Kampuchea Restaurant

11/10/09

Just okay - Go to AN CHOI 85 Orchard Instead

by ragazzamilanese

The food here is just not that amazing and verges on pricey for what it is -- for truly fabulous Vietnamese (this is not really cambodian food - they would serve Amok if so) in a cute hip place nearby, check out AN CHOI at 85 Orchard. I went there the other night and was blown away by the bahn-mi and pho.

• Pros: Ambiance, location
• Cons: Food, price

09/19/09

Over price and poor atmosphere

by p626021

I am Asian and I have eaten a lot of Asian food in my life. Kampuchea's food is good and acceptable but it is at least 50% more than what one should pay. The higher prices is not because it has a better atmosphere, better quality, nor better service. My noodle soup (PHO) was served at luke warm temperature and small portion. For those of us who have been eating noodle soup all our lives, noodle soup should be served HOT. I am not the type that judges a restaurant by its portion, but when the portion is rediculously small compared to the price charged then there is is a problem.

The Sandwiches: Traditional Vietnamese sandwiches are known for the quality of the bagette, which should be warm and crunchy, almost like fresh out of the oven. At Kempuchea the bread is toasted before it is served to give that warm and crunchy characteristic, like they do at Quizno. Nothing wrong with that if you are not particular about quality. To me, it is just a short cut way of serving bread that has been sitting on the shelf for a while. At $12 to $20 a pop, I expect my bread to be baked at the time of order. Say I am picky? Well, go to a place called Baoguette at St. Marks Place (aka E 8th street) or a small Vietnamese Sandwich place on Mott Street, they charge their sandwiches from $5 to $8 (1/2 of what Kampuchea charges) and the bagette are always no more than 10 to 15 minutes old. Why? Because they know the heart of a Vietnamese Sandwich is in the bread; and their PHO is always served with hot broth.

Oh, talk about the PHO... anyone who ever had PHO before, can tell you that it always comes with a wedge of lime and it is always served on the side so you can squeeze the juice into the soup. No, not at Kampuchea. the Lime is server already dunk into the soup and I have to fish it out of the soup in order to squeeze the juice into soup. Say I am nit picking... I say not so, because when a restaurant charges $16 for a bowl of Pho which I can get else where for $8, I expect major differentiation and attention to the detail. Otherwise, what is the value in the 100% markup?

The atmosphere is poor in this restaurant. I was there on the Sat night. They were play Jamaican and rap music, and it was VERY loud. Why does restaurants believe that music has to break your ear drum? Good music in a restaurant help the set the mood and not overpower the guests' conversation. Again, at everything being charged at least $50% more than else where I expect differentiation; and I did not notice any. BTW, you don't even get your own table because at Kampuchea, it is communtal dining. Nothing wrong with that, especially, if you want to pay more and get less.

About the only good thing about Kampuchea is the Pork Belly. Very exquisite and it is a MUST try. Don't order anything else. You'll be very disappointed unless you never had Vietnamese/Cambodian food elsewhere before.

• Pros: Order the Pork Belly
• Cons: Over price

A taste of Southeast Asia in casual downtown digs

by Melanie Berliet

Get acquainted with Cambodian cuisine at this cozy corner spot. Typical Asian flavors with a slight twist shine through in popular appetizers like the tamarind baby back ribs (with pickled soy sprouts and cilantro) and the crispy pork belly (in an apple cider and honey glaze). Both make great prequels to a warm noodle soup with oxtail or a spicy, vegan-friendly stew starring butternut squash, spinach and eggplant. Sunset-orange paint, exposed brick and communal tables add to a comfortable dining experience that’s augmented by friendly, knowledgeable waiters who are happy to guide menu selections without pushing patrons to over-order.

03/15/09

WHAT A JOKE!

by AuTourDuMonde32

I grew up in NY, and I eat out 5 days a week.. I've probably been to half the restaurants and eatery's that this city has from Pelham Bay to Hudson Bay to Rockaway Bay... the jacket-onlys to the "english not necessary"s.. and this place, is honestly the biggest let down I can recently remember.__________________

I don't understand how people could enjoy this stuff.. But I get the same idea everytime my bus is stuck at a red light infront of a crowded McDonalds..__________________

Salty slop.. ____________________________________

I have not felt this ripped off in a loooong time...__________________

I left saying that I would have rather lost $60 then spent it on what I just ate... And I honestly would have.. I even had to go eat again just to feel satisfied.

____________________________________

It's one thing to spend money for excellent food in small portions.. Where incredible service and prime ingredients are prepared and presented..__________________

... But to spend $18 on a half full bowl of salt and $1.15 worth of ingredients, put together haphazardly and served with unappreciative snide pomp in an address that used to be a dope den.. is just ridiculous.

______________________________________________________

Another thing.. Calling this food "Cambodian" is like calling boars-head ham and swiss "french cuisine"..

__________________

I've been to Cambodia/Kampuchea.. more than once.. and there's nothing like the slop I was served on order there.. Unrecognizable.

____________________________________

I never complain about a restaurant, never.. But I had to come on here to air this one out like the stench that's coming from my behind tonight from the food they served me..

____________________________________

Any self-respecting foodie: STAY AWAY!__________________

__________________

Any one with no palate (like the "editor" who wrote that ridiculous almost comedic synopsis of the place here), just do yourself a favour in these hard times, and keep that $30+/head in your pocket and go to your McDonalds.. you'll feel better at the end of the day.

______________________________________________________

You want soups, go to Viet Huong.. You want Banh style sandwiches go to Nickys or Banh Mi.. I can go on and on about better places to spend your time and money, to eat the food they supposed to be serving, but that's what that search box up there is for.. And in the neighborhood, honestly, your stomach will feel better after San Loco up the block! haha really! And so will your wallet!____________________________________

Kam-PUKE-a..__________________

HUGE thumbs down.

I hate getting screwed and not enjoying it

• Pros: Interior/ Decor
• Cons: The food #1, The inexcusable prices #2, The service #3..

11/24/08

Great value for delicious food!

by cit1_girl

I love Kampuchea, it is one of my favorite spots in NYC. The food is a cross between Vietnamese and Chinese cuisines and the chefs are great in turning out savory dishes with exotic flavors. My favorites are their noodle soups, i would make recommendations but they change their menus every once awhile. I am a very picky eater especially with Asian food and i must say, this place is a must go.

• Pros: great food, great prices. New menus
• Cons: can't make reservations

11/02/08

Horrible Service; Totally Overpriced

by kennebunk08

Service was absolutely horrible. Had dinner there last weekend with some friends and asked for a dessert menu at the end. They did not have dessert, so we asked to see the drink menu again. Next thing we know, the host was in our face telling us to vacate our table and go to the bar if all that we were going to do was have drinks. He had a long line of people waiting but refused to serve us drinks at the table. It was pretty shocking. No restaurant in New York had ever told us to get the hell out of our table unless we had food in our mouths. Usually, if a restaurant wants to turn a table quickly, waiters would hover or repeatedly ask if they could get you something else. But not at Kampuchea.

With that said, I suppose we should count ourselves lucky. Just read a review by another Kampuchea customer who was kicked out and cursed out by the chef outside the restaurant just because his/her party, upon sitting down, did not want to move to a less ideal table as requested by the manager. At least no psychopath followed us out of the restaurant.

Meanwhile, the food here is overpriced and overrated. It's not all together bad but definitely nothing to write home about. The decor is mediocre and the ambience nothing special. If you're willing to venture further downtown just a bit to Chinatown, you'll find a world of much cheaper Chinese, Vietnamese, Malaysian and Asian food in general that is far superios than Kampuchea's. But if you care about ambience, decor and great service too, just pick any restaurant on the Lower East Side and skip this one.

• Pros: location
• Cons: terrible service; overpriced

10/22/08

delicious and inventive

by phuong9to5

The quality of food for the price is unsurpass. the chef and this restaurant is definately hitting their marks. We went in with some doubts since South east asian food 'should' be in inexpensive. From first glance, you would assume they are charging so much. But once you order and see and taste. Thats when you say to yourself, stop and enjoy. reccomended items (atleast what we loved and have gone back for):

Tamarind baby back ribs

Crispy pork belly

grilled mackerel

grilled corn

Sandwich tasting, had oxtail, bacon, shrimp, catfish are the ones I crave the most

oxtail stew

chicken noodle soup

• Pros: all dishes listed
• Cons: had to wait almost an hour a few times/ chairs are uncomfortable for a long period

08/15/08

Awesome food

by rocksandscissors

This restaurant should be on top of your list to try. They have these great sandwiches 'numpang' (sp) . One of the best we've ever had. We had the tasting sandwiches, with Homemade bacon!!!! freakin spicy though, I bit into a whole chili. lots of choices. Their small plates are amazing!! Awesome baby back ribs and grilled mackerel. such a cool place. I loved their drink list. It does get very busy so try to go a little early.

• Pros: tasty food, very friendly staff, and great music selection
• Cons: all the way in the lower east side!!! come up town please

08/13/08

Great place to go with a group!

by led1333

Kampuchea is a great place to relax with friends and share the many spectacular dishes on the menu. The service and ambiance are as good as the food. The soups are delicious and filling, and could certainly be split between two people. Along with a great wine list they also have several tasty cocktails to choose from, I recommend the Coconut Mojito, you will not be disappointed!!!

• Pros: good service, excellent food, great place for a group

08/11/08

Give it a shot & it'll become your new favorite neighborhood spot!

by Sarah3181

There is nothing like this small bustling Cambodian Noodle bar in lower Manhattan. Located on a quiet street corner, this place is one of a kind. I have never regretted a dinner at Kampuchea. I am constantly trying new dishes and they are ALL excellent. Their staple dish are the soups, large enough to be shared by two, are a great value. The sandwich tasting platter is an excellent way to try all the yummy offerings without full commitment to any one type -- also a good value for sharing. This restaurant attracts foodies and hipsters -- all looking for a fun spot to start or end their evening. Excellent place for a group. Get a whole bunch of items & share. The head chef DJs from the front of the room and the music is sure to put you in a good mood.