Khmer Surin

Frommer's Review

In the heart of an expat area, full of apartments and bars, Khmer Surin serves real Khmer cuisine in a cozy, if a bit hokey, atmosphere. The interior is something like "nouveau Khmer" -- if there is such a thing -- with brick walls and fake Angkor-style columns. Beneath swirling ceiling fans, there are lots of dimly lit, quiet nooks to enjoy a romantic meal by candlelight (also some big tables out front for big rowdy groups of aid workers). The menu has good explanations in English, and is more or less a short course in Khmer cuisine. Try the string bean salad with chili, garlic, lime, peanuts, or a dish of locally produced beef jerky with rice crackers and vegetable salad. Rad no is wide rice noodles stir-fried with beef or chicken. Also try the local vermicelli noodles stir-fried with eggplant or cashew chicken.

Fresh morning glory -- pak boung -- goes great with a meal of cha geung (stir-fried meat with lemon-grass paste), galangal garlic, turmeric, onion, pepper, and roasted peanuts, served with a slice of pineapple. They have good Thai entrees, too. Everything has dried fish and prawns, so be sure to ask for your dish without them if you don't dig it. Follow up with sticky rice and mango. Portions are a good size, so order a few things to share and enjoy a cover-the-table spread. They deliver (for free).

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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