Re-visiting Stunning Cambodia's Kitchen in Melbourne CBD
Cambodia's Kitchen is a joyful and souldful dining experience in the Melbourne CBD, stamped with love and authenticity. We were invited to experience this gem of a restaurant. With few Cambodian restaurants to be found in Melbourne (and prior to this opening zero in the CBD) brother and sister duo Ivanra and Linna Hun are on a mission to put Cambodian cuisine on the map; introducing a new world of flavours to Melburnians who are familiar with bánh mì, phở, laksa and pad Thai but lack knowledge in humble Cambodian staples. We visited last year when it first opened and can report Cambodia's Kitchen is going strong, and has become a popular and unique restaurant in Russell St.
Fresh sugar cane.
Noodle soups excel.
Cambodian feast.
Situated at 175 Russell Street, Cambodia’s Kitchen is the first Cambodian restaurant in the CBD and offers a world of distinct dishes steeped in traditional flavour and flair, straight from the Hun family recipe book. A self-taught chef, Linna heads up the kitchen with knowledge handed down from her mother and grandmother. We rate her as an accomplished chef, with the dishes showing bold flavours and are generous in price and portion.
Offering an authentic gastronomic exploration of one of the world’s most unsung cuisines, Cambodia’s Kitchen pays homage to family recipes, traditional flavours and cooking techniques. Unlike neighbours Thailand and Vietnam, Cambodian food is subtle with spice but bold in sturdy garlic, lemongrass, lime leaf and galangal flavours, that Ivanra and Linna source from local suppliers, as well as a few hard-to-find items direct from Cambodia.
Chive cakes are a delight in terms of both taste and texture.
Skewer goals.
Customers can expect an array of local staples including stewed beef noodle soups, Cambodian-style friend pork or chicken on rice or a must-try Signature Cambodian noodle soup featuring a fragrant clear pork bone broth, topped with fresh rice noodles and toppings, served exactly as you’d find it in the streets and home of Phnom Penh.