Chez Sophea and Matthieu (Cambodia)

Visit: June 17, 2012
Address: In front of Angkor Wat Temple, Siem Reap, Kingdom of Cambodia
Number: (855) 12 858-003
Website: http://www.chez-sophea.com/html/map.php

My aunt was the one who planned the Cambodia trip this time and while she was googling reviews, she stumbled upon Chez Sophea and Mattheiu's restaurant with superb reviews. So, the restaurant was a little adventure for my big family.

Menu

Menu

Complimentary Bread

Complimentary Bread

The bread itself was okay. The interesting part though, was that there was a huge selection of sauces and spreads for us to use... though not all of them were for the bread. There was plain old mustard, mustard seeds, butter, margarine, olive oil, vinegar and chili oil.

Mixed Salad $7.00 USD

Mixed Salad

The salad here was served with a really unique sauce that was actually quite yummy.The sauce tasted a bit Thai, a little bit sweet, sour and salty. Yup, a party of flavors.

Set - Mixed Salad

Mixed Salad

Set - Fish Kruen $18.00 USD

Fish Kruen

Okay, first off, the plating just does not look appetizing. Second, the fish was so dry like they forgot about it while it was cooking and only remembered an hour later or something. Not a good dish at all.

Set - Amok Fish (Curry) $18.00 USD

Amok Fish (Curry)

Out of all the mains we had, this was definitely the best by far... but that's only relative to the rest of the dishes. The curry was a very normal fish curry that you could find on any street corner in Taipei.

Set - Beefsteak with Prahoc $18.00 USD

Beefsteak with Prahoc

This would be without a doubt the worst beef I've ever had in my life. I'm sure that from the picture it looks nice, pink, and tender since that's what I'm seeing right now. You know how they say pictures are worth a thousand words? Well then, let's make them a thousand lies. The beef was nothing but tender. It was rubber. But see, that's not the worst part. The taste of the beef was just disgusting. You know that lamb odor you get a lot at bad restaurants? I didn't think that was possible with beef until I had this. GAH. NASTY DISH.


Set - 1/2 Chicken BBQ $18.00 USD

1/2 Chicken BBQ

Looking at the picture right now, I'm laughing to myself. Doesn't the chicken look like it was forgotten on the grill? Yup, it tasted just like that.


Set - Roasted Potatoes

Roasted Potatoes

Finally after a long string of practically inedible food, the roasted potatoes were a welcoming sight, though it was more like fried potatoes. The potatoes were nicely golden and crispy on the outside.

I do not  in any way or form recommend this restaurant. I honestly have no idea how Chez Sophea and Matthieu had so many positive reviews. Not only was the dining atmosphere pretty nasty with a giant fan blowing kitchen oil into our hairs but there was also a dog creeping around while we were sweating in the hot Cambodian weather. I keep telling myself that maybe, just maybe the chef was having an off day. To this extent though? Highly unlikely. But hey, an adventure is always filled with unknowns :)