Kampuchea Noodle Bar
New York, NY 10002
Phone: (212) 529-3901
- Price:
- $$
- Cross Street:
- Allen Street
- Directions:
- F at Delancey St; J, M, Z at Essex St
- Hours:
- Mon 5:30pm-12am, Tue-Sat 12pm-12am, Sun 12pm-11pm
Editorial Review for Kampuchea Noodle Bar – by Justin Hartung
The Scene
Hinged windows elegantly frame the double dates and pre-bar crowds that fill the communal tables at this corner restaurant, where East and West spar playfully. Sunset-orange paint, an intricately detailed tin ceiling and embedded columns strike Asian accents, but the international waitstaff and sporadically blaring soundtrack--everything from jazz to Led Zeppelin--reflect the immediate neighborhood's diversity.
The Food
Chef Ratha Chau seems to be following the lead of the East Village's immensely popular Momofuku noodle shop, only he's westernized Cambodian rather than Korean food. The ubiquitous Berkshire pork makes an appearance on the Kampuchea sandwich, a decadent concoction of ground meat, pate and headcheese. Lettuce leaves accompany a savory shrimp crepe for the somewhat confusing purpose of a second wrapping, while a cuttlefish salad lacks enough of the squid-like seafood. Soups, however, dazzle with differentiated flavors and unusual ingredients like rich, tender oxtail, briny jumbo prawns and tender grilled duck.
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Insider Tips
The ExtrasNo sweet stuff is available to end the meal, but you're not too far from Room 4 Dessert.
What to DrinkThe reasonably priced wine list is mostly European. The $28, slightly tart Anjou Blanc goes well with both pork and seafood.
Group DiningThe communal tables are perfect for big groups, but there are also a few four-tops and a couple of intimate bar seats.
User Reviews for Kampuchea Noodle Bar
06/18/2008 Posted by nycfashiongirl
As a total southeast asian foodie, I was excited to try out this place. Previously I'd lived in the SF bay area where cambodian restaurants are plentiful, and the savory crepes to die for. I was a bit dismayed to find the crepes on Kampuchea's menu listed for $15 when I used to tuck in delicious crepes in my old neighborhood for $5.50. Everything seemed overpriced ($15 for a sandwich?) for what appeared to be a common noodle bar. This is streetfood - and not the culinary inspiration that the Momofuku restaurants are, so they should be priced more accordingly. Try it once since clearly NY is in need of other cambodian places and this place corners the market; but I wouldn't recommend it as a good place for the value.
Pros: only place that serves good cambodian food in ny
Cons: three times more expensive than it should be
05/12/2008 Posted by nuna128th
Yes, we ordered and loved it all. Who cares what it was that I ate, I am almost positive that everything on the menu would have been just as delicious. The service was spot on, host was gracious, I am even the kind that enjoys sharing a table (lets eat together, it makes people merry!) The server was knowledgeable of the food, very attentive, and cute-that never hurts. We ordered two appetizers and two main plates (one for each) and loved every bite. Can NOT wait to go back and try more. The vibe is far from pretentious, the interior design is exposed, industrial edge, but not in an obnoxious/overdone way. Oh thank Buddha-or chef Ratha Chau in this instance-for this place. *hint* try the Coconut Tiger Shrimp! Not shy, rate this sweet spot with not one but TWO, hard, glass cutting nipples. . . .
Pros: food, service, atmosphere
Cons: . . . ah c'mon. . .there are none! hah!
