“Touk Teuv Kampong Neuv”: When Art and Khmer Gastronomy Meet at Raffles Hotel Le Royal
- Editorial team
- 2 hours ago
- 4 min read
On January 26, 2026, Raffles Hotel Le Royal in Phnom Penh hosted the opening of the exhibition “Touk Teuv Kampong Neuv,” an event blending contemporary art and reimagined Khmer gastronomy.
Historical and Cultural Context of the Exhibition
Founded in 1929 and restored in 2019, Raffles Hotel Le Royal has embodied colonial elegance and hospitality excellence for nearly a century in the heart of Phnom Penh. With its 175 rooms and suites, the hotel has long been a privileged venue for artistic and culinary events. The exhibition “Touk Teuv Kampong Neuv” continues this tradition, reaffirming the hotel’s enduring support for the local art scene.
The Khmer proverb “Touk Teuv Kampong Neuv” evokes the permanence of foundations amid the constant flow of life. The exhibition explores this very tension: the richness of Cambodian artistic traditions confronted with Phnom Penh’s fast-paced urban development.
The artworks, displayed in the Le Royal restaurant spaces, invite contemplation of continuity and change, set against the backdrop of the Cambodian countryside—a cultural and natural anchor now being encroached upon by progress.
Works and Artists: A Dialogue Between Past and Present
Jean-François Périgois, a French photographer based in Southeast Asia since the early 2000s, presents a striking photographic series. His images juxtapose classical Khmer dancers and masked performers—bearers of ancient rituals and collective memory—with Phnom Penh’s modern skyscrapers.
This visual contrast highlights the coexistence of traditional stillness and urban motion, of past and present. His photographs capture a surprising harmony where Khmer classical theater and dance heritage converses with the city’s contemporary verticality.
Chhim Sothy, a leading Cambodian contemporary artist, enriches this narrative through symbolic-textured paintings and collages. His works add another layer, exploring the complexity of Khmer identity in transition. By merging mediums and visions, he underscores how tradition is not frozen in the past but adapts and asserts itself in the present.
Together, the two artists create a coherent statement on cultural evolution, inviting visitors to contemplate the timeless beauty of heritage in dialogue with the energy of change.
The Words of Julie Thai
Julie Thai, representing The Gallerist, delivered an opening speech filled with warmth and gratitude. Addressing guests, friends, and art lovers, she expressed sincere thanks for their presence and for Raffles’ unwavering support.
“We are delighted to welcome you on this journey through Cambodian cultural heritage, seen through the lens of contemporary art,” she said.
She then elaborated on the deeper meaning of the exhibition’s title proverb, reminding the audience that “while life is in constant motion, some foundations endure.” This guiding thread positions the exhibition as a meeting point between Cambodia’s rich traditions and Phnom Penh’s evolving landscape.
Julie Thai concluded by inviting guests to reflect on the balance between change and continuity before wishing everyone an enriching evening.
Atmosphere and Significance of the Evening
Touk Teuv Kampong Neuv reflects on Cambodia’s ongoing cultural transformations, celebrating a living heritage in transition. It demonstrates how Phnom Penh, between rural and urban, traditional and modern, continues to forge its contemporary identity.
This January 26, 2026 event marked a milestone in promoting Cambodian contemporary art—uniting aesthetics, reflection, and fine cuisine within a historic setting. The evening gathered a diverse audience: dignitaries, collectors, art professionals, and gastronomy enthusiasts. The refined and intimate atmosphere embodied Raffles’ own legacy—an oasis of sophistication in a rapidly changing city.
More than a vernissage, the soirée celebrated both the artworks and Restaurant Le Royal’s role as a cultural and culinary institution.
Launch of the New “Khmer Modern” Menu
Alongside the exhibition opening, Restaurant Le Royal unveiled its new “Khmer Modern Set” menu—a sophisticated reinterpretation of royal Khmer cuisine. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 6:30 p.m. (closed Mondays), the restaurant offers three-, four-, or five-course menus priced between USD 48 and 74, with optional wine pairings (USD 28 to 48). Each dish draws from traditional flavors while embracing contemporary culinary techniques.
Signature dishes include:
Mondulkiri Coffee Foie Gras Terrine (USD 21): rum, charcoal, coffee, crispy duck skin, and bread – inspired by thloem tea dott kafe nompang.
Sour Chicken Soup (USD 14): tricolor peppers, winter melon, garcinia loureiroi, Thai basil – evoking machou prey sach moan.
Roasted Takeo Lobster (USD 24): jasmine rice, sweet potato purée, red curry sauce – a modern take on bong kong Takeo dott.
Roasted Lamb Rump (USD 35): pepper crust, smoked eggplant purée, honey-oyster sauce, green asparagus, and carrot mirepoix – inspired by cheam angg Ratanakiri.
Ratanakiri Passion Dessert (USD 12): fresh passion fruit cream, holy basil meringue, avocado ice cream – a tribute to bong em phle passion karem phle buer.
Wine pairings include Sauvignon Blanc Loire (USD 12), Chardonnay Margaret River (USD 15), Pinot Noir Marlborough (USD 14), Merlot-Cabernet Bordeaux (USD 15), and Armagnac XO (USD 10).The experience is enhanced by live piano performances of Khmer golden-age classics and a signature sabrage ritual. Prices are quoted in USD, excluding service and taxes.
For reservations or inquiries, contact 023 981 888 or dining.leroyal@raffles.com.
Raffles
Founded in 1887 in Singapore with the creation of the Singapore Sling, Raffles Hotels & Resorts continues its legacy of legendary service at iconic addresses worldwide. Now part of the Accor Group (over 5,100 properties in 110 countries), Raffles Le Royal remains a sanctuary where guests become friends, and friends become family. This artistic and gastronomic celebration further reinforces its status as a Phnom Penh institution—an invitation to immerse oneself in the evolving Khmer soul.
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