One More Restaurant: delicious Cambodian and Thai food

Hi All,

It’s almost Khmer New Year! 

It’s one of the few times in the year that people spend with their family. Enjoying festivities and food, it’s always a great way to pass the time. Cambodian (as well as Thai and other neighboring countries) new year coincide with the harvest season (agriculture). We don’t follow Western January 1^st new year, but I still do countdown here. I’m not going to explain what Khmer New Year is, so you can refer to wiki for more information (KNY). 

So this is a perfect time for you try out One More Restaurant if you’re staying in Phnom Penh for the holidays. Then again, it’s so affordable, you can come any time. I went on a Sunday evening.

As saying goes “don’t judge a book by it covers”, I really try hard to keep an impartial mind to everything. But it’s human nature to be bias sometimes – whether dealing with race, gender, culture, social, etc. And looks can be quiet deceiving in Phnom Penh.

It’s a really beautiful building. I drove by once or twice but was intimidated because I thought it was a fancy coffee shop or expensive restaurant. Also, I couldn’t read the name since it was in Khmer. On Sunday, I finally stopped and asked the security what kind of place it was. He recommended me to try so I took his advice.

I’m glad I did. It’s really tasty. Price point = within range with other restaurants [green means go go go!]

Pros:

+ Nice setting, can even be romantic. Private rooms available on second floor for parties or large gatherings.

+ Food and services are excellent. However, they need more wait staff.

+ Parking

+ Close to home and no need to travel far.

Ambiance: Great, I have no complaints. Plating, tables, even down to the little box which the receipt came in are made from wood or palm.

Service: Traditional clothing and attentive staff. The night I went they were short-handed but it may be due to the holidays.

Taste: Loved the taste. Solid Cambodian and Thai flavors.

Menu: extensive! In fact, I felt overwhelm with the number of dishes they had. It feels too much, especially not all of them had pictures.

Parking: No issue.

Pro Tip: PpppSsssTttt If you bring more people, you can try more dishes. We ordered 3 dishes for 2, and that was toooo much. I really want to try more dishes next time.

What I enjoyed:

• FREE appetizer: clams

Nothing to complain since it’s free =)

• Stir-fried chicken with cashew $5.50

A good portion of stir-fried sweet and sour chicken with cashews, bell peppers and onions. The chicken was sort-of deep fried and the chicken meat so little. It’s an average dish that plays safe. If you want to play safe.

• Deep fried fish cake $6.90

6 mini patties of fish cake that’s handmade. I thought it was a bit chewy but I still enjoyed it.

• “Kor Koo” fish soup with assorted vegetables $6.50

This is an authentic Cambodian soup that’s loaded with a ton of vegetables (green leafy veggies) and prohok. Prohok is made from fermented fish. It’s a very healthy dish. We had the small size but four servings and still flowing. Recommended Cambodian dish for anyone to try.

• Dessert: sticky rice with durian $2.50 (not pictured)

At first I thought it was too expensive compared to other desserts. But, it had a lot of durian so well worth the price. Not overly sweet and quite indulgent.  

Don’t forget the 10% tax on your bill!

BTW, doesn't my photos look awesome?!? This is with my iPhone and food photos are getting better than before. I took them myself =) 

My take: great food, great setting, great place to go often.

FB: https://www.facebook.com/onemorerestaurant/

website: http://onemorerestaurant.com/en_US/

Address: #37, Street 315, Sangkat Beoung Kak 1, Khan Toul Kork, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Specs: fancy place but affordable cuisine

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 =)

Present Absence: The Unforgettable Legacies @Bophana Center

Hi All,

V at the exhibit

 If I wasn’t doing what I’m doing right now, I would have been an anthropologist. That’s a far cry from what I’m doing now; think, finances. Can you imagine me digging and sweating? I quickly realised that my shallow self wouldn’t handle that.

I love the arts! I love historic events, learning about ancient civilizations and cultures, beliefs, tall tales, fables and fairy tales, sculptures, architecture, etc. I really love architecture/interior designs and statues/sculptures. I can enjoy paintings too…but to a lesser degree. Photography is new to me. And I’m learning to appreciate that more too.  

That’s why when I travel I have to hit cultural and historical tourist points à museums.

It’s a wonder that I’m not very artsy in Cambodia. I don’t attend any functions or gatherings. However, last week, I finally went to an art exhibit’s opening. I wanted to publish this article sooner but I got sidelined. But as the world focus on Angelina Jolie’s First They Killed My Father – an autobiography turned into film for Netflix, I think this post is still fitting. UPDATE: I just saw the premiere in Phnom Penh and can't wait to link you guys to that later.

Present Absence: The Unforgettable Legac(ies) [Khmer title: Sramorl Antoul Tam Brann: Soobin Del Minn-archh Bumpleach Ban. V’s translation: Shadows from the body: dreams that can’t be forgotten]

Art exhibition featuring Leang Seckon, Mak Remissa and Sou Sophy

Location: Bophana Center

The artists

The art exhibit focused on Khmer Rouge/Pol Pot. If you don’t know what that is, look it up on Wikipedia.

Artists:

• Mak Remissa: Left 3 days series

16 photos compilation using handmade paper cut-outs and smoky background evoking imageries of the fall of Phnom Penh in 1975 when Khmer Rouge took over the capital. Left 3 days refers to the Khmer Rouge’s demand for people to empty the city into countryside life while they “clean” up the capital so they can return. Promises were made for equality under communism, but in the end, it was a masked for the four years monstrosity.  

I really enjoyed his photo compilation because it was so unique. Showing that 2D paper can still depict emotions, you get a sense on how everything was hazy and hot while people travelled by foot – carrying their precious few belongings for many miles.

Biography:

Born in Phnom Penh in 1970, a survivor of the Khmer Rouge regime. Currently a photojournalist for the European Pressphoto Agency. One of the most successful Khmer photographers; 1^st and 3^rd place in 1997 National Photojournalism competition hosted by FCC, showcased his art in many exhibits, and recent work part of the Singapore Art Museum’s permanent collection.

• Leang Seckon: Influence: The New Ages

An awesome usage of mixed media on canvas. His depiction of the new age resonates deeply with me. The gaunt in the monk’s face and haunting eyes followed me as I took steps backwards to absorb the whole picture. Or what if this is Buddha? And how the war really hit at religion and Buddha secretly suffered and was in pain while so many people died.

I really liked how he used different types of textures, textiles and color on the convas. Note how the soldier has a pineapple head? Pineapples are known to have “eyes” and I feel it’s to mean that no matter what anyone did, the soldiers knew all. Kind of like the evil eye in LOTR.

Biography:

Born in Prey Veng in the early 1970s, a survivor of the Khmer Rouge regime. He has exhibited numerous solo shows around the world; participated in the 2012 Shanghai Biennale, awarded a medal from Queen Norodom Monineath in 2014, residency at the Bronx Museum of the Arts in New York in 2013, and selected for the 8^th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art in Brisbane in 2015.

• Sou Sophy: Black Rain

Using only blank ink and pencil, Sophy’s artwork was a metaphor for the cruelty, injustice and traumatic experiences from the genocide. Innocence and chaos, like yin and yang, engulf together. Destroying innocent children through starvation was normal during the Khmer Rouge regime. However, Sophy notes that Cambodia still has a black cloud hanging over our heads. We believe the worst has passed, but has re-emerged in contemporary Cambodia.

I wish I could do that with just a pencil. She’s so talented. It’s so lifelike and I can really imagine how kids suffered as they had no food or water (that’s why they have bloated bellies).

Biography:

Born in Battambang province in 1988 after the genocide. A teacher at Battambang University, she has exhibited in several shows including winning 1^st award for graphic design illustrators and the Blooming 2^nd Award Design contest.

* * *

More on Bophana Center

Bophana Center is co-founded by Cambodian filmmakers Rithy Panh and Ieu Pannakar. The Bophana Center collections images and sound archives related to Cambodia providing to the general public for free. A great place to learn about Cambodia’s unique heritage. They also train young Cambodians in cinema, audio-visual and new media.

They have over 2,400 films that you can explore for free.

My take: learn more about Cambodian culture for free

FB: https://www.facebook.com/bophanacenter.cambodia/?fref=ts

Website: www.bophana.org

Address: #64, Oknha Men Street (St 200), Phnom Penh, Cambodia (nearest cross street is Monivong Blvd)

Specs: 8am-6pm

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 =)

Bloom Cafe: artisan cupcakes bliss

Hi All,

one of my fave places for snacks

It’s Hump Day ~ middle of the week. Just a few more days and it’s the weekends again. What’s special about this weekend is that it’s Chinese New Year/Vietnamese Tet; so many people will be celebrating with family, food, and fun trips! Why not enjoy some cupcakes during this special festivity?

I loooooovveeeee L-O-V-E cupcakes. Bloom Café has been one of my favorite spots to enjoy beautiful and delicious cupcakes. I think I’ve tried almost every flavor. But I try to limit myself to 3 each time. Especially since there’s a discount when you buy 3.

Their cupcakes are whimsical and enchanting. It’s so pure. I can sit a while just gazing at them. But in the end, I must eat the sugary treat because that’s why I bought them. Day old cupcake isn’t tempting to eat – not like enjoyable day old pizza.

selfie with my nom nom

Bloom’s cakes are also sweet to look at. However, I didn’t like to order cakes here because of their cake to icing ratio (too much fondant/icing/lard. I’m a fan of fresh cream more. I wouldn’t suggest buying a cake except for the aesthetic. I had one on my birthday 2 years back and regret having to eat the whole thing myself. I think cupcake is a better bet.

Variety. The little creations.

Different flavors ranging from tart (like passion, lemon, raspberry, etc.), sweet (coconut, vanilla, cheesecake), and chocolatly (who can resist Mr Ganache?) base. The cream on top compliments the cupcake base and will vary. A cute fondant pendant or trinket to top it off.

The extra icing on top is that you can enjoy the cupcakes in two major cities: Phnom Penh (under Bloom Café Phnom Penh) and Siem Reap (under Blossoms Café but now rebranded as Bloom Café Siem Reap). I’ve only been to the Phnom Penh branch.

Self-described "designer cupcake and the best fair trade coffee in stylish café". Have the strong, vibrant taste of coffee to cut the sweet cupcakes. However, being adverse to coffee, I just enjoy their free water.

will.devour.every.crumb.

Let me share you the latest cupcakes I ate. But feel free to enjoy more...with over 48 kind rotated + flavs of the month, how can you pick just one? Seriously, I'm asking you how can you pick one?!?! You may say you've good willpower and resistance...but why would you want to resist CUPCAKE? It's a cupcake ware and I proudly announce I will always lose to its glorious cause.

Space: Reasonable. I love the seating. I also love the interior décor (I’m partial to their blue as I also have that Italian aqua blue).

Atmosphere: Cutie patootie.

entering the zone

Taste: You know I’m a fan of fancy and pretty. The icing is dense because it’s in the fridge. Cake uses lots of fondant/icing but not fresh cream. If that’s not your thing, then wouldn’t be recommended.

Parking: Street parking. It’s a villa turned into bakery/café. Should be easier to park than most places in PP.

Loved: That it’s a not for profit organisation that provides vocational training and employment opportunities for Cambodian women. Girl Power! I love how it makes women feel empowered and able to take charge of their life; pay their bills; and run the world [via Beyonce]. I really do hope that they get compensated well as the cakes are a bit pricey – but totally understandable since it’s hand-drawn.

divinely creations! 

Enjoyed:

At $4.85 for 3; $1.65 each (so I saved 10 cents. I thought I was saving a lot more). 

getting a trio is always good

• Coconut kiss

 Kissed lightly by dried coconut zest, it was a coconut cupcake with chocolate cream cheese icing topped off. The chocolate was rich and it's a standard coconut cupcake. I think I want a bit more coconut flakes in the batter.

• Pineapple coconut cupcake

I got this because the ingredients gave me a tropical feeling. I imagined being on a deserted island (but wouldn’t it be more fantastic if it was a dessert island?!?) and enjoying this cupcake. I enjoyed the tartly release from the too sweet icings. It's a vanilla cupcake with fresh pineapple filling and coconut cream cheese icing.

• Jam donut cupcake

Too cute to pass on. It was a cinnamon sugared cupcake with a dollop of strawberry jam in the middle. After taking a bite, I wondered WHY I got this since I could eat a donut at Krispy Kreme.

can't blog before taking some photos

Other flavors I like: mint, chocolate, cheesecake, tart and citrus, etc.

My take: want to be blissfully happy? Come have some cupcakes.

PP:

facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bloom.Cafe/

website: http://www.bloomcreations.org/ (not working at time of posting)

address: #40 Street 222 (in between Street 63 and Street 55)

SR:

facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BloomCafeSiemReap/

website: http://www.blossomcakes.org/ 

address: one street from Pub Street, behind Siem Reap Hospital

Specs: Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm (that's super hard to enjoy). Can't enjoy the cafe after work =( better to order to-go during lunch time or go on a Saturday. The business hours are not friendly towards employees like myself because of the hours - especially in the food/catering business. But I understand how they want their staff to enjoy evenings and weekends with their families too. 

Thank you for the support! Please follow me 0=)

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 =)

One Dim Sum (Hong Kong): making the average dim sum taste better

Hi All,

Happy Holidays!

It’s been awhile since my last post. Whirlwind experiences through Korea and Thailand lately that I’ll have to update soon – once I figure how to get the pictures out of my phone.

HK, Hong Kong, 香港

Meanwhile, I want to share a nice dim sum place in Hong Kong. While in the mist of working hard for the money, I went to de-stress myself by watching some vids on YouTube. I somehow came across someone eating dim sum in Hong Kong. It made my mouth water like a chocolate fountain. I couldn’t get it out of my mind! I even tried to convince friends to go with me. But because everyone took too long to respond, I jetted to Hong Kong the weekend afterwards. Now, I really didn’t want to go to Hong Kong again but BBQ pork buns were calling me out.

All aboard!

You’ve seen my older post and my infinite love for dim sum (besides dessert). Today I’ll be recapping my foodie adventure at ONE DIM SUM.

everything's in a logo

To me, this is the second best dim sum I’ve ever had in Hong Kong. You shouldn’t miss it. It’s literally open all day and late night so you can have dim sum whenever you want. It’s almost like Denny’s hours.

ONE DIM SUM is an affordable 1 Michelin STAR. It’s a great way to rack up your Michelin Stars so that you can sound pompous and snobby when talking to people. Sometimes you just need to feel lavish right?!?!

Moi in front

It’s a popular joint so make sure you’re not too hungry when you arrive. I had to wait about 30 minutes to get a spot. However, if you have large party, be prepared to wait longer or should make reservations ahead of time. Another great idea is ordering “to go” and enjoy dim sum at the park.

waiting and waiting and waiting

* * *

Ambiance: small place with limited seating. Maybe fit about 25 people at most. Typical dim sum experience.

Service: Fast and efficient – the way it should be. While waiting, you can request for the menu and ordering slip. This will make it even easier when you’re sitting inside and not waste time thinking about what to eat. They also have an English Menu with pictures.

Taste: Acceptable because it’s the average dim sum made better. Nothing spectacular but worthy of enjoying.

Transportation: I took the metro. Easily accessible.  

Added bonus: You’re in MONGKOK. Plenty of things to enjoy. Shopping, Fa Yuen Street, flower market, bird market, goldfish market, etc.

almost there~

What I enjoyed:

•          Steamed minced beef ball

the F3 in this dish

Soft texture of minced beef. Flavourful, fluffy and filling. Yes, you should order it.

•         Steamed BBQ pork buns

there was only 2 =( usually there's 3

inside deliciousnss

Average BBQ pork buns. If you’re not a fan of this, you can live without it.

•          Steamed rice rolls with BBQ pork

I love it drenched in soy sauce

It tasted really fresh rice rolls. The BBQ pork wasn’t the best but I really enjoyed the texture of the rice rolls. Yes, you should order this too.

•          Beef spare ribs in pepper sauce (or something like that)

an oily hot mess that's perfect for you

This is good however a bit greasy. Wash it down with hot tea please.

•          Steamed pork and vegetables dumplings

looks perfectly cute

You have to order dumplings at a dim sum place. Since I don’t eat seafood, I got the pork and vegetables dumplings. You should get the shrimp/har gow ones.

•          Dessert: mango and coconut rolls

THE best eva - eat it!

DEFINITELY order this! Chunks of fresh mango in rice roll, rolled in coconut flakes. I really loved this the most and totally justified the price.

ADDED BONUS: stay at this hotel. I stayed here twice and found it really convenient, nice rooms, friendly staff, and a great sky bar. ROSEDALE HOTEL in KOWLOON.

Recommended stay

My take: Be the typical tourist and have dim sum. This place is in a good location with many attractions within walking distance.

Address: 15 Playing Field Road, Prince Edward, Hong Kong

Specs: open for lunch and dinner until late [like midnight late Mr/Ms Cinderella]

Directions: easy to find getting off the metro. Exit Prince Edward MTR station, exit A. Turn Right and walk about 2-3 blocks. Then turn Left on Tung Choi Street.

directions

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 =)

Until next time, adios!

airport swag

Coming soon: Seoul, Korea edition

A food blogger gotta eat to write. 

Hi guys! Stay tune for my adventures in Seoul, Korea coming soon!

De’ Bao: steamed bun sandwiches

Hi All,

Welcome to De' Bao!

TGIF. Friday night, always hot and ready for action! I’m referring to eating action [ and side action ;) ]

I pick you!

If you read through my blog, you’ll know a few of my favorite things to eat:

• Desserts – any kind, anywhere, almost any price
• Dim sum
• Italian/European/American
• Korean
• Japanese

The reason I heart dim sum is for the BAO. I love steam buns! Juicy, plump buns….guys, get your mind outa that side action gutter. I shouldn’t have mentioned that.

new Korean style cuteness

I’m all ‘bout the bao, ‘bout the bao, no pan/bread. [to the hit song All About That Bass by Meghan Trainor]

It’s all about the Bao. I can even eat plain ones as a snack. After I spotted De’ Bao on Phnom Penh’s 2016 cheap eats, I knew I had to drag someone to try it out with me.

keep smiling even on a rainy day

It was raining all afternoon, the evening I ventured to BKK1. My GPS pointed me in the right direction but I couldn’t find the De’ Bao’s sign. After doing a U-ee, I spotted a flat that looked like an eatery (and correctly guessed it to be the place). Entrepreneurs, if you want to be accessible, make sure your logo can be seen at night with BIG letters. Seriously, dark + rain + glasses = almost drove away to eat something else. Don’t lose customers this way.

my tsunami angel wings

I forewarn you, the pics on their FB page doesn’t meet my taste expectation. The drool worthy pics left my tongue wishing for more. Another table next to me left early without finish their food. After having a light snack here, I continued to Koh Pich to eat papaya salad and chicken wings.

Let’s just get to the details.

Space: Small. About 5 couple seating, one long table for about 12-14, a sofa for a few friends.

welcome~ what can i get you?

Atmosphere: Another cute shop, good photo op as you can see!

Service: Alright, but more to be desired.

Taste: I love bao. Some were hits and some were misses. See below for details. Would I come here again? Probably not.

comfy couch for relaxing time

Parking: Street parking kiddo. Prepare to bring a motorbike.

Photop: Great place for a photop. As you can see from this post, isn't it just dreamy? That evening I channeled beauty model and totally feel this is magazine spread worthy. AGREE?

too old to be a model, now a food blogger

Disturbed: Their FB page had a cured egg on the pulled pork bao but never to customers.

Enjoyed:

I decided to get the recommended box set that came with a free soda. The box set was $7 + 10% VAT. Counting down to my favorite:

served steamed and ready

• Mambo number 5: Shrimp Bao

I actually didn’t try this because I’m allergic to seafood. But it looked like a deep fried shrimp with mayonnaise in a bao.

pretending to eat the shrimp

• Number four, four, four, four: Pork Belly Bao

I also didn’t eat this because I’m not a fan of pork belly. It was a chunk of pork with sauce on top.

pork belly bao

• Lucky Number 3: Fried Chicken Bao

Fried chicken is fried chicken. It’s like any other fried chicken burger except a) smaller and b) more expensive. Middle of the line; not impressive.

crispy chicken drenched in special sauce

• Close to being the best but fell short, Number 2: Pulled Pork Bao

I really liked the tender, easy to pull apart pulled pork bao. The only qualm I have is that there’s no cured egg like the picture. Where’s my house special cured egg?!?!

pulled pork in my belly

• Best of the night, Number 1: Bao Ger

It's a mini burger. Meat was succulent, delicious sauce, and bao encompassing. Yumo.

Bao Ger with a looootttt of sauce

My take: twist on the classic bao. Try it UNO if you wanna experience it.

facebook: https://www.facebook.com/debaocambodia/

Address: #49, St 288, BKK 1, Phnom Penh, Cambodia (near Monivong Blvd’s Por Kei Chinese restaurant, same street as Champs Elysee’s KTV entrance)  

Specs: 11am to 8pm, a flat shop so be prepared to do street parking

 

follow meeeeeeee, V!

Thank you for the support! Please follow me 0=)

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 =)

menu

Bao bao bao!