Phnom Penh Restaurant

"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."

"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."

"Phnom Penh is popular for a reason — people start lining up at least 15 minutes before opening. We ordered the signature butter beef and the famous fried chicken wings. The butter beef was outstanding: very thin slices of raw beef topped with a tangy‑sweet sauce that complemented the meat perfectly. No chewiness, no gaminess — just a delicious, balanced flavor. The chicken wings were another highlight. Garlic‑fried, crispy on the outside, moist on the inside, and incredibly flavorful. We also tried the oyster pancake. The batter was thin and tasty, pairing nicely with the oysters. I just wish there were a few more oysters, but overall it was still a delicious dish. The beef luc lac (shaking beef) with rice was tender and flavorful — a solid dish on its own — though compared to the standout items we ordered, it wasn’t as memorable."

"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."