I walked in without expecting much — just looking for a decent, affordable spot for Chinese roast meat. The first piece of duck changed everything. Beautifully lacquered and tender meat all the way through: it's the real deal. What strikes you is that everything feels made to order. The noodles come out perfectly al dente, the bok choy cooked with the same quiet precision. Simple food, yes — but cooking simple food this well is actually harder than it looks.

I wasn't even hungry when I arrived — just craving something comforting. And yet after the soup, I couldn't stop. I ordered the har gow — served in threes, stuffed with large, plump shrimp pieces. Genuinely good, generous and honest. Then came the bill: 22,000 riels (5.5$) for the whole thing — and tea on the house. The kind of moment that makes you love this city all over again.

It's also a solid pick for breakfast: open every day from 6am to 10pm, they serve rice congee with a choice of toppings — a warming, no-nonsense way to start the morning the Asian way. I'll definitely be back to work through the rest of the menu.

If roast duck is your thing, Duck Kingdom is another address worth knowing. And for more tried-and-tested spots, browse all my picks in Best restaurants in Phnom Penh.