In place of the former Thai Snack Place in Paris Square, a brand new Thai restaurant has just opened its doors. Open for lunch and dinner, “O-Charm” offers traditional street food in a warm, homey setting. We met with the owner, Jureeporn Sepsuk.
Jureeporn Sepsuk owns two massage salons in Luxembourg, but she has always worked in restaurants. “I started working alongside my mother, who ran a street food stall in Bangkok, and when I arrived in Luxembourg, I continued working in restaurants because I love cooking,” she explains.
She spent three years working both in the kitchen and front of house at the restaurants Jarn (on rue Origer) and Thai Snack. When the former owner of both places decided to sell, Jureeporn took the opportunity to branch out on her own. “It has always been my dream to have my own place, a restaurant that reflects who I am, with the food I love.”
Two years ago, Jureeporn took over Jarn, and just a month ago, “O-Charm,” located on Place de Paris (rue André Duchscher), opened its doors after major renovations. “The space is smaller than Jarn, so I was able to completely redesign it and create a brand-new atmosphere,” she adds.
A space designed like your living room
With a smile, the owner shares: “We wanted to recreate a living room atmosphere, with a sofa, tables, and a bookshelf filled with books.” Customers are even encouraged to borrow books or bring in ones they no longer read at home “just like you would at a friend’s house.”
For former Thai Snack regulars, don’t expect the same experience there, as everything has changed from floor to ceiling! An exposed red brick wall brings a warm and friendly feel, and the wooden beams that once lined the ceiling have been reused to build the bookshelf. The bench by the window has been rebuilt using wood and stone, decorated with fabric and velvet cushions imported from Thailand. On the walls, photos of Thai markets, rice fields, and street vendors bring authenticity, while iron light fixtures add a personal touch.
And a bar with high stools reminds guests that this is also the perfect spot for a cocktail paired with Thai dishes. “The kitchen is open until 9 p.m., but we stay open until midnight.“
Flavorful, accessible street food
Drawing from her experience at Jarn, Thai Snack, and also the restaurant Bangkok (where she worked for 3 years), Jureeporn wanted to create a menu with a difference. “I want my customers to taste authentic Thai dishes they won’t find in other restaurants in the city.”
So alongside Thai classics like Pad Thai, papaya salad, and Tom Yum soup, the chef also prepares lesser-known dishes. Don’t hesitate to order the whole fish (sea bream, during our visit), served on a plate with a lemongrass, coriander, white onion, and lime sauce, or a spicy chili sauce. It’s an absolute delight. Jureeporn also recommends trying the Hainanese chicken rice or the Thai basil fried pork served with a fried egg “the go-to combo that all Thais eat on the street,” she says.
Right now, the à la carte menu offers a wide selection, allowing Jureeporn and her chef to later keep only the most popular dishes, based on customer feedback.
The rooster, a lucky charm
Jureeporn is passionate about supporting local Thai craftsmanship and has chosen to import all her tableware from Thailand. “The plates and bowls are handmade, and I chose the rooster because it’s considered a lucky animal when starting a business in Thailand.“
On the bookshelf, tiffin containers decorated with the same rooster design “typically used for taking food to work or school” are displayed as part of the décor.
In warmer weather, a terrace will be set up along the sidewalk by the window, perfect for soaking up the sun with a cocktail and a plate of Pad Thai.
A pretty perfect definition of happiness.
