Boat Noodle Restaurant is located on a street corner along Street 63 in Phnom Penh’s vibrant BKK1 neighborhood. Out front, they’re grilling chicken on a charcoal grill, and the fragrant smoke drifts across the sidewalk, making it almost impossible to just walk past. It was the grilled chicken that drew me inside the first time, and it is still the reason I keep coming back.
The menu is divided into two sections. One is Thai, with classics such as tom yum kung, som tam, and of course boat noodles. The other is Khmer, featuring traditional Cambodian dishes. It is a cozy mix, and there is something for everyone. The Thai boat noodles, which gave the restaurant its name, are perfectly fine, but they are rarely what I order. For me, it is all about the chicken.
The grilled chicken costs only a couple of dollars, and it tastes fantastic. The meat is tender and juicy, the skin crisp, and it is served with a delicious garlic and chili sauce for dipping. The sauce reminds me a little of the one Kanary’s mom makes, and it is particularly good with sticky rice, which I usually order alongside the chicken.
When I eat out in Phnom Penh, I almost always order a lime soda. Freshly squeezed lime juice, a bit of simple syrup, and sparkling water, which you mix yourself to get the flavor and the sweetness just the way you like it. It is a wonderful drink in the heat and pairs really well with the grilled chicken.
If I am very hungry, I will also order one of the salads on the side, but often a piece of chicken and a portion of rice are enough to leave me comfortably full.
I have shown up a couple of times only to find the coals cold, and once or twice they had already sold out for the day, so make sure you visit Boat Noodle Restaurant when they’re grilling chicken. The rest of the menu is solid, but it is the grilled chicken that truly stands out.
Boat Noodle Restaurent (Siam) I, 184, St Preah Trasak Paem St. (63), Phnom Penh 12302, Cambodia
