kdkdk

Pépite: Mauritian street food arrives in Paris with Ti Dodo Gourmand.

undefined undefined 22 juillet 2025 undefined 12h00

undefined undefined 22 juillet 2025 undefined 14h03

The Editor

© Ti Dodo Gourmand

Just a year ago, Meeta, a woman with a big heart, took on a challenge: to share some unknown specialties from Mauritius, where she lived for half of her life, with the hungry folks of Rue de Lappe (11th district). And that's how Ti Dodo Gourmand was born, the first Mauritian street-food spot in Paris where you can treat your taste buds without breaking the bank.

What do we really indulge in by the roadside, in between two dips, on the paradise-like island of Mauritius? A true ritual in the daily life of Mauritians, it’s around the street food, friendly and authentic by nature, that Meeta and Olivier, her partner, chose to focus on when opening their first restaurant on rue de Lappe (11th), just a stone’s throw from Bastille. Far from a stuffy establishment, Ti Dodo Gourmand bets on simplicity to celebrate, without detours, the recipes brought in from this island territory filled with a thousand spices and delights. Let’s take a look back at our visit.


Colorful Starter 

Is it the charm of this lovely couple of food enthusiasts or the comfort served in their dishes that left the biggest impression on us? It's hard to choose! Upon our arrival, we discover a small establishment with warm orange tones, simple yet inviting. Tables on the left for enjoying a meal and an open counter on the right for placing orders. Meeta is at the helm and knows the menu inside out: while regulars might manage just fine, we prefer to ask her for recommendations on which dishes to try. For the starter, we go with Gato Piment, which are spicy fried balls (mild peppers, cumin, coriander) made from yellow split peas, resembling falafels, served with battered chicken drumsticks and their Dodo sauce, a perfectly seasoned mayo. It's crispy, it's delicious!

it teases your taste buds without overdoing it (almost too politely), and it sets the stage for what comes next. 


The Taste of Mauritius 

Then the dishes come rushing in, showcasing all the potential of Ti Dodo Gourmand and the Indian, African, European, and Asian influences that shape Mauritian cuisine. The Karay recipes first take us on a journey with Asian flavors av...and their stir-fried rice and noodles, traditionally prepared in a large cast-iron pan similar to a wok, where soy sauce flows generously. Masterfully made, flavorful, but not exactly what we came looking for. The rougaille, a classic Mauritian dish, charms with its herb-infused sauce and beautiful slices of sausage, served generously. 

However, it’s definitely the Dipain, a fusion sandwich of Eastern and Mauritian cuisine, that catches our attention the most. It can be ordered in bread or as a wrap, with a veggie option - filled with salad, tomatoes, red onions, pickled vegetables (cabbage, carrots, green beans), and coriander - but we opt for the carnivore version with its marinated chicken, grilled on a skewer, tender, juicy, and perfectly seasoned. The best part? The quality of the ingredients, (always) homemade, and the Prices : €7.80 for a sandwich individually, €9.90 with fries, €11.50 with a drink, and €14.50 if you want to add a dessert. Among them, the well of love, which is a Breton cookie with exotic fruits, is itself a delicious blend of the meeting between Mauritius and France. The love of a land and sharing : that’s a perfect way to sum up the spirit of Ti Dodo Gourmand. 

Address: 4 Rue de Lappe, 75011 Paris, France