Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh has been run by the same family in Chinatown since 1985, and the wood wainscoting installed by the founding father is still on the walls. It is known for queues that form soon after opening. It serves Cambodian and Vietnamese food, and its long menu lists close to 100 rice, noodle and soup dishes. The Michelin Guide awarded it a Bib Gourmand in the 2026 Canada edition, its category for good-quality cooking at good value.

The story behind it is one of resilience. The family's grandfather was a chef in Phnom Penh, Cambodia; in the 1970s the family fled the Khmer Rouge to Vietnam and arrived in Vancouver in December 1979. After running a small noodle shop nearby in the early 1980s, the parents built Phnom Penh in a former coffee bar. A second branch on Broadway closed when its lease ended, and the family chose to keep a single restaurant so that relatives could work together. Family members still roll the spring rolls by hand and cook in the kitchen, and orders still go to the kitchen on paper tickets.

The fried chicken wings are the dish most people come for. They are golden-fried and tossed in salt, pepper and sugar, and they are the dish to order first. The Michelin Guide also highlights beef luc lac served with a fried egg, and dish number 71 on the menu, the marinated butter beef, thin slices of nearly raw beef dressed in a tangy mix of puréed pineapple and fish sauce. Other dishes include deep-fried frogs' legs, salt and chilli crab, grilled lemongrass chicken legs and a section of 19 Cambodian-style noodle dishes. With so many choices, it is worth coming with a group so you can share several plates, from noodle soups to rice dishes.

The restaurant is straightforward and practical. Lines form soon after opening, so be prepared to wait for a table, or arrive early. The Georgia Straight has reported waits of up to about 90 minutes. Reservations are mainly for larger groups and can be made through OpenTable. The room is air-conditioned and credit cards are accepted; pets are not allowed.

Phnom Penh suits budget-conscious travellers, families and anyone who wants a filling, inexpensive meal in Chinatown. Check current opening hours before you go, as the restaurant opens at 11am for lunch and closes in the evening, with one closing day in the week.

The restaurant is on East Georgia Street in Chinatown, the same neighbourhood as the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden and Kissa Tanto, so a meal here pairs naturally with an afternoon exploring Chinatown on foot.