When Thun Dina’s art meets fine dining at Raffles Hotel Le Royal
On 14 September, Raffles Hotel Le Royal hosted an evening to open “Neighbour”, an exhibition by contemporary painter Thun Dina, and to launch the new modern Khmer menu at Restaurant Le Royal. The two run side by side for the next three months, pairing memories of the Mekong with a fresh take on Khmer cooking.
An evening of art, food and diplomacy
The reception took place in the elegant, hushed setting that has long defined Raffles Hotel Le Royal. Around a hundred guests attended by invitation. Among them was a large delegation from the Japanese Business Association of Cambodia (JBAC), including Mr Shunji “Shaun” Iizuka.
The landmark Phnom Penh hotel has long been a cultural meeting point in the capital. It now changes its art and dining programmes every three months. This gives Cambodian heritage and contemporary work a showcase that stays fresh, where business and local cultural life meet.
“Neighbour” by Thun Dina: memories of the Mekong
Organised with The Gallerist, “Neighbour” is open to the public for the whole three-month season. It presents recent work by Cambodian painter Thun Dina. Born in Kampong Cham in 1989, the artist draws on childhood memories of the riverside communities along the Mekong, where Khmers, Chams and Vietnamese have long lived side by side, their days set by the river and by work.
Working mainly in oil and acrylic, Thun Dina paints with generous brushwork and layers of blended colour. His canvases record less the places themselves than what it felt like to live there. The vivid river scenes also carry a harder message about a changing Cambodia: eroding riverbanks, environmental pressure and urban growth that keep forcing people to adapt.
Restaurant Le Royal’s new menu: a contemporary take
Echoing the river theme, Raffles presented its new modern Khmer menu, served at Restaurant Le Royal for the next three months. Built on family and traditional recipes, it revisits some of the great classics of Khmer cooking.
– The meal opens with a sea bass crudo with coriander, ripe mango, lemon, lime, chilli, ginger, pomelo and green herb oil. Inspired by Plear Trey Svay Tom, it balances freshness, citrus and gentle spice.
– Next comes a sour duck soup made with fresh river vine leaves, sour leaves and seasonal vegetables. Inspired by Somlor Machou Kroeung Ter, it keeps the comforting, lively character of the traditional Khmer sour soup.
– As a warm starter, king prawn comes with mashed potato, red curry sauce, edamame, edible flowers and chopped bacon. Inspired by Bong Korng Dom Loerng Doth, the dish pairs rich textures and fragrant notes in a modern presentation.
– The main course, oven-roasted beef fillet, is served with crushed white rice and taro, a lemongrass and Khmer cheese sauce, braised red beans, crispy glass noodles, flowers and chilli oil. Inspired by Doth Sach Ko Sander Kro-Horm, it gives a refined reading of the depth of Khmer cuisine.
– To finish, a pear crème brûlée with crumble and salted butter caramel, inspired by Num Plae Saree Neung Scor Brai.
Art and food in the heart of Phnom Penh
Between Thun Dina’s warm-toned canvases and the new dishes from Restaurant Le Royal, the evening brought together guests from Phnom Penh’s many communities. The exhibition and the menu are both on at Raffles until the end of the season.
Practical information:
– “Neighbour” exhibition by Thun Dina (with The Gallerist): on show at Raffles Hotel Le Royal for three months.
– New modern Khmer menu: served at Restaurant Le Royal for three months.
– Reservations: +855 23 981 888 / dining.leroyal@raffles.com
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