That makes four! Le Petit Cambodge isn’t quite so ‘small’ after all, having just opened its fourth branch… and a fifth is on the way! The restaurant, which describes itself as a lively and socially conscious neighbourhood eatery, remains true to its original promise: home-cooked food at affordable prices, fresh ingredients, a family-friendly and gourmet atmosphere, and a commitment to reducing waste. An ode to good food, brought to us by the duo Simon Octobre and Marine Le Quintrec.
Simon Octobre & Marine Le Quintrec
Simon and Marine, could you introduce yourself?
Simon:
Simon Octobre, founder of Le Petit Cambodge, brought me on board alongside the founders of the restaurant Le Cambodge, which has been established since 1997 in the 10th arrondissement on the Canal Saint-Martin – fifteen years ago now.
Having grown up in the neighbourhood, I first discovered the restaurant Le Cambodge as a customer and then, in 2003, as part of a student job, which I continued throughout my studies. Captivated by the restaurant trade, I wanted to put my knowledge of engineering and business development to use in developing a project that seems a little mad today, looking back from 9 September 2011 at 7 pm – the first service at Le Petit Cambodge.
Marine:
My name is Marine Le Quintrec; I was born in Paris but my roots are in Brittany. I’m passionate about places where people live, and I’m always on the lookout for new spots and keen to meet those who are making their mark in the very special world of hospitality. I love all things good and beautiful.
In fact, this is what has guided my career path: I have always been surrounded by high-quality products throughout my career. Following my most recent role with an international ice-cream franchise, I wanted to join a directly managed network, with a closer connection to the teams and the front line. That’s what led me to join Le Petit Cambodge five years ago, to support the group’s growth whilst preserving what gives it its soul: authenticity, quality and a family atmosphere.
Le Petit Cambodge: the story
Simon:
Thanks to family recipes and the dedication of our teams, Le Petit Cambodge has built up a loyal customer base who used to order takeaways to eat on the banks of the Canal Saint-Martin when there wasn’t enough room in the restaurant. We have thus succeeded in developing specialist expertise that has enabled us to meet new demands, such as home delivery, but above all to cater for a growing appetite for Asian food.
We then decided to open further venues to accommodate our ever-growing number of customers. We now adapt our growth strategy – and, more broadly, our projects – each year, in order to provide a positive experience for our customers and to build loyalty amongst our teams.
Marine:
We resumed our expansion in 2022: following two openings in the 10th and 17th arrondissements, two new venues are set to open this year. And for the first time, on the Rive Gauche! The group’s sixth restaurant opened its doors a few weeks ago on Rue Dauphine in the 6th arrondissement.
By the end of 2026, the group will comprise seven establishments, including – we can now reveal – a new venue in the 15th arrondissement, near the Félix Faure metro station!
“Cambodia is a country where each region has its own distinct character; we therefore invite our guests to travel between our properties to discover different atmospheres and specialities.”
Each address its destination
Simon:
Every restaurant has its own history and identity; indeed, we have always rolled up our sleeves and got stuck in, working alongside the teams on site, tweaking the décor whenever necessary or requested by either the staff or the customers. Together with Marine, we took on the role of designers and decorators for our latest restaurant on Rue Dauphine. Cambodia is a country with distinct regional identities; we therefore invite our customers to visit our various restaurants to discover different atmospheres and specialities.
Marine:
No copy-and-paste at Petit Cambodge. Each venue has its own unique character, shaped by its location, architecture, neighbourhood – and, let’s be honest, a little by our own tastes too. All you have to do is choose according to your mood: the friendly canteen atmosphere at 20 rue Alibert (10th arrondissement), the large communal table and the spectacle of spring rolls being made to order at 24 avenue Claude-Vellefaux (10th arrondissement), the cosy dining room at Guy-Môquet (17th arrondissement) or a visit to our newest addition on rue Dauphine (6th arrondissement). As for the menu’s must-try dishes, don’t worry – they’re available wherever you go <3
“Kitchen for the public good”: What do you mean by that?
Simon:
Cambodia and France have in common (along with a few other countries ;o) the fact that mealtimes are an important part of daily life. We get together over a good meal, and we take the time to eat and cook. In Phnom Penh, just as in Paris, we move from one neighbourhood and one place to another, discovering new recipes and new flavours, sharing and enjoying ourselves.
Selecting healthy products responsibly and preparing them every day to serve our customers is the foundation of our business. Similarly, investing in equipment and initiatives designed to reduce our environmental impact (eliminating gas, optimising energy cycles and systems, setting up a laboratory in Paris, sharing transport, etc.) and challenging our suppliers to do the same enables us to do our bit in the face of the changes ahead.
Marine:
We cook with a simple conviction: nothing should be left to chance. Everything is homemade; we always start with the raw produce, transforming the ingredients we receive. Every choice, from the producer to the plate, is carefully considered to ensure the experience is meaningful at every stage of the process, just like a craftsman. French meats, fresh herbs and vegetables, single-use plastic banned from the kitchens, filtered water served at the table. A quest for ‘meaning’ and ‘minimalism’: nothing superfluous, nothing in vain.
Neighbourhood & regulars
Simon:
On my way to the restaurant, I often bump into regulars from the early days; there’s a definite mutual bond between us. Their children are growing up, and those who’ve moved to the provinces – whether permanently or just for a while – often pop back to see us, telling us they miss us, or leave a note when we’re not there. It’s such a pleasure to be welcomed into a new neighbourhood by customers who used to travel across Paris to come and eat here and are happy to tell us: “We’re neighbours now!”
Marine:
Our pricing strategy is very important to us: with dishes starting at €12, we want to remain accessible to everyone. We’re also fortunate enough to have built up a loyal local clientele over the years. Regulars who’ve been with us from the start, as Simon explains. What always touches me is seeing these people come in to say hello to Christian, Kirita and Simon, with a story to tell, a shared memory or a word about the current team. That’s the bond we’ve managed to forge. This is my chance to thank them here. Our loyal regulars are our best guide. Please keep telling us what you like and, above all, what isn’t quite right. That’s how we improve and how we can ‘set things right’ straight away.
Your favourite dish?
Simon:
It’s now been over fifteen years since I was a young customer at Le Cambodge, and I simply couldn’t resist the pâtés impériaux, the special bobun and the lemon iced tea. I still go back there today, and it’s always a pleasure.
Marine:
That’s a tricky question – I’m really struggling to choose! I’d say spring rolls, which I reckon are the best in Paris, and satay beef skewers – my go-to comfort food.
Your Rive Gauche adresses
To get the day off to a good start, we always head to Bonjour Jacob, a local spot that’s just like us – it too was founded in the 10th arrondissement. When we fancy something sweet, it’s impossible to resist the cramique at Aux Merveilleux de Fred. For lunch, we’re torn between Maslow and la table de Mee – two sure-fire choices depending on our mood. For dinner, we tend to go for l’Avant-comptoir du marché or Localino. And as we’re both wine lovers, here are two places to discover new winemakers: Nous Cave or Pépites.
Wallpaper focus
Marine:
We like to give meaning to the projects we undertake. We were looking for some wallpaper and I remembered the designs by Le Monde Sauvage, a brand I’d come across through various architectural projects, particularly those by the firm June Architecte. The symbolism became even more striking when I discovered that the wallpaper is printed on rice paper. Rice is a staple in our kitchens: that’s it! 😊
My personal favourite was the Jaune Jaisalmer wallpaper: bright, sunny and perfectly in tune with the colour scheme of our brand identity. Simon, for his part, had fallen for the Uyuni. The end result is exactly as we’d hoped: walls that invite you to linger and admire both their textures and their imperfections. Depending on the light of day, the effect changes, creating a different atmosphere – much like that of the restaurants, which transforms throughout the day alongside our customers.
Simon & Marine’s shopping list
Parisian adresses
🍜 Le Petit Cambodge Alibert : 20 rue Alibert (Xe)
🍜 Le Petit Cambodge Vellefaux : 24 av. C. Vellefaux (Xe)
🍜 Le Petit Cambodge Môquet : 25 rue Guy-Môquet (XVIIe)
🍜 Le Petit Cambodge Dauphine : 14 rue Dauphine (VIe)
🍜 Khantine par Le Petit Cambodge : 4 rue Beaurepaire (Xe)
🍜 Le Cambodge (depuis 1997) : 10 avenue Richerand (Xe)
lepetitcambodge.fr I lepetitcambodge
Photographs : Clémence Sahuc I Sophie Schiano di Lombo
