KAIFUN: cool hangout spot

Hi All,

I’m back from my hiatus! Please look forward to more reviews - no matter how sporadic they’ll may be. I have soooo much to update like places to go, where to sleep and things to eat in Hong Kong and Korea bbbuuuuuuuuttttttttt I’ve honestly been a bum. #sloth #deadlysin

Overthinking as to how much should I really eat???

I tried out newly minted KAIFUN in Phnom Penh. It’s located in BKK1 near Burger King. KAIFUN calls themselves “a casual eatery of small plates ranging from tacos, pizza, burgers, curry rices, kimchi to BBQ beef.” I agree with their statement. They had small plates of food where it’s kinda wanna-be tapas but they’re not Spanish so they can’t be called tapas sort of place.

A/C cottage that seats about 20 

Street parking is limited. Spaces for motos are plenty. Wide open courtyard in the front reminisce American’s summer days where you relax to a BBQ. A bbq cart, antique VW minivan for cooking, and a fire pit for pizza. Back lot is the small shop for probably 20 people. Really felt like I was at a friend’s countryhouse.

VW minibus serving up $1.50 delicacies.

The owner didn’t interact with me as he attempt to make his first paella. From the oohs and ahhs of the big party, you’d think it was spectacular. However, I’ve been to Barcelona, Spain and that’s not a paella. No, no, no.

Loved the atmosphere. It’s a cozy warmth feeling where you can chitchat with your friends and enjoy the night. Light snacks with one or two cocktails = PLEASANT evening. I went on a weekday so don’t know the weekend crowd. Presumably the same unpretentious vibe.  

peekaboo boo

What’s enticing is the big signs and simple menu that states practically EVERYTHING is $1.50. But when you start ordering a lot, those $1.50 plates add up. Especially if you add drinks. 

Let’s countdown to my favorite from KAIFUN:

#5 Coconut Salad: it sounds more exotic than the actual taste. It’s package cutely. A handful of sald is placed in a hard-shell cracker. I’m not sure where the coconut was, maybe it was suppose to be toasted coconut topping. The coconut was underwhelmed by the strong dressing.

beautiful but not lasting

#4 Clams: from an accountant’s point of view, 100g of these white claims for $1,50 is overpriced what’s selling at the local market. However, because it’s in a resturant, it’s a great deal. I think it’s cheaper than Lobster Bay prices. I also realised that these imported clams are becoming popular in Cambodia.

satisfying clams

#3 Mini Burger: it’s a mini burger and tastes what a burger is suppose to taste like. I actually assumed it was a beef burger - because most burgers are beef UNLESS specified otherwise. Think again my friends. Middle of the line, safe bet.

mini chicken burger

#2 Cuban Sandwich: I was probably expecting too much because I was thinking of Portos (SoCal love) and the cuban resturant where I use to live. I was disappointed because this was not the Cubana I was eagerly waiting for. Maybe I was wrong to judge. It said Cuban not Cubana. But still, where are my plaintain bananas? I do love the cheese in this sandwich but would love it more if it had more meat.

Cuban or Cubana: is there a difference?

#1 Hawaiian Pizza: My favorite for the night. It was just so small and CUTE. I may be bias because of my penchant for pizza though. Carbs (dough), Diary (cheese), little bit of Meat (ham) and a touch of Fruit (pineapple). Almost a homerun if they added some sort of veggie on it. But seriously, why would you want to add veggies to my hawaiian pizza? 4 out of 5 ain’t bad my friend. 

pizza!

Bonus Drink: Passionfruit tea. This was probably the best I’ve ever had. If they added liquor in, it would be the best passionfruit mojito in the world. Lots of passionfruit pulp and mint. [I forgot to take a picture because it was PHAT good]

Maybe KAIFUN does have something going on. It’s cheap so you can share and enjoy a variety of items from the menu. It’s bite-size so you get just a taste. Everything’s better when you’ve only had a little. Enjoy the weekends~

My take: try it once or twice to feel like you’re not in Phnom Penh; not on my list to be my fave hangout spot.

https://www.facebook.com/KaifunCambodia/?fref=ts

Address: Street 334, No.25, BKK I, Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Phnom Penh, Cambodia 12302

Specs: delivery available, open until 9pm for lunch and dinner, cash only

Let me know your thoughts. Shout it out in the comments below.

Thanks for reading.

XoXo V

* Sunny Up with V *

If you would like me to visit your place, let me know! I’m more than happy to check out and eat your delicious food =)

See you next time!

Yi-Sang: best dim sum in Cambodia

Hi All,

I’m allergic to seafood. But yet, I still LOVE DIM SUM <3

I love waking up on a Saturday (or Sunday) to eat dim sum with the family. Even when others mockingly joke that all I stuff my face with is char siu pork buns – I still can’t deny my infatuation with dim sum. Char Siu/Shou Ya anything is delicious. Because of my infinite love for dim sum, I had to make sure Cambodia had a place that I can wolf down buns.

I’ve tried many places in Phnom Penh (and Siem Reap, but really Siem Reap is so limited in Chinese food) and felt SO-SO until I’ve encountered Yi-Sang. I was initially drawn to Yi-Sang because the owner, Mr Luu Meng, was featured on Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern and Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations. I was really proud that people were watching Andrew and Anthony’s show to discover Cambodia’s unique food culture. Note: Yi-Sang is not bizarre or dangerous.

People always feel sorry for Cambodia. Most perceive Cambodia as this ‘po lil country’. Well, shocker, we get along pretty well here. There’s an abundance of cuisines available – from street food to fancy shmancy I’m still starved after I eat this beautiful creation – to occasionally Michelin star chef food tours.

Today I want to share my favorite dim sum place. It’s not really a surprise and it’s a favorite for many locals.

I have high standards for dim sum coming from Cali. Is this comparable to Monterey Park, San Gabriel, Garden Grove, CA dim sum joints….YES!

Yi-Sang has many locations. My favorite is on Sotheros Street @ Almond Hotel. It’s near Aeon Mall and Koh Pich so it’s easy to get around. It’s also nostalgic for me because Almond Hotel was the first place I stayed at when I decided to settle down in Phnom Penh.

The staff are friendly and very attentive. I can never find fault in their service. It’s one of the main reasons why I continue to come back. There are private rooms available to accommodate large groups.

You can have breakfast, lunch, or dinner here and it’s still superb. Duck, shrimp, fried noodles, noodle soup, stir-fried vegetables, crab, etc…all delicious!

I can’t share you the countless times I’ve been there (because I would eat everything before snapping a photo). I’ll share my most recent visit (but towards the end I forgot to take photos as I put them in my mouth).

TOTALLY RECOMMEND!

 

Buns, buns, buns galore! BBQ pork steamed pork buns and sweet egg custard buns. Highly recommend both for a savoury and sweet delight. Trust me about the BBQ pork buns. I’m a leading expert on this.

Details of BBQ pork bun. See what I mean?!?!?

 

 Chicken feet – standard dim sum item that’s at every table. I personally don’t like the texture of giggling fat/skin in my mouth, so, I don’t eat chicken feet. But, I like to taste the sauce it’s branded in. This was quite good today. Perhaps the second best I’ve had.

Shrimp dumpling/Har Gow – didn’t taste it as I’m allergic to seafood. But it does look appitizing with a huge shrimp inside. Basically, a steamed shrimp ball wrapped delicately.

 

BBQ pork steamed roll – because who doesn’t like more bbq pork in their meal? I like to have mines swimming in the sweet soy sauce.

And finally, a concluding photo of my love <3 <3 <3

My take: completing satisfying meal any time of the day.

Links you can enjoy :)

Almond Hotel - Yi-Sang Restaurant

Almond Hotel FB's page

Let me know your thoughts. Shout it out in the comments below.

Thanks for reading.

 XoXo V

* Sunny Up with V *

P.S. Sorry about formatting. I'm still new to this. I think this post is starting to look a lot better though.

If you would like me to visit your place, let me know! I’m more than happy to check out and eat your delicious food =)