Do you still remember the article on Raffles Hotel Le Royal’s “Culinary Tour” that FoodBuzz published just a month ago?

Last time, our team dined at an event hosted by Raffles Hotel Le Royal at the Le Phnom 1929 restaurant. However, on October 25, 2022, the FoodBuzz team got to visit Raffles again but this time at the Restaurant Le Royal that just reopened! 

We were served the “Modern Khmer Cuisine”, a modern take on Khmer dishes while maintaining an authentic taste. This is prepared by the head chef, Mr. Martin Becquart and sous chef, Sing Dararith, a Cambodian man whose mother was also a chef at Raffles when it first opened here! 

What is interesting about the meal is that each one is inspired from a local dish that you’ve probably had. Read on to see if your favorite dish is featured! 

Pastry Chef, Mey Sopheak, introduced us to a special bread that he had prepared as an appetizer. The Khmer Baguette and Floss Bread that are inspired by the common types of bread that locals enjoy daily. But his new flavors included the Kampot Pepper Bread and the Beetroot Bread.

The first course is the Marinated Beef Carpaccio that uses Australian beef cured by lime, chili, and garlic and served with fresh, colorful herbs scattered across the plate. This is inspired by the Phlear Sach Ko.

What’s exciting about the second course is that it is first served with just Foie Gras and ravioli before Chef Martine pours the special pumpkin soup into the plate to create the Kendal Province Pumpkin Soup. The fragrance of coconut cream in the pumpkin soup works well with the savory, smoky foie gras. 

Moving onto the third course which is the US Scallops, Amok Reduction. The river fish and curry cake or Amok comes with some soft, chewy scallops and fragrant Jasmine rice. The fourth and main dish is the Seared Duck Breast that has been cooked in garlic oyster sauce and is eaten alongside some organic rice and kale. Its heavy, savory flavor would be elevated when eaten along with a glass of red wine. 

The dessert of the day is a Flambeed Banana inspired by the Chek Dott Bay Dom Nerb, and we got a sponge cake and caramel banana mousse with crumbled banana chips. This layered dessert has many textures that keep each bite fun and interesting. 

Restaurant Le Royal is currently only open for dinners. There are 3 cuisines available - the Royal Khmer Cuisine features authentic food from the Royal Palace, the Modern Khmer Cuisine, and the Vegetarian option. 

Want to give this elevated Khmer-inspired fine dining experience a try? Book your place now!