Organization
Khmai
Khmai is a Cambodian restaurant on North Sheridan Road in Chicago, led by executive chef Mona Sang.[1][2] It serves two kinds of meal: Kaun Khmai, an à la carte menu of share plates, and a seven-course tasting journey devoted to one Cambodian province at a time.[1] The restaurant describes itself as Chicago's first traditional Cambodian restaurant.[2]
History
Mona Sang drew on her work as a professional chef in Chicago to launch Khmai.[1] The restaurant was built as a tribute to her mother and her mother's heritage, and its name joins "Khmer" with "Mai," meaning "mother."[3] In 2022 Sang and her mother, Sarom Sieng, who helps at the restaurant, were introducing Chicago diners to Cambodian food.[4][5] The restaurant first had a permanent space at 2043 West Howard Street in Rogers Park and moved to 6580 North Sheridan Road before October 2024.[6][7]
Food
Kaun Khmai, a name that means "Children of Cambodia," is the restaurant's newest concept. It presents Cambodian food through modern techniques for a younger generation and for first-time diners, with a menu of taste, small and share bites that changes often, from grilled corn to the house eggrolls and skewers.[8]
The tasting journey travels to a new province about every month and a half, using traditional home-cooking techniques passed down through generations.[3] The restaurant calls it "the first and only authentic Cambodian tasting journey in the United States."[3] In 2026 the journey went to Ratanakiri Province in northeastern Cambodia, a region of volcanic lakes, forests and Indigenous communities, with a menu of forest herbs, fresh fish, gathered vegetables, cashews, coffee and family recipes.[1][9]
The dishes have changed over the years. In 2022 the menu included Nom Bahn Chok, vermicelli with minced tilapia marinated in kreoung and prahok and simmered in coconut fish stock; Sach Koh Ang, beef skewers marinated in lemongrass, Khmer spices and chili peppers; eggrolls filled with ground chicken, bean thread noodles and taro root; short ribs with fish sauce; and a Cambodian hot pot of vegetables, meats, seafood and rice noodles.[5][4] The expanded 2024 menu added Plear Trei, a salmon crudo with chili, lime, pickled gooseberries and kumquats; Kaw Ko, a beef stew in a tomato broth with cinnamon, star anise and galangal; Prahok Ktiss, a minced pork dip made with prahok, a fermented mudfish paste; Trei Chien, a whole snapper fried in banana flour batter; and a pumpkin custard baked in a whole acorn squash.[7] Dishes in 2026 included Amok Trei, braised salmon with coconut milk, crispy lime leaf, sautéed kutna broccoli and amok sauce; Bangkea Ampil, lemongrass shrimp in a coconut tamarind sauce with crispy taro; Ya Hon, a hot pot; and Kapi Khuor Cheng.[10]
The earlier menu changed regularly, and staff greeted guests with a Cambodian greeting.[11] At Howard Street, the kitchen served somlar machu kreoung, a tart, spicy tamarind broth with short ribs, eggplant, celery, jalapeño, lemongrass and herbs. Other dishes included vermicelli with a garlicky coconut sauce and ground chicken, served as a build-your-own bowl with vegetables, bean sprouts, chilis, squash blossom and lime.[11] The sach ko ang were beef skewers in a sweet and savory lemongrass marinade, served with rice, jrouk and tuk trei, a house-made spicy fish sauce. Eggrolls held taro, ground chicken and mung bean noodles, and chicken wings came in a sweet and tangy tamarind sauce.[11] A warm chicken salad was made with radish, bell peppers, bean sprouts, toasted rice, peanuts, chilis, lime and tuk trei. The chef sometimes brought savory crepes to the table.[11]
Community
Khmai catered an Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month event at the Chicago Cultural Center, where Mayor Brandon Johnson joked that he might need an executive order to make Cambodian food the food of Chicago.[12] The restaurant also offers catering and events on site.[9]
Press
The Infatuation included Khmai among Chicago's best new restaurants of 2024 and among its picks for special occasions.[7] Time Out Chicago and AHN Media have also written about the restaurant.[4][5]
Visiting
The tasting journey had limited seatings and took reservations only, while Kaun Khmai welcomed walk-ins.[1][12] There is a full bar, and outside alcohol is not allowed.[1] Street parking is available, and the Loyola Red Line station and the 147 bus serve the area.[2] Delivery is offered through DoorDash.[1]
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Khmai Cambodian Fine Dining, home page
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 OCA Greater Chicago, Khmai directory listing
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Khmai Cambodian Fine Dining, Tasting journey
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Time Out Chicago, Khmai
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 AHN Media, Chicago's Khmai Fine Dining: A Daughter's Tribute to Mother's Healing from Khmer Rouge (October 2022)
- ↑ The Infatuation, Khmai Cambodian Fine Dining review (Howard Street)
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 The Infatuation, Khmai is a destination for Cambodian food (October 2024)
- ↑ Khmai Cambodian Fine Dining, Kaun Khmai
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Khmai Cambodian Fine Dining, Catering and events
- ↑ TastyPals, Khmai (July 2026)
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 The Infatuation, Khmai Cambodian Fine Dining review
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Khmai, Instagram