The Hood Paris: The Pandan Revolution in the 11th Arrondisment

In the heart of the 11th arrondissement, Abang Brian found home the moment he opened the door to The Hood Paris. A buzzing café and restaurant that has become a soul-restoring haven for modern Asians and a vibrant cultural bridge for Parisians. In this episode, Pearl and Crystal, the co-founders of The Hood, share their incredible journey. They detail how they went from careers in finance and accounting to pioneering Southeast Asian cuisine in one of the world’s most demanding food capitals. Their mission was never just about food; it was about creating a community-driven kopitiam where everyone feels at home, breaking down stereotypes that label Asian food as merely "cheap takeaway." This episode explores the delicate dance of cultural identity in how they adapt the heavy, rich flavours of rendang and Curry Laksa for the French palate, their thoughtful use of MSG, and the audacious idea of pairing Nasi Lemak with natural wine. It’s a story of passion, pride, and the kind of food that is so comforting, it becomes a universal language. 0:00 - Intro01:05 - Finding Home: From Finance toKopitiam05:25 - The Pandan & Kaya Revolution11:15 - Breaking Bread, We Break Rice16:05 - How Chicken Soup Won Over theFrench21:45 - Produce, Terroir, and the MSGDebate27:35 - "Cheap Asian Food" 32:00 - The Oeuf Mayo Sambal Fusion:Adapting Flavours41:15 - The Soul of The Hood43:55 - The Mother Ship Concept: Nonette& Future Plans47:10 - The Sambal SurveyTimestamps: