Kroya by Chef Chanrith – Siem Reap, Shinta Mani Angkor
Words: Monica Tindall
Photos: Han Sen Hau
At the heart of Shinta Mani Angkor lies Kroya, the property’s signature restaurant that embodies Chef Chanrith’s vision for the future of Khmer cuisine. Kroya, which translates to ‘food’ in the language of Khmer royalty, marries local ingredients with fresh herbs and spices to create innovative flavours. Chef Chanrith reinterprets classic Khmer recipes from his childhood using modern techniques and artistic flair, inviting us to explore his culinary vision.
Kroya by Chef Chanrith transforms to suit your mood throughout the day. Early mornings and evenings find guests soaking in the vibrant atmosphere on the outdoor patio. Six inviting swing seats create a playful ambience for couples or friends, perfect for a casual afternoon tea – think Instagram-worthy with a touch of sophistication. Indoors, glass walls offer a glimpse of the street scene while maintaining cool comfort with air conditioning. As night falls, the space transforms into a more intimate setting, with tables adorned by the warm glow of flickering candle lanterns.
Kroya by Chef Chanrith – Siem Reap
We’ve come for Chef Chanrith’s six-course Tasting Menu, priced at $50 USD (or opt for the four-course option at $40 USD). We’re fresh off a stay at Shinta Mani Wild, where fellow travellers who had reversed our itinerary raved about Kroya’s degustation menu. They praised not only its deliciousness but also its stunning presentation. Needless to say, we’re eager to experience it for ourselves.
Appetizer
We’re off to a tasty start with the appetizer. Cucumber, mango, jackfruit, and tamarind stuff a crispy rice and potato cracker, and the most delicious Banteay Sri Village jackfruit curry dip covers the top. Finally, it’s crowned with cucumber jade pearls. It reaches every corner of our mouths, serving its purpose of awakening our appetites and warming up our taste buds for the meal ahead.
Salad
Battambang Province, famous for pomelo, provides the base of the salad. It’s topped with seared king oyster mushrooms, which could easily be confused with scallops, given their shape and meaty texture. Crispy mushroom pops and dehydrated coconut add crunch and a lovely grounding earthiness to the recipe. Lastly, a swipe of red chilli puree marks the end of the pretty blue plate, allowing guests to add it to taste. Add the sauce—it’s flavourful and aromatic with a manageable heat.
Soup
We cautiously approach the Pouk Village Kek soup because of the foraged red tree ants included as seasoning. However, it turns out that they’re politely served on the side, allowing for varying comfort levels. The broth on its own is very pleasant, and we love the sourness of the tamarind with Khmer basil, Shinta Mani Wild cowa mangosteen leaves and caramelized cubes of duck breast. It turns out the red ants are nothing to fear, contributing a gentle sourness. They’ve been marinated and fried together with garlic, oyster sauce and peppercorns. Dive in and give them a go!
Fish & Seafood
The sauteed Koh Kong scallops are prettily plated, strewn with edible flowers and foraged greens. They are golden on top, and string beans, finger chillies, minced pork, and holy basil bed them. The metal bowl that holds them resembles a mini wok and works well as an industrial contrast to the elegant floral adornment. The beans have a great crunch, and the pork has a nice chew.
Meat
The main, 26-day butter-aged beef tenderloin, “lok lak” style, comes arranged in a fan around the plate with the traditional condiments of tomato, cucumber and greens. It’s served with a sous-vide egg that explodes with the touch of a knife, the yellow yolk oozing over the beef. Partially glutinous brown and white rice sprinkled with crushed cashews, along with a petite bowl of Kampot pepper lime sauce, is served on the side. The sauce includes both black and green whole peppercorns, gifting floral notes and a consistent warmth.
Dessert at Kroya Siem Reap
The sweet finale has a dramatic flair. Rich chocolate sauce is poured over a translucent sphere encircled by chocolate petals. Once the moat is full of chocolate, we pop the bubble, and aromatic smoke escapes to reveal a ring of Nom Tailai cake made with palm sugar, coconut, rice flour and a centre of passion jelly. It’s an impressive ending, and those who enjoy smokey flavours will delight in the smoke infused throughout the dessert.
Kroya by Chef Chanrith Review
We enjoyed an exceptional meal at Kroya by Chef Chanrith and highly recommend the six-course tasting menu. The setting is elegant, with both indoor and outdoor dining areas. Tall glass walls allow plenty of natural light during the day while reflecting flickering candles in the evening. The chef presents a plant-forward menu celebrating indigenous ingredients and contemporary Cambodian flair.
Reasons to visit Kroya by Chef Chanrith – Siem Reap: We highly recommend the six-course tasting menu, beautifully plated and delicious cuisine, just-the-right-size portions, lovely service staff, and elegant and contemporary setting.
Kroya by Chef Chanrith
Shinta Mani Angkor and Bensley Collection Pool Villas
Junction of Oum Khun St and 14th Street
00000 Shinta Mani St, Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
shintamani.com/Angkor
[email protected]
+855-98-969-234
*vegan,vegetarian & gluten-free options
**air-con and alfresco dining options
Kroya by Chef Chanrith Opening Hours
07:00 – 10:30 Breakfast
11:00 – 15:00 A La Carte Lunch
18:00 – 22:30 Set Menu Dinner
Find more travel and gourmet recommendations for Cambodia here, and stay up-to-date with the latest gourmet and travel recommendations for Malaysia here and here.