Region: Northeastern Cambodia> Province: Kompong Cham> Location: Kompong Cham

Kompong Cham

For a town this size, Kompong Cham has a reasonable selection of restaurants. If none of the following suffice, try around the bridge traffic circle, where there's a bunch of other Khmer restaurants we didn't get around to trying.

Mekong Crossing - Certainly worth dropping by
12 Pasteur Street - Kompong Cham
Tel: (012) 432 427;

Run by Pennsylvania Joe and his wife "as a hobby", Mekong Crossing is the only western-run bar and restaurant in Kompong Cham. They do good Khmer and western food and the portions are generous. Traveller information adorns the walls and the menu contains handy information on the surrounds that guidebooks lack -- if you really want to explore Kompong Cham, the Mekong Crossing should be your first stop. Joe teaches during the day so you'll most likely run across him in the evenings -- he is a great source of information, a fine host and has a relaxing selection of music. Recommended.
Type of Food: International / Khmer /

Riverside Beers - The spot to relax
Sihanouk Rd (Riverside) - Kompong Cham

In the late afternoon and evening a few beer (and, oddly, canned lychee juice) stalls set up opposite the Mekong Hotel under the shade of the massive trees that line the river here, making a fine place to relax and perhaps plan your next day with any one of the many moto-dops who will come and chat away -- the standard of spoken English in Kompong Cham is amazing. Beers are rock-bottom 2,000 riel for a can and the beer nuts are free. We preferred Kim's stand towards the northern end of the strip. They'll stay open as late as you want to buy beer. This is a fine spot to watch the moon rise on a clear night.
Type of Food: Khmer /

Spien Thmei Restaurant - Bizarre menu, remains tasty
Sihanouk Road (Riverside) - Kompong Cham

Just down from the Mekong Hotel, Spien Thmei Restaurant (New Bridge Restaurant) does Khmer and Asian standards. It's a large, fairly sterile spot with massive round tables, an English menu and some river views. The menu items often bear little resemblance to the food, for example, beef with noodles and lettuce has no lettuce but lots of vegetables, while beef with noodles and salad has no beef but vegetables. Nevertheless the food is quite good.
Type of Food: Khmer /

Two Dragons - Good food, cheery spot
Near the bridge traffic circle - Kompong Cham

Two Dragons was going through refurbishment when we visited, but the food remains good. Their unusual interpretation of Fish Amok was excellent and an eggplant dish they do was also certainly worth trying. While they didn't appear to have a menu the very friendly staff spoke some English -- eg Amok and eggplant, while the owner speaks fine English. Worth a try if you want Khmer food in a comfortable setting.
Type of Food: Khmer /