Today I ate lunch in a little chinese style canteen. I was just passing on the Rue St Honore, on my way back from the Post Office when I saw a long queue of people outside this little restaurant. There was a sign attached showing the menu of the day. Entree: a choice of 3 or 4 things, Main: Salt & Pepper Prawns, Dessert: a choice of 2 or 3 chinese biscuity things plus a drink, plus a coffee for €6.50. I joined the queue thinking if there was this many people in a city where little chinese style canteens are everywhere, it must be good.

It wasn’t.

Everyone was chowing in. Chatting & laughing, struggling with chopsticks, and generally having a good time, while I was pushing around some very dry prawns, avoiding the microwave soggy nems amidst a lump of steamed rice with bits of veges vaguely dispersed. I pocketed the bottle of water, the sesame biscuit and bolted, freeing up my table for some more happy customers.

Moral of the story. Don’t ever trust a queue for chinese food in Paris. Either all the restaurants are terrible, or too expensive – that’s the only way I can justify how come so many Parisiens decided to part with €6.50 and an hour of their time. Get a recommendation. I’m sure there are nice Chinese restaurants, even canteens, but get someone to vouch for it before you go ahead and try it.