PLANNING a trip to Phnom Penh, but worried about what to eat?
Well, Malaysian kopitiam franchise PappaRich has opened its first outlet in the capital’s Tuol Kork district – so you can head there, if in doubt.
Bringing the best of Malaysia to Cambodia, the restaurant serves all the gastronomic must-haves: teh tarik, chicken rice, hokkien noodles, ABC and more.
Taking the spotlight, however, is nasi lemak, which is served at any time of day.
“Our customers here keep coming back to savour the dish as they love the creamy texture and the fragrance of the rice,” said the restaurant’s general manager, Moeun Bunlong.
Those with room in their stomachs for other items on the menu can partake in coconut milk rice served with fried chicken, curry chicken or rendang; and char kuay teow.
“Here, we serve quite an extensive halal menu. For those who think that Malaysian dishes are too spicy, we serve a wide range of mild food,” Bunlong said.
Another star of the menu is Sarawak pepper chicken soup, which attracts Cambodian diners who famously enjoy Kampot pepper in their dishes.
Bunlong said some spices and ingredients used by the outlet are imported to ensure that the dishes taste authentic.
“Food is prepared and cooked by our Cambodian chefs who have several years of experience working in hotel kitchens.
“They had to go through one-month’s training in Malaysia, and another month’s training with a Malaysian chef in Cambodia, before they could join the kitchen,” he said.
Following a strict halal code, the restaurant does not serve pork or alcohol; while all meat served is supplied by a local Muslim butcher.
PappaRich is located at Street 315, Tuol Kork, Phnom Penh; and is open from 11am to 10pm daily.