A culinary overview: Mi Cha Sach Ko

This marks the beginning of a great culinary tour of Khmer and Asian restaurants in Phnom Penh. Today, we head to the Orussey Market area to discover a place serving the famous “mi cha sach ko,” Chinese noodles with beef. The total cost of the meal in the report comes to $4.30. A real bargain.

The Crashes. Like a gong sounding the approach of a big event. Outside the restaurant, the dough is hammered on the metal work surface. Essentially, it's a large rectangular table. The Orussey district in Phnom Penh is fairly quiet in the early evening. On the terrace, the dough, dying on the steel, resounds and catches attention. The cook, dressed in yellow with a red apron, is meticulous despite the force of his work. He punches, stretches, elongates on one side, then the other, turning and flipping the dough as it continues to squeal on the work surface. The young cook offers it some amplitude and clarity. He repeats the process for about 15 minutes before stretching the dough to form raw noodles, which then go into the boiling pot.

(The young cook prepares the dough before cutting)

A cheerful wait

The wait for the famous "mi cha sach ko," the beef noodles with vegetables, grows impatient. On the table, jasmine tea is poured generously. Hot or with ice, it serves to refresh the palate. Small bowls are also provided, allowing you to customize your sauces. The waitresses offer chili, pepper, soy sauce, sugar, and pepper to mix as you wish. This mix can serve as a delightful appetizer. And the twelve dumplings: fried or boiled, these dumplings excite your appetite. Their crispy texture leads to a delicious mix of vegetables that enhances both flavor and color. These dishes bring people together and turn the wait into a real pleasure. Because, yes, here, what matters is what comes next.    

(The fried dumplings, served with a soy-chili sauce)

Mi Cha Sach Ko

No time to grow impatient, the plate arrives. Though kitschy beyond measure, the plate should not influence the final judgment. These noodles are worth much more. A soft steam rises from their golden attire. When mixing the noodles and vegetables, the crackling of the noodles is still audible. The first bite brings satisfaction and tranquility. The mind is taken aback by the refinement of this dish, so common in the region.    

The noodles are served with beef and vegetables.

Two options are available: enjoy this moment, chat, have fun, and eat the "mi cha sach ko" slowly, or give in, be honest, and devour the plate. The second choice is often the one taken. The flavor of these noodles is unforgettable. Their melt-in-the-mouth texture contrasts with the crunchy appetizer. A perfect balance. The vegetables complement the beef and its rich flavor. Nothing is wrong, everything is perfect. The best noodles are those with the fewest imperfections. These could disappoint you once and then amaze you a hundredfold. A place that can change your life.    

(The restaurant is located here, across from Orussey Market, at the corner of Streets 111 and 182)

  Thibault Bourru