Meghana Harikumar
Bengaluru: Think Cambodia and your mind likely wanders to the awe-inspiring spires of Angkor Wat. But beyond its architectural grandeur lies a culinary legacy just as profound—earthy, herbaceous, royal, and soulful. This June, for the very first time, Bengaluru diners will get to taste this exquisite side of Cambodia, as Chef Ros Rotanak, better known as Chef Nak, brings her cuisine to India in a two-day pop-up at Zen, The Leela Palace Bengaluru, on June 13 and 14, 2025.
A trailblazer in her own right, Chef Nak is Cambodia’s leading culinary ambassador, celebrated not just for preserving the nation’s fading recipes, but for elevating them on a global stage. A bestselling author, chef, cultural documentarian, and hospitality entrepreneur, she has redefined the way the world experiences Cambodian cuisine—and this pop-up marks her debut showcase in India, offering guests an opportunity to savour the rich, royal, and deeply traditional flavours of Khmer food.
A Landmark Event in Southeast Asian and Indian Gastronomy
This exclusive event is hosted at Zen, the iconic fine dining restaurant at The Leela Palace Bengaluru, a name synonymous with elegance and innovation in Indian hospitality. Known for its refined take on Chinese, Japanese, and Thai cuisines, Zen has earned accolades including Best Pan Asian Premium Dining Restaurant by NDTV Food Awards and Times Food & Nightlife Awards.
Curated in collaboration with Gormei, a Kolkata-based culinary curations platform, the event promises not just a dinner, but a multi-sensory journey through Cambodia’s kitchens, homes, and royal courts, all channelled through Chef Nak’s signature lens of authenticity and grace.
Who Is Chef Nak?
Born and raised in Phnom Penh, Chef Nak’s journey with food began as an act of resistance, remembrance, and love. After a life-changing trip to the US in 2010, she realised that even Cambodian-run restaurants abroad often labelled their food as Thai—because Khmer cuisine was simply unknown. Determined to change that, she returned to Cambodia and set off on a remarkable mission: to collect, document, and revive Khmer recipes, many of which were almost lost during the devastating Khmer Rouge regime of the 1970s.
She travelled across the country, speaking to grandmothers, village cooks, and elderly temple chefs. These oral histories became the foundation of her first book, Nhum (which means “Eat” in Khmer), published in 2019. But it was her second cookbook, SAOY – Royal Cambodian Home Cuisine, that placed her firmly in the global spotlight. In 2023, SAOY was awarded the prestigious Best of the Best Cookbook in the World at the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards, drawing attention to the richness of Cambodia’s culinary heritage.
Today, Chef Nak runs a luxury Cambodian homestay, conducts exclusive cooking classes, offers private fine-dining experiences, and works as a sought-after restaurant consultant. Through partnerships with global organizations like UNICEF, FAO, and the World Bank, she also advocates for sustainable food systems, healthy cooking practices, and culinary pride—especially among children and families.
What to Expect at the Pop-Up
This is not just a dinner. It’s an intimate conversation with Cambodia’s culinary soul. At Zen, Chef Nak will present a curated menu of traditional Khmer dishes, prepared with regional authenticity and presented with global elegance. Expect bold yet balanced flavours—lemongrass, galangal, turmeric, and fermented paste layered with subtle sweet, sour, and umami notes.
The menu draws inspiration from royal kitchens, countryside homes, and bustling Cambodian markets. Though the exact dishes are being kept under wraps, those familiar with Chef Nak’s repertoire might anticipate gems like Samlor Korko (a hearty vegetable and green papaya stew), Nom Banh Chok (Khmer rice noodles with fish gravy), or Ang Plea (fermented fish salad with herbs and toasted rice).
Every dish will be woven with narrative—of the people, places, and memories that inspired it. From her grandmother’s kitchen to the floating villages of Tonle Sap, Chef Nak’s food tells stories. Each bite becomes a bridge between continents, histories, and generations.
A Dining Experience with Purpose
What makes Chef Nak’s approach especially compelling is her emphasis on cultural connection and community. For her, food is both personal and political—it is a way to reclaim history, empower women, and share joy. This ethos carries into every aspect of the event, from the ingredients she chooses to the way she interacts with guests.
Her philosophy resonates deeply with The Leela Palace Bengaluru’s commitment to offering transformative, luxury experiences rooted in heritage and excellence. Zen, already home to some of the finest Asian cuisine in the country, offers the perfect setting—minimal, elegant, immersive—for this cross-cultural celebration.
Event Details
Venue: Zen, The Leela Palace Bengaluru, Old Airport Road
Dates: June 13 and 14, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Price per person: ₹7,500 plus taxes
Why You Shouldn’t Miss It
For food enthusiasts, this is a rare opportunity to engage with a cuisine largely unexplored in India. For cultural connoisseurs, it’s a night of stories, flavours, and connection. And for anyone curious about what the future of global dining looks like—sustainable, respectful, rooted, and innovative—Chef Nak’s India debut is the moment to watch.
Only for two nights. Only at Zen. A piece of Cambodia awaits.
Editor
Meghana Harikumar
