A tiny slice of Singapore in the 9th arrondissement, just steps from Saint-Lazare. Kaya Café is where you go for proper Hainanese chicken rice, laksa, and the pandan cake that everyone asks about — all at prices (€10-20) that feel almost impossible in this neighborhood. It's small, cozy, and run with genuine heart.
Authentic Singaporean chicken rice and the pandan cake everyone asks about, in a tiny cozy spot near Saint-Lazare.
Kitchen closes at 3pm Monday-Thursday, so come early for lunch — or plan for Friday/Saturday dinner service (7-9pm) and book ahead.
Real Singaporean comfort food near Saint-Lazare
Kaya Café is a little slice of Singapore tucked into the 9th arrondissement, just a stone's throw from Saint-Lazare. If you've been craving proper Hainanese chicken rice in Paris — and let's be honest, the options are thin on the ground — this is where you come. The chicken rice is the star: poached chicken, fragrant rice cooked in chicken stock, and the trio of dipping sauces that make or break the dish. Reviewers who know their Singaporean food say it tastes like home, and that's not faint praise.
Beyond the chicken rice, the laksa and chicken curry are solid bets, and the pandan cake is the thing everyone asks about — freshly baked, soft, with that distinctive green that tells you it's the real deal. The space is small and cozy, more café than restaurant, which makes it perfect for a quick lunch (kitchen closes at 3pm Monday through Thursday) or a relaxed dinner on Friday and Saturday evenings when they reopen from 7 to 9pm. At €10-20 per person, it's one of the most affordable proper meals you'll find in this neighborhood.
The only catch? Limited hours and a tiny space mean it can fill up, especially on weekends. Go early for lunch or book ahead for the Friday and Saturday dinner service.