Crystal Thai-Cambodian Cuisine
Cambodian restaurant · Long Beach ·
Authentic Cambodian & Thai dishes, large portions, beef skewers, papaya salad
Authentic Cambodian & Thai dishes, large portions, beef skewers, papaya salad
"Find lukewarm service and red-hot cooking at this under-the-radar Cambodian restaurant. Some of the menu’s best hits include the spicy papaya salad and the pad kee mao, flat rice noodles with diner’s choice of protein, chile, and garlic. Other dishes to try include the fiery red beef sticks, served with a tangy slaw, its brimming bowl of boat noodles, and one of its rice porridges. Note: the restaurant tends to close earlier than posted hours if the dining room is empty." - Mona Holmes
"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
"I appreciate that this Long Beach staple even has a parking lot; once seated I watched dishes fly out of the kitchen and immediately ordered the fiery red prahok ktis — a bold, haunting mix of ground pork, fish sauce, and aromatics served with cabbage leaves to scoop and a crunch that made it permanently memorable." - 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