Nestled in the heart of Long Beach's "Little Cambodia," Crystal Cambodian/Thai is an unpretentious gem serving homey, authentic dishes like beef skewers and delightful boat noodles, all in a tight-knit, cash-only space perfect for indulgent family-style dining.
"Find lukewarm service and red-hot cooking at this under-the-radar Cambodian restaurant. Some of the menu’s best items include the spicy papaya salad and the pad kee mao, flat rice noodles with meat, chile, and garlic. Note: the restaurant tends to close earlier than posted hours if the dining room is empty." - Mona Holmes, Brian Addison
"Since it’s a few blocks South of Anaheim Street on a mostly residential block, you’re probably not going to stumble into Crystal Thai-Cambodian Cuisine randomly. But you should make a point to come here for some excellent Thai boat noodles, green lemongrass curry with frog legs, and shareable entrees like fried catfish that’s perfectly tender and served with a side of mango paste. The menu is huge, but no matter what you order, you’ll probably walk out with leftovers having spent around $20 per person. It’s also cash-only, but there’s an ATM in the taco shop next door. " - nikko duren
"When dining in Long Beach, one of the hardest tasks is choosing a favorite Cambodian restaurant. The options are plentiful, with many operating for decades. Some specialize in one thing, while others like Crystal Cambodian/Thai Restaurant easily generate a delicious menu from morning until night. First, Crystal Cambodian has something that most Long Beach restaurants do not: a parking lot. So drive right in, and nestle in a booth or table where there’s a frequent stream of dishes flying out of the kitchen. Order an assortment but be sure to get the fiery red prahok ktis with ground pork, fish sauce, and aromatics with a side of cabbage. Tear off a leaf and use it as a crunchy vessel to scoop up a single bite. One might run out of cabbage but simply shift to a spoon for assistance and efficiency. For the uninitiated, prahok ktis is one of those dishes that will permanently be on an ordering list; its bold flavors will haunt you and make you wonder how this dish hasn’t been a regular part of your repertoire. —Mona Holmes" - Eater Staff
"Since it’s a few blocks South of Anaheim Street on a mostly residential block, you’re probably not going to stumble into Crystal Thai-Cambodian Cuisine randomly. But you should make a point to come here for some excellent Thai boat noodles, green lemongrass curry with frog legs, and shareable entrees like fried catfish that’s perfectly tender and served with a side of mango paste. The menu is huge, but no matter what you order, you’ll probably walk out with leftovers having spent around $20 per person. It’s also cash-only, but there’s an ATM in the taco shop next door. photo credit: Matt Gendal" - Nikko Duren
"Locals flock to Crystal Thai for pitch-perfect Cambodian cooking. Most everyone orders the beef skewers, papaya salad, prahok, and cha kroeung (an herb and aromatic paste used in stir-fries). Save room for the house-made desserts like sticky rice with plantains." - Cathy Chaplin
