Chez Sovan

Been a while since my first review of the restaurant. The servers/​owners are as enthusiastic as ever. Satay is unbelievably tasty: serious grilling without the meat being burned… Had the chicken satay; moist inside and bbq grill marks on the outside and perfectly marinated! Amok is still made very well, but they’ve switched out using catfish to now using basa. Taste of the fish is just not the same; basa is less tasty. No one does Chicken Curry like Chez Sovan, tasty without being spicy. Must try place!

The food and service here is overall quite good. Our waiters were really great about refilling our water, bringing out the food quickly, and cleaning up our table promptly. The place was definitely bustling which might be why they were so quick and efficient but I didn’t feel rushed at all when we were eating. Because all the reviews and photos said/​showed the Amok, we decided to try that and it did not disappoint! I thought it might be steamed sticky rice and fish but it’s actually micture of egg and catfish wrapped in a banana leaf. It had a good balanced flavor of lemon grass (not too strong!) and was absolutely delicious! We wanted to try both the chicken and beef satay but they ran out of beef (a contributing factor to 4 stars vs 5 stars) so we just got the chicken skewer, which was good but nothing crazy special. I was sort of expecting a satay which comes with a sauce usually but this didn’t have any side sauce so it’s flavor was a lot more mild. Still it was quite good with the complimentary side bowl of rice.
Other things I knocked points off for include location (very little parking space near the resturaunt so we had to park in the housing area and walk 1 – 2 blocks), noise level (super loud because there’s no carpet or curtains to absorb the sound), and price (a bit on the higher end for what you get. It’s not that bad if you have more people and get a curry/​other dish to share but between 2 people, it’s a bit pricey). The food is definitely good though and I hope to come back again and try their ginger fish or chicken curry which seems quite popular!

The server who also seems to be the boss is super friendly and nice; he even gives you thoughtful suggestions about what to order.
However I am giving this place 3 stars because:
1) this place is literally a hole in the wall
2) I’ve tasted authentic Cambodian food at 2 of my Cambodian friends’ houses and this was definitely not the same. The food here tasted more like a mild Thai food.

They are only open for lunch so it was hard for me to find a time to come since I work in Fremont, but I had the day off so decided to come here and check it out. I got the Amok and chicken skewer. Chicken skewer was good, charred for that flavor that I love. The amok was very unique, it’s flavor wasn’t from salt which is what I’m used to, but I liked it. I wish it was spicy though, that would’ve been icing on the cake.
I would definitely go back to try their other dishes and maybe ask for some spices or sauce next time.

Pure culinary genius. The focus here is purely on the food, and it will knock your socks off! Go early, eat heartily, have a great rest of the day! I sampled both locations, and this one on Oakland road is clearly the winner!

Had my doubts, but man, the food sold me at the very first bite. Indeed a small hold-​in-​the-​wall restaurant in a sketchy neighborhood, humble décor, but service and food is five-​star. We were greeted loudly but warmly by who seems to be the manager/​owner, a tall middle-​aged man. Menu is surprisingly small and since I am unfamiliar with Cambodian cuisine, I just picked what sounded good at the moment — fish. Boy, the flavors were addicting, satisfying, and fresh. I can’t describe it but it definitely was pleasantly surprising. Will definitely bring my husband here with me next time.

So this place is only open on the weekdays. But luckily I work like 10 minutes away. Also get here early because the place is not very big and does get busy. There were plenty of people waiting when we left about 12:40. I think the lot across the street belongs to them but it’s very small and one way. I parked there but it was very difficult to get in and out of. I did look for street parking but it’s in a residential area so there wasn’t any really available. Anyways we got the fish amok, stir fried eggplant and a beef skewer. I’ve been to their other location and didn’t see the eggplant or skewers on that menu. So glad I was able to try new things. The beef skewer was tender and flavorful. I probably had a few more of these. They also offer chicken skewers if that’s more your speed. The eggplant with ground pork was great, really tasty. Eggplant was cooked nicely, not overcooked or mushy. It went well with white rice. Mmm. And the amok is obviously the star. It’s just a white fish, seems so simple and I wish I knew how to make it. Haha. But just another reason to come back. Friendly staff. Our main waiter — really tall Asian guy with a ponytail, I think, was super nice. Food came out quickly and we were in and out in about half an hour for lunch.

Small spot with incredible food, and staff with even better personality!
Coming here is such a pleasure. The owner and his staff are friendly, kind, and happy to joke around. It’s the kind of place I’d want to be recognized as a regular.
This is the original location — spinoff is in Campbell. This spot is only open for lunch.
Also, they’re really fast.
I’ve worked my way through the menu and have all around great thoughts about this place. Here are some hilights:
Amok — Smells amazing. Tastes amazing. It’s kind of got the texture of tofu, full of chunks of fish and full of flavor
Curry — Well spiced and piled high with meat
Eggplant + Green beans — I’m already crazy about eggplant, and crazy about garlic eggplant. Chez Sovan kicks it up a notch on the flavor for both of these.

I’ve only had Cambodian made by a friend who is from Cambodia, so my rating is not so much for authenticity as it is out of sheer delight over how delicious my plates were.
I came here knowing I would order the Amok since everyone at work has raved about it (and so have fellow Unilocalers). However, when my friend and I ordered the same item, the waiter wouldn’t have it. With ease he convinced us to share the Amok and suggested we order the Curry in addition. Since neither of us had been here, we agreed to let him lead the way.
AMAZING.
The Amok was warm and flaky. The lemongrass and kaffir leaf flavor were very soft but notable. Would definitely order this again.
As I’m not a curry fan per-​say, I was nervous to try this. The smell wasn’t too strong, but it got me questioning my decision. But, with reckless abandon, I piled it on my rice and scooped it up into my mouth. Hmm… first bite wasn’t too bad. Nor was the rest as I scarfed it down and had my friend divvying up the last of it so that we would leave nothing on the table (as our waiter was so kind to point out, there ARE starving children in the world). Guess who likes Cambodian Chicken Curry? This girl!
Check this place out. The prices are reasonable, the food is delicious and the service is quick and friendly.
Definitely worth 5 stars.

I have been here twice. It is on the edge of downtown north, Luna Park. Could not be a less appealing spot of property. The food was good. Limited hours, def the workers lunch. Perhaps replaces Bennie’s which got factory/​cannery /​lawyers workers Japantown long ago. In the past, the interior of restaurant was awful. And i am a lover of hole in the walls. Just a coat of paint. Really. It makes me question owners. Great food, ugly-​dirty, can afford a painter. They’ve been there for25 yrs? It would not be obvious if it was a dark bar: lounge. Imagine coming to a tacky bar during daylight hours W the lights on. I will go back, check it out. Don’t take that special date there. Or your inlaws who already think you have bad taste.

My favorite dish is the ginger fish, but all the dishes here are really good. The amok is very tasty, with a lot of lemongrass flavor.
I wish their dishes are a bit spicier, but maybe I can just ask for hot sauce next time.
I find the waiter to be hilarious, although I can’t understand what he says half of the time.

I enjoyed the chicken bbq skewers and the salad. The noodles were a little too flavorful for my liking. Seemed drenched in sauce.

If you’ve never had Cambodian food, this is definitely a great place to check out.
My friend introduced me to this restaurant and I am hooked! When I come here, I always order the Amok. I don’t think I could ever get tired of eating it. It’s full of flavor and just melts in your mouth. Lately I’ve been getting the Cambodian coffee which is tasty and strong.
The owner Brian is super friendly and is always in a good mood. There is a parking lot where you can park, but I usually try to find parking on the street. Try to come early because this restaurant can get packed.

First time trying Cambodian food and it was in this little hole-​in-​the-​wall place. This place does get packed at lunch! I can honestly say this place set the bar pretty damn high in terms of taste as it was amazing! Definitely swing by and try this place, and don’t worry next to the restaurant is an actual lot for parking so if the streets look full, drive a little bit down from the front entrance and you’ll see the parking lot with plenty of space.

This Chez Sovan is a hole-​in-​the-​wall place. The neighborhood is likewise. I think that is why they only open for lunch during daylight. (safer this way) I would imagine this is similar atmosphere to Cambodia, except not as hot and humid. It is authentic, just like the food.
They have been at this location forever, over 20 years from my memory. What is their secret for success when so many other ventures have ended? I notice their menu is limited to one page, and all the choices are winners.
I had their signature Amok dish, Basa catfish wrapped in banana leaves. Perfect seasoning; you can’t go wrong with catfish because of the moist texture. But catfish are bottom feeders so eat in moderation.
Their chicken satay was also wonderful. It was slightly charred which I like, yet still moist and flavorful inside. Not dry or hard at all.
Everything was good, in fact, their Cambodian Ice Tea was so good, its effect lingered to my bedtime.
I would like to come again and share more of their winning dishes with friends.

I love Chez Sovan! Their Amok is to drool for. But then again, anything that you order here is going to be satisfying.
Only open for lunch, Monday to Friday. So pick a day and take some time to eat here! Their fresh chili is soooo fresh and delish!
The staff is sooo comforting, they make me feel like home every time I’m there, they do this to everyone. Makes it kind of hard not to want to come back.

Wow this place is legit. It looks a little sketch from the outside, with bars outside the window and doors. But once you step inside, you feel at home.
We came in a few minutes before closing time (whoops!), but the owner was very kind and still seated us. They were sold out of #1 and 2, but he made some recommendations and we trusted him! He came over and chatted with us, joking around. He’s a great guy who understands life isn’t about money (this place is only open weekdays for lunch 11AM-1:30PM).
Food is bomb, portions are huge! Had the shrimp salad, beef yellow curry, and ginger fish. The ginger fish was my favorite — crispy and yet so soft and flaky, with ground chicken on top and fresh ginger. The beef curry was delicious as well, and the salad had a light lime dressing that was yum!

This place was great! There’s nothing I can say that other reviews have not touched upon. Gets crowded during lunch for sure, so I’d try to come early. There’s a small lot to park in, but you’ll probably have to hunt for street parking.
My favorite dish was the amok, which was the catfish steamed in banana leaf. The curries and everything else were delicious as well. The creamy iced tea was similar to a Thai iced tea, but I think a little bit better. Service and the owner were awesome too.
YUM! Wish they were open on weekends and for dinner!

This is a good place to grab lunch, but be warned it can get very crowded. I went here with a group of co-​workers for a Monday lunch. We stopped by early to avoid the lines, but upon arrival were told that we could have called ahead to reserve a table since we had such a large party.
Décor-​wise, it isn’t the best looking restaurant. The space is on the smaller side, the tables and chairs aren’t exactly new, and the layout is pretty bare. But even though the restaurant isn’t bright or exciting, the owner certainly makes up for it. I don’t think you will ever meet anyone who is so charismatic and welcoming in a restaurant. He really makes you feel comfortable.
For our food, we ordered the amok fish which was wrapped and steamed in banana leaf, skewers of chicken and beef, a tofu salad, a tofu curry, ginger fish, and refillable rice bowls. I have never tried the amok fish before and was a little hesitant about the way it looks. Triangular in shape, it looks like congealed fish, but once you spear it, the real pieces of fish are on the inside. I love how moist it was and the light coconut flavor throughout the dish.
The skewers were grilled to tender perfection, both the chicken and the beef. The tofu salad had a delicious fish sauce vinaigrette that had a nice tangy flavor and the tofu curry was wonderfully creamy and thick. The ginger fish was the dish with the most powerful flavor, but it went well with the white rice. Once again, the fish was moist and juicy.
While I don’t have any specific cons (besides maybe the décor of the restaurant, or lack thereof), I can’t say that the food is mind-​blowing. I came in with pretty high expectations from looking at the reviews, but for me, the taste wasn’t too spectacular.
Still, all in all, this place is quite good; however, keep in mind that their hours are EXTREMELY limited. If you ever have the chance, stop by, meet the owner, and try some decent Cambodian food.

I’ve been Unilocaling so much lately I’ve been having Unilocal dreams (or nightmares, whichever). All I know is Unilocal has given me foodie goals, and I knew I wanted to check out this place at some pt after kind fellow Unilocaler Bryan R’s rec.
From the outside, looks like a dinky laundromat or a place that shoots porn videos. (Come into Chez Sovan oui harharhar.) Red light district vibe notwithstanding, oh god, was this hole in the wall a hidden treasure.
It’s kinda dark, crowded, and noisy inside, but the food more than makes up for it. Oh yes it does.
Never have I ever had Cambodian food this good before. (Well never have I ever had Cambodian either. yes I realize thai, viet, and cambodian aren’t the same thing), but ya know. Second bite in, I can already tell this will be a high bar for future Cambodian places to live up to.
We ordered (in order of preference):
1. Amok $ 10– basa fish filet in a banana leaf «steamed to perfection,» they say. Yes, it was soft, fluffy perfection alright. I prefer steamed to fried anything most of the time, and this didn’t disappoint. I’m usually not fond of coconut milk, but with this dish, it was a perfect complement to the lemongrass, curry powder, and… surprisingly, eggs. Yes, folks, it turns out eggs are the magic ingredient that makes an ok fish into a delectable one.
2. Ginger fish (L) $ 11.50-a close second. The sauce was a bit sweet and tangy. The 2 deep-​fried fish filets were definitely very crispy, almost too crispy. kinda wish I’d had more fleshy meat in the middle. Alas a little thin, but perfectly flaky on what inside there was. Topped with tons of freshly sliced ginger and ground chicken in what was a divine combo. Twas a good thing I love me some ginger.
3. 2 beef kabob skewers ($ 3/stick)-About 5 pieces per stick. Tasted like Korean bulgogi. Seasoned well. can never go wrong with lemongrass, paprika, and house special sauce, right? Charred and a little too burnt for my personal taste. I’ve probably been spoiled by kbbq.
+The owner has a sense of humor. I like.
+The food was so good (apparently), that I only had enough time to take pics of the menu before the food swam into my belly. Oops.
+It turns out I actually love fish. What’s next? Me loving veggies? My mom would be proud.
1 complaint walking out:
Why is this place only open for lunch? What have the people of the bay ever done to deserve this?