Gamboge LA
Gamboge LA was a Cambodian deli, cafe and market in Lincoln Heights, Los Angeles, opened in August 2020 by Hak Lonh and Jane Oh.[1][2][3] The restaurant closed on February 19, 2022.[3]
History
Chef Hak Lonh and Jane Oh chose Lincoln Heights rather than Long Beach for Gamboge, at the corner of North Broadway and South Avenue 19.[4] They had spent two years preparing to open when the COVID-19 pandemic changed the way restaurants could operate. Their short menu emphasized dishes that could be prepared quickly for takeout, with plans to introduce more elaborate Cambodian cooking.[1]
In January 2021, orders were taken outside in the passage to the back patio, which was then closed for dining.[4] The patio was also used for outdoor meals, with sun canopies, potted plants and a wooden fence around its edges.[5]
In February 2022, Lonh and Oh announced the restaurant's closure and thanked the diners who had supported their Cambodian cooking.[3]
Food
Gamboge made its dishes to order.[4] Its num pang sandwiches used crunchy bolillo rolls from a local Mexican bakery. Fillings included grilled pork shoulder marinated in five-spice and a house lemongrass and chili paste, with pâté, Maggi mayonnaise, chili jam and pickled papaya and carrot slaw. Other versions used poached chicken or grilled oyster mushrooms.[5][4]
The grilled lemongrass beef sandwich held beef skewers, chili jam, cucumber, kroeung, Maggi mayonnaise and papaya slaw. Its kroeung paste combined lemongrass, ginger, turmeric and other herbs and spices.[4] Beef skewers also came with pickled vegetables and rice, a combination eaten for breakfast in Cambodia. The menu included grilled beef short ribs.[4][6]
Nerom sach moan, a Khmer chicken salad, brought together pulled poached chicken, cabbage, carrot, red pepper, mint, basil, cilantro, fried shallots and toasted peanuts in a spicy fish sauce and citrus dressing.[5] Braised tomatoes with sardines came with a crusty baguette.[5][7]
Grilled corn brushed with coconut glaze drew inspiration from the elote sold by nearby street vendors. Khmer cold brew coffee was also served.[4][2]
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 ABC7, Cambodian inspired restaurant opens in Lincoln Park (December 2020)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Los Angeles Times, food newsfeed (August 2020)
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Eater Los Angeles, Cambodian Restaurant Gamboge Closes This Weekend in Lincoln Heights (February 18, 2022)
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 Discovering LA, Gamboge: Bold Cambodian Flavors in East LA (January 11, 2021)
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 The Infatuation, Gamboge review
- ↑ The Infatuation, 33 LA Restaurants To Help You Avoid Delivery Deja Vu
- ↑ The Infatuation, Where To Eat & Drink If You Forgot How To Socialize