant is open non-stop from 11am to midnight. You can come at any time, even for an afternoon dessert. If you're looking for a lively restaurant, you've come to the right place, but if it's quieter, you'll have to move on.

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And as the owner admits, it's only in the 13th arrondissement that they can afford to offer truly typical dishes that go beyond the standard we're all familiar with. So, she presents us with two menus, one rich in images and presenting a rather classic list, and another aimed more at natives and true connoisseurs in search of Vietnamese dishes not necessarily found everywhere.

So, don't worry, you'll find Phô (very generous, we warn you), Bo buns, Bun bo Hué, Bœuf Loc Lac or even the street food rotisseries of Vietnam. But you can also enjoy chicken leg salad, beef jerky with green mango, jellyfish salad or grilled pork intestines and octopus with tamarind sauce, for example.

For our part, we set our sights on the shrimp mango salad with an assortment of fried dishes, the Ha Noi grilled pork, a phô and the complete beef dish La Lot. We have to admit, our eyes were bigger than our stomachs. Especially when we saw the imposing phô special arrive. This noodle soup is made with a clear broth, typical of North Vietnam. And it's all glutamate-free, as the couple like to think of each customer as a member of their family, with their health in mind. While prices may seem a tad more expensive than next door, the house makes a point of choosing quality French meats and producing its recipes without flavor enhancers. Some may think that the broth lacks taste, while others will see it as quality and quantity.

A special feature of the La Lot beef is that the pork is not minced, giving it a different texture that still melts in the mouth. We take a little of everything and make our own gourmet rolls to dip in the nuoc-mâm sauce. Add a lightly sweetened 3-color dessert and an iced tea to share, and you've got yourself a deal. We loved the profusion of herbs, salads and marinated vegetables, and the generous homemade dishes.

In short, if you're looking for a lively restaurant with a beautiful atmosphere and modern decor, where you can eat well and, why not, sing at the top of your voice. Think Vietnamese restaurant Viet 1331!