A huge, light-filled setting that transports you straight to Asia, an iconic roast duck, flawless service and generous portions of noodles, broths and flame-grilled meats: these are just some of the reasons we’re already itching to head back to Fat Belly, the cool new Marais hotspot with all the appeal of a next-gen rotisserie. Come hungry!
The new canteen at Do It
The opening of Fat Belly is already making serious waves at the top of ultra-trendy rue Charlot. And for good reason: Norman Kolton – founder of Street Bangkok – and Chinese-born restaurateur Sandra Tcheng have teamed up to brilliantly reinterpret some of the great classics of Southeast Asian cuisine, all at remarkably reasonable prices for the neighbourhood. The weekday lunch menu is particularly tempting, with huge plates of Cantonese-style roast duck (€21) or roast pork (€19), flame-roasted and served with silky, house-made noodles, of course.
Because everything here is made on site, as you can see from the deliciously caramelised meats hanging in full view of curious diners in front of the kitchen. Lemongrass-marinated gai yang chicken (€33 for two), crispy sesame-marinated pork belly (€18) and miso-caramelised pork ribs (€18) are also on the menu, perfectly suited to the addictive umami hit of the wok-fried rice with little vegetables, which we could happily eat by the kiloton every day. Also worth ordering: the shrimp wontons with chili oil (€11), also available as a soup with a pork, chicken and seafood broth that you’ll be talking about for days (€14).
To finish, there are some seriously good sweet bangers: the fluffy pandan brioche (€8), mango sticky rice (€10) or Honey Butter Ice Cream with butter and cherry blossom honey (€7), best paired with a perfectly orange Thai Tea made with black tea, condensed milk and brown sugar. Mmmh (€7). That was all it took to get the entire Do It editorial team hooked. As neighbours, we’re already planning weekly visits to decide which spot we like best: the train-style banquettes, the tucked-away dining room at the back or the big table for friends facing the mirror.
Open daily for lunch and dinner.
Also discover three new Asian restaurants we love and the hottest new street food spots making Paris drool.
