Organization
Angkor Chef
Angkor Chef is a Cambodian restaurant in downtown San Jose, California, opened in 2023 by the chef Channy Laux.[1] Cambodian family recipes inspired the restaurant. Its story was featured on the Food Network program Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives with Guy Fieri.[2]
History
Laux was thirteen when the Khmer Rouge took power in 1975. Through the four years that followed she endured starvation, terrible working conditions, sickness and repeated separation from her family, and in June 1979 she arrived in Lincoln, Nebraska, as a refugee.[1] She earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Nebraska and a master's degree in applied mathematics from Santa Clara University.[3] Laux also founded Angkor Cambodian Food, which makes Southeast Asian ingredients and won a sofi Award.[3] In 2017 she published a memoir, Short Hair Detention, which won the Best Indie Book Award and a Nebraska Book Award.[1] Before opening Angkor Chef in 2023, she cooked for pop-ups, weddings and meals in people's homes.[3] In 2024 U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services named her an Outstanding American by Choice. She also speaks about the Cambodian genocide for groups that include the Cambodian Genocide Resource Center.[1] Laux said the Food Network feature would help her "share the rich, vibrant culture of Cambodia through my personal journey."[2]
Food
The menu centers on Cambodian noodles, stir-fries and prahok (fermented fish) dishes, with vegan and vegetarian options.[1] Every sauce is made from scratch. Produce and herbs come from local refugee farmers, and spices are imported from Cambodia.[1] Laux cooks with rare ingredients and her own lemongrass paste.[4][5] Its amok is a catfish curry steamed in banana leaves.[3] The restaurant calls it Cambodia's national dish.[6] Its Nom Banch Chok, a village rice noodle soup, is served in a Khmer broth of finger root, kroeung, coconut milk, prahok and catfish, with fresh vegetables. It has offered seasonal specials, such as roast duck curry noodles for Mother's Day, and party trays.[6]
The menu also includes somlaw machu kroeung, a tangy vegetable soup, and Angkor noodles with pork belly.[3]
Community
As of February 2025, Laux planned to host events and Cambodian artists' work at the restaurant.[3]
Visiting
Public parking is available in the Third Street and Third and Santa Clara (The Globe) garages.[3] Light rail runs along First Street.[7]
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Angkor Chef, About Angkor Chef
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Angkor Chef, Events and catering
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 San Jose Downtown Association, A Taste of Resilience: How Angkor Chef is Redefining Cambodian Cuisine in San Jose (February 2025)
- ↑ Angkor Chef, Instagram
- ↑ Visit San Jose, Angkor Chef
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Angkor Chef, Facebook
- ↑ Atly, Angkor Chef in San Jose