Co-founders and chefs Michael Kenyon (left) and Chea Sothea. Hong Menea
Named the Tonle Burger (meaning river in Khmer), Century 9 Inspired Eatery’s signature cheeseburger pays homage to both American and Khmer culture, a concept central to the restaurant’s fusion philosophy.
The American and Khmer co-founders of the Russian Market-based restaurant believe in combining Khmer culture with foreign influences to create a new, modern and exciting cuisine.
The team behind the eatery are American Michael Kenyon, a Le Cordon Bleu certified chef, along with Cambodians Kao Ratha and Chea Sothea. Together they wanted to create a fusion restaurant inspired by Khmer and Western culture, using local organic ingredients.
They named the restaurant after the Khmer Empire – at the height of its influence in the 9th century and leading in the region in terms of administration, agriculture and architecture.
The restaurant’s relaxed, informal vibe contrasts with the rich and tasty food, which is immaculately presented and uses high-quality ingredients.
The co-founders also wanted their business to have a positive social impact, and so have set about training unskilled and jobless young Cambodian men since opening.
“There are many Cambodian men who are unskilled and jobless, so we thought of a way to help inexperienced and illiterate people. We aim to train them and allow them to learn with us,” 29-year-old general manager Ratha told The Post.
“We’re a bit like a non-profit in some ways. People who work with us are not just staff, we are like a family. We’ve taught people to become baristas, chefs and waiters, and taught them to communicate in English,” the Business Management and Accounting graduate added.
According to Ratha, staff are hired based on their living situation, their characteristics and their willingness to learn new skills.
“Even when young men who are selected to work here struggle to keep up with the training, we don’t just sack them. Instead, we find a role they are capable of doing,” Ratha said.
The eatery has two professional chefs in Kenyon and Sothea, who are keen to share their culinary knowledge and skills with their 10 staff members, all of whom are men.
“We have a Khmer chef who went to the US for a three-month culinary training programme, while we also have an American chef who has several years experience. The dishes are a unique mix between Khmer and American tastes. Here our American dishes are influenced by Khmer cuisine,” Ratha said.
The restaurant’s signature dish is the Tonle Burger ($7.50 for a 140g beef patty and $8.50 for a 180g patty), which is a combination of grilled beef, cheddar cheese, crispy onion, fresh cilantro and creamy garlic sauce.
The $6 pomelo and grilled corn salad, sprinkled with toasted peanuts and a lime Kampot pepper vinaigrette, is one of the many Khmer inspired dishes.
Customers with a sweet tooth can opt for dessert in the form of crispy jackfruit and ginger spring rolls with basil ice cream ($4.50).
The eatery also sells kroeung curry pots and homemade traditional Khmer chilli spice and herb pastes (ranging from $6 to $9) for customers to try their hand at cooking at home.
Century 9 Inspired Eatery is located on Street 155 in Toul Tom Poung, Phnom Penh. Opening hours are 11am–8pm daily. They can be contacted by telephone (017 316 033) or Facebook (@Century9Cambodia).
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