The pho tai arrives with thin slices of rare beef going pink-to-grey in a broth that has simmered since morning. This is the house signature at a small family canteen on rue Philibert-Lucot, in the 13th arrondissement's Asian quarter, kept by Mr and Mrs Te. A bowl runs around €13 and a full meal about €25 a head. The MICHELIN Guide lists Pho Tai as a Bib Gourmand — by most accounts the only Vietnamese address in Paris to hold one.
The Kitchen
Pho Tai traces to founder Te Ve Pin, who came to France from Vietnam in 1968; the room is now run as a family canteen, with Mr and Mrs Te keeping watch over the pass and the till. There is no celebrity chef here and the kitchen does not claim one — the cooking is the family's, repeated to a standard for decades.
The signature is the pho tai, rare beef sliced into an aromatic, long-simmered beef broth. Beyond it, order the bo bun, frequently named among the best in Paris, and the banh cuon (steamed rice rolls) that the MICHELIN inspectors single out; the lemongrass-and-ginger chicken is the reliable non-soup option.
The MICHELIN Guide France lists Pho Tai as a Bib Gourmand for good-value cooking, and notes it as the rare Vietnamese kitchen in the capital to hold the distinction.
The Room
The room is tiny, plain and brisk — a true neighbourhood canteen rather than a designed dining room. Tables turn quickly, the lighting is functional, and at weekend lunch a queue forms down rue Philibert-Lucot. It is cash-friendly and unceremonious; come to eat well and move on, not to linger over a long evening. Closed Mondays.
Best for Solo Dining
Book a stool for solo dining because a single bowl of pho tai is a complete, satisfying meal, the counter turnover means you are never made to feel rushed out or fussed over, and the bill is small. Arrive just before noon or in the mid-afternoon lull to skip the queue, and order the pho tai with a side of the bo bun.
Not for
Skip it for a slow, romantic dinner — the room is small and brisk, tables turn fast, and weekend queues form down rue Philibert-Lucot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pho Tai a Michelin restaurant?
Yes — Pho Tai holds a Michelin Bib Gourmand, the guide's mark for good cooking at a fair price, and is widely reported as the only Vietnamese restaurant in Paris to carry the distinction. It is listed in the MICHELIN Guide France as of 2026. It is not Michelin-starred; the Bib recognises value rather than fine dining.
Where is Pho Tai in Paris and how do I get there?
Pho Tai is at 13 rue Philibert-Lucot in the 13th arrondissement, in Paris's Asian quarter near Les Olympiades. The nearest Metro is Maison Blanche on Line 7. It sits among the Chinatown high-rises south of Place d'Italie; do not confuse it with the separate Pho Tai Tai across the street.
What should I order at Pho Tai?
Order the pho tai — rare beef in a long-simmered broth — which is the house signature. The bo bun is among the best in Paris, and the banh cuon (steamed rice rolls) are singled out by Michelin inspectors. If you want a non-soup plate, the lemongrass-and-ginger chicken is the dependable choice.
How much does a meal at Pho Tai cost?
A bowl of pho costs around €13, and a full meal with a starter and drink lands near €25 to €30 per person. Michelin rates it at its lowest single-euro price tier, which is why it carries a Bib Gourmand. It is one of the better-value sit-down meals in the 13th.
Does Pho Tai take reservations?
Pho Tai manages its own bookings by phone rather than through a platform, and the small room fills fast. There is no online reservation system, so call ahead or expect to queue at weekend lunch. The restaurant is closed on Mondays; weekday lunches and mid-afternoon are the calmest times to walk in.
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