Phnom Penh Noodle House owner Sam Ung (center white) with his family including wife Karen (left from center) and daughters (from left) Darlene, Diane, and Dawn. (Photo by George Liu/NWAW)
Phnom Penh Noodle House celebrated its 25th anniversary on July 17. Owner Sam Ung was surprised by a party thrown by his three daughters, who invited all of Ung’s long-time customers to dine at the restaurant and share their memories of Sam and the restaurant. The original restaurant opened on 412 Maynard Avenue South, now the site of the current Northwest Asian Weekly building. An earthquake in the 1980s caused damage to the original building. Ung relocated the restaurant to its present location. While sharing memories of the restaurant, one customer commented that Phnom Penh Noodle House is the only Cambodian restaurant in the Seattle area.
Another customer thanked Ung for sharing his harrowing experience of surviving his time in Cambodia under the Khmer Rough in his book, “I Survived the Killing Fields.” (end)