Phnom Penh

nomnomnom★★★★★★★★★★5.0a month ago

although i think there are greater vancouver institutions, i can definitely see why phnom penh is so popular (there was a line at 3pm on a thursday?!?!) — everything was very yummy ! the butter beef (probably their most famous dish) was thinly sliced yet you could taste/feel the quality of the slightly warm, tender , slurpy meat. the flavouring was VERY strong — it was drenched in a sour, tangy soy sauce which had bits of fresh, sharp cilantro that cut through the seasoning. the beef luc lac was very different from what i expected, but it got more and more scrumptious with every bite. i was expecting a very sweet, flavourful sauce, but it was actually mildly savoury (maybe a bit underwhelming?). i’d say it’s a comforting, homey dish more than anything, especially with the sauce drenching the warm rice and mixed with a bit of egg yolk that’s slightly cooked from the heat. i would’ve liked if the egg was fried a bit more crispy though. the lemongrass chicken was also SUPER delicious — i might’ve actually preferred it to the beef luc lac. it’s really moist, juicy, hot chicken with a really good bbq lemongrass flavour. you can never go wrong with lemongrass chicken. i had a bite of the kho dry noodles, and it was reallyyyyy good. the noodles were buttery, the sauce was savoury and satisfying, and adding chili gives it a nice spicy kick. i was looking forward to trying the famous chicken wings, but i was a bit underwhelmed and maybe even disappointed. it was crispy, but could’ve used more salty seasoning. it came with a peppery, lemon sauce, but that didn’t really do much either. i also very much enjoyed the complimentary pork bone soup, especially the big chunk of pork . the taro tapioca dessert had a generous amount of warm, mushy chunks of taro in it, was surprisingly sweet (in a good way!!!), and had a splash of aromatic, creamy coconut milk(?) on top. best enjoyed hot/warm though — it’s not as good when it cools.

Vincent Huynh★★★★★★★★★★5.07 months ago

Phnom Penh is a go to destination for locals and tourists. It blends Vietnamese and Cambodian dishes into delicious meals that’s served family style. We’ve never been disappointed going there. Our go to dishes are the famous wings, butter beef and luc lac with an egg. The moo shakes are great too. We’ve also had the papaya salad which is pretty tasty and refreshing too. The only issue with Phnom Penh is that they don’t do reservations and with it being so popular, you’re most likely going to have to wait. But it’s definitely worth it! There’s a bar down the street where you can wait things out.

Alexandra★★★★★★★★★★5.02 months ago

I remember when Chinatown was once a bustling community of people and storefronts, lively and enthusiastic. Bakeries, apothecaries, cafés, butcher and toy shops, and grocery stores coexisted in harmony, and the sights and sounds would thrill you to no end. Slowly though, the gentrification of Chinatown gave way to the West. It was like a storm cloud had permanently ensconced itself over the entire town, only content to leave once all visible signs of Chinese Culture had been eradicated, and it had been turned into a virtual Ghost Town. In its wake, the devastation took its toll, as one by one, the stores folded and gave way to the likes of Dollar Tree and Waves Coffee House, which have no business being in Chinatown. Now, there are only a handful of stores still open and going strong. These places have weathered the storm as their roots were planted deep, and they refused to be defeated. One such place is Phnom Penh, a modest sized establishment that, to this day, is just as busy as ever. With an extensive menu of delicious food to choose from, you are never left feeling like you didn't eat enough. On the contrary, you more than likely want to order another plate of Chicken Wings, their prized bestseller. And it's no exaggerated empty claim, as every single table will have a plate of those beloved sweet and salty at the same time wings. When I decided to eat there with my family the other day, the entire restaurant was packed, and many more people were eagerly waiting in the front entrance to be seated. You must get there when they first open, otherwise, you are guaranteed to be waiting at least half an hour. But the wait is worth it, as the first bite of those wings makes you forget everything else. Other favorite dishes of ours include Cambodian Deep Fried Squid and Marinated Butter Beef, an Asian Beef Carpaccio, if you will. Everything tastes wonderful, though, so you should definitely explore the menu. Naturally, we couldn't resist grabbing some extra take~out, as it's just that damn good. A fixture that is still persevering in times of adversity, you must head over to Phnom Penh and indulge your tastebuds.

Tony Wang★★★★★★★★★★4.04 months ago

Amazing food (garlic chicken) and it shows with the long wait people are willing to accept. Unfortunately, their strength is also a double edged sword. They don’t accept waitlisting ahead of time so you’re forced to go in person and wait 1 hour+. Not everyone can afford to wait in person for that long but if you can, just expect for it to take a while… — Food is amazing, waiting not so much…

Sammy B★★★★★★★★★★5.03 months ago

The moment the aroma from their fried chicken wings hits your nose you start to realize why this place always has a line and how every list has Phnom Penh as a place you cannot miss in Vancouver. Even with skepticism, this place reaches the highs it so quietly can brag about. From first bite to last, it's hard not to smile with each bite. Let's start with the most obvious dish: the deep fried chicken wings are incredible. Similar to a salt and pepper chicken wing you can find at any great Chinese restaurant, the savory flavors enrapture you from smell to taste. A generous portion is given but if you end up finishing it yourself no one will be able to blame you considering how tasty these wings are. The Marinated Butter Beef isn't made with butter but with how tender and juicy as it is you'd think it was. Similar to a delicious carpaccio the thin slices mixed with the savory sauce and herbs leave a fresh taste on the palate, not something you can say often with beef. Filet Beef Luc Lac on Rice with Egg was a fantastic mixture of sweet and savory. It reminds me of a Cambodian version of bulgogi, I enjoyed having this mix of flavors and the vehicle of rice to carry it all home was enjoyable. The Green Papaya Salad was a great example of how generous the dishes are here. A plate full of julienne papaya in a light sauce and served with shrimp and a beef jerky makes this a burst of freshness. Highly enjoyable and a great start and palate cleanser. Phnom Penh Hot and Sour Soup with Fish is so tasty. I didn't think I'd enjoy this but it was a soup filled with different flavors and soft textures. Very comforting on rainy cold days and perfect for sharing. If you're looking for exceptional food that will always be a conversation starter when looking back at the meal, try Phnom Penh. No regrets.