Restaurant Cuisine Wat Damnak — Restaurant in Khan Daun Penh

In a realm of vibrant colors and bustling life, nestled in the heart of Phnom Penh is an enchanted sanctuary named C Cuisine Wat Damnak. Perched on the esteemed Street 228, this culinary haven radiates charm from the confines of a 1950s brick villa. This structure, a quintessential piece of Cambodian architecture, was designed by Mam Sophana, a local architect and has been thoughtfully refurbished by Ivan Tizianel of Asma Architects in the year of 2020.

The result is a place of serenity and elegance, brimming with an air of understated grandeur and refined simplicity.

Cuisine Wat Damnak boasts the capacity to accommodate 50 to 60 gourmands seeking an extraordinary dining experience. The restaurant offers a variety of dining options, including an open-air garden, air-conditioned indoor seating, and even an exclusive VIP room. Nestled behind the staircase, the restaurant also features a clandestine wine cellar housing the finest of the house's reserves.

The restaurant's pièce de résistance is the 6-course menu, priced at a reasonable 38 USD per person.

Curated by the culinary virtuoso, Mr. Joannès Rivière, this menu is an odyssey through the heart of Cambodian culinary flavors.

The gastronomic journey commences with a slow-cooked prawn, elegantly presented on a delicate rice wafer, topped with Chinese celery, pickled tofu, and a unique prawn shell oil mayonnaise. The dish, a harmonious blend of diverse textures and flavors, stands testament to Rivière's exceptional culinary expertise.

The culinary exploration proceeds with a green mango and ambarella leaves salad. Adorned with crispy pork belly, pandan, chili dressing, coconut cream, and deep-fried shallots, this dish offers a delightful riot of sweet and sour notes, impeccably capturing the essence of Cambodian cuisine.

Next, guests are treated to a slow-cooked beef shank, paired with mushrooms and holy basil, served alongside a toasted cashew nut and yellow bean pancake, and Chormbork seeds. This ensemble of flavors and textures is a symphony in itself, with the humble basil taking on the lead role.

Rivière’s Sanday fish sour yellow curry is a tasteful blend of tamarind shots and basil, paired with rice paddy crab broth, pumpkin fruit, stem, and flower. This dish is a delicate balance of flavors, neither overwhelming nor too simplistic, guaranteed to tantalize the palate.

The journey doesn't end there. The barbecued stuffed frog and stir-fried leg, served with smoked sweet potato purée, crushed Java feroniella, and a rice paddy herb dressing, is an adventurous exploration of flavors, showcasing Rivière's daring creativity and intimate knowledge of local produce.

The culmination of this culinary journey is the young Jackfruit sweet "lue bo gao", served with puffed rice, caramelized coconut milk sauce, and jackfruit ice cream. This dish is a harmonious fusion of sweet and savory, the perfect finale to an enchanting menu.

Mr. Joannès Rivière, the genius behind this culinary spectacle, was born and raised near Roanne, a small French town in the Loire region, renowned for its gastronomy. His early infatuation with seasonality and farm-to-table ethos, nurtured under his father's culinary guidance, and further honed in France and the US, is unmistakably evident in his masterful creations.

Cuisine Wat Damnak is not just a restaurant; it's an immersive sensory journey that leaves an indelible mark on both the palate and mind. Its enchanting blend of traditional Cambodian flavors and innovative culinary techniques, helmed by the capable hands of Rivière, makes it an unmissable culinary destination in Phnom Penh.

Thank you Joannès ! I highly...

[Updated May 2024] My 4th visit to this restaurant! =) This time, we were served by Ms Piseth. Not only did she remember us, she also remembered which table we set at the last time! I was so impressed! =) As mentioned in my previous review, they change their menu every 4 to 5 weeks. So this time, we had entirely new delicious dishes! Very impressive Kitchen indeed! =) The owner of the restaurant - Mr Chai, came over to have a little chat with us too =) He also stressed that their menu is created entirely with local ingredients. We were also informed that they had just opened a sister restaurant, called TOB, located at GIA Tower. TOB is a casual dining restaurant. Perhaps I will pay them a visit at my next visit to Phnom Penh. =) All in all, this is a restaurant in Phnom Penh that I will visit again and again and again. =) Yes, it is that good! =)

[Original post Oct 2023] Absolutely a gem! Perhaps the best Cambodian Haute Cuisine in Phnom Penh! This is my second visit to this restaurant, and got to know that they change their tasting menu every 4 to 5 weeks. This only serve tasting menus (non-vegetarian and vegetarian), but at very reasonable price. The food is simply exquisite and delicious, plus beautifully decorated. It is an absolute pleasure to dine here, with excellent service, friendly and attentive. Small but very adequate selection of wine and cocktails. Chef Johannes is French, and hence created this beautifully marriage between Cambodian cuisine and French style Haute cuisine, using local produce and herbs. Will certainly visit them again...

Cuisine Wat Damnak in Phnom Penh, led by Chef Joannès Rivière, offers a refined Cambodian dining experience that artfully blends traditional flavors with contemporary techniques. The elegant ambiance, featuring traditional wooden furnishings and contemporary design elements, creates a serene and intimate setting perfect for any special occasion.

The menu is a testament to Chef Rivière's deep appreciation for Cambodian culinary traditions, utilizing locally sourced ingredients to craft dishes that are both innovative and authentic. Vegetarian options and innovative desserts further showcase the versatility of Cambodian cuisine, providing a delightful culinary journey for all diners.

We opted for the 6 and 8 course tasting menus, and it was an incredible experience! Each course was meticulously prepared and presented, highlighting the rich and diverse flavors of Cambodia. The locally flowered cocktails were amazing, adding a unique and refreshing twist to our dining experience.

Service at Cuisine Wat Damnak is impeccable, with knowledgeable staff eager to guide diners through the menu and provide excellent wine pairings. This restaurant is a must-visit for anyone looking to explore the rich culinary heritage of Cambodia in a fine dining setting, promising a memorable and...