Cambodian restaurant recommendations

Submitted by StudyofMatter t3_121n5uz in LowellMA

So I am visiting town and am looking forward to try Lowell's renowned Cambodian food. I know that so many restaurants are recommended in previous threads I saw. But what I've found is that people have their preferences based on which dishes they like best.

So what Cambodian restaurants do you recommend AND what dishes do you like or think they do better than the others?

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FishermanNatural3986 t1_jdmmpkp wrote

Red Rose. Simply Khmer. Heng Lay. Sen Monorom. All good to me.

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shannon_yo t1_jdov7n2 wrote

Red Rose was recently nominated for a James Beard award! Great recommendations :)

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Engelgrafik t1_jdmr9tq wrote

Peephuptmei is my favorite right now.

They make a fish dish called "Ah-mok". It's soooo good.

For the longest time people were giving them only 3 stars but I think it's because people didn't like that the family and kids hang out there. I have no problem with this. The fact is that they make some of the best food in this town.

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crunchy_wtr t1_jdn0wfs wrote

Kao's kitchen, near plain st. A good, newly opened place. My mother used to work with the owner a few years back back at simply Khmer, and they know how to make good food. As for food, (idk how to spell it in English) but it's basically bowl noodles with beef and meatballs. Basically Cambodian style pho. They got other dishes too if you're not in the mood for noodles.

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Hemmschwelle t1_jdmhk4d wrote

The first question to answer is whether 1)you grew up in America or 2)in Cambodia (or in a first generation Cambodian family). Some dishes taste good to #1. Some dishes taste great to #2 and not to #1.

This is true for practically any ethnic cuisine. If you don't think this is true, I suggest that you try some Marmite on toast and get back to me.

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StudyofMatter OP t1_jdmj7i5 wrote

Agreed. I'm a first generation American, family came from Vietnam. I've never been to a Cambodian restaurant but, many of the dishes I see are the same. So #2.

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Hemmschwelle t1_jdmk0p8 wrote

Then you're in for a treat. I'm #1 so my recommendations will not meet your needs.

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Tedgehog87 t1_jdmpkyo wrote

I’d recommend Heng Lay! Lok Lak for #1, fried pork intestine for # 2. That’s how it works for my wife and I anyways.

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Hemmschwelle t1_jdn1fmw wrote

Based on experiences with some authentic Korean dishes, I'm reluctant to try some of the dishes that appeal to people who developed a taste for them when they were young. I want to avoid ordering something that I'm unable to eat more than one bite.

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