Cooking with Rey excels in ambiance, service, and food. By Donna A.
Jun 2024 • friends
A warm welcome at the door, seating in a private room where we could easily hear each other, a quick check-in from Kenya, the owner’s niece – what a delightful start to this special dinner. The food was wonderful! Our multi-course dinner (dishes selected that morning to allow preparation time) was beautifully presented, with complex flavors and perfect temperature. It’s a rare pleasure for a restaurant to excel in ambiance, service, and food. Cooking with Rey met the mark!
Recommendation for: Cooking With Rey, gourmet Cambodian food , by Greg Goodwin
One thing I know I’m always going to get at Joe and Rey’s (Cooking with Rey) and that’s wonderful Cambodian cuisine! I’ve tried just about everything on the menu and never been disappointed. My wife Pamela included.
But the latest addition to the menu was over the top and is my new menu favorite! Filet Minion with a Chipotle/lemongrass sauce. Cooked to perfection and oh so good! And garlic mashed potatoes to boot!
It’s our favorite go to spot, for parties, birthdays and any special occasion. Not to mention just a casual meal anytime. Great food! Great hosts, great atmosphere! What more could you ask for?!
If you haven’t been, you owe it to yourself! Give yourself a treat! You won’t be sorry! I promise!
Cooking with Rey
“A real delight.” We just experienced fine dining in a private dining atmosphere. Chef Rey prepares excellent Cambodian dishes served by her husband Joe and niece Kenya in a beautiful setting. Delicious food prepared to your specifications and served in a personal, friendly, relaxed setting.
Reservations and pre-ordering required, but well worth it.
Marilyn C.
Thank you Marilyn it was our pleasure to serve you!
Recommendation for: Cooking with Rey, Asian cuisine
Happy two year anniversary!! Wow! Has it really been two years of fantastic meals, hospitality and atmosphere!! Yes!! Our favorite place for amazing food and get togethers. Whether 4 of us for a great lunch or a party, birthday dinner or otherwise, Joe and Rey will take good care of you and you won’t leave hungry!
If you haven’t checked it out…please do! You won’t be disappointed!
Chef Sreymon visits La Guarida for a Cambodian Feast
La Guarida is honored to host:
About:
Chef Sreymon joins us at La Guarida for an incredibly culinary journey. A dream collaboration for La Guarida’s team. Chef Rey will cook her fabulous egg rolls, a spicy and perfect squash soup; we’ll collaborate on a Cambodian style salad, tuna, ribs and fried rice plus two delightful desserts. This is certainly not an evening you want to miss.
FAAN thanks Cooking with Rey
FAAN takes today to thank Cooking with Rey for their generous contribution to Gala FAAN-Tastica’s Auction Palooza.
Cooking with Rey is a FAAN favorite among our volunteers with advance ordering and private reservation, authentic Cambodian cuisine and lovely atmosphere.
Be sure to thank the Cooking with Rey team for helping Cuenca become known as the “City that Cares about Animal Welfare” Rosemary Rein: info@FAANecuador.org 096 920 9764. Call after: 9 AM.
THE BBQ KING PULLS NO PUNCHES, TELLS IT LIKE IT IS!
Recommendation for Cooking With Rey, Asian Cuisine
It is official. The King of BBQ has visited the Queen of Asian cuisine. I now pay homage to her superior culinary skills. The experience was amazing.
I had the duck, and it was outstanding. And since I am not shy, I sampled the other plates that were served at my table. The whole pork tenderloin and the salmon were equally brilliant.
Great food, good company, and incredibly attentive hosts. What more can you ask for? Get some!
Address: San Sebastian Park next to the Museum of Modern Art
Contact information: 099 544 3977
Recommended by Leroy Kent: 098 321 8273
Recommendation for Cooking With Rey, private fine dining
We just experienced fine dining in a private dining atmosphere. Chef Rey prepares excellent Cambodian dishes served by her husband Joe and niece Kenya in a beautiful setting. Delicious food prepared to your specifications and served in a personal, friendly, relaxed setting. Reservations and pre-ordering required, but well worth it.
My Husband had Sesame Chicken with fried rice and I had pork tenderloin (marinated 6 hours) with mashed potatoes. The egg roll appetizer and the fresh green salad were also excellent. For dessert, I had the home-made cookie with ice cream. A real delight.
Address: El Centro Cuenca Recommended by Marilyn Cochran: lamaco713@gmail.com
Recommendation for Sreymom – Cooking With Rey by Greg Goodwin
Cambodian cuisine – private dining
If you haven’t tried Rey’s exquisite Cambodian cuisine you are missing out on one of the best meals in town as well as a great experience with the wonderful hosts, Joe and Rey, in their beautiful setting.
We’ve, been there several times. My wife Pamela and I have never been disappointed. We’ve introduced many friends and will probably continue to add more to the list.
If you’ve not been, want something creative and to experience wonderful exotic flavors, you must try it and you won’t be disappointed. Cambodian is not as hot as Thai food can be, but you can choose your heat, Rey will be happy to accommodate. But the flavors will surely give your tastebuds a whirl.
My most recent outing featured Salmon Kymer Style and, while I’ve eaten a lot of salmon in my life, I have to say this was the best I’ve ever had! Magnificent flavor and cooked absolutely perfectly. Pamela had the Sea Bass with lots of dipping sauces and was not disappointed.
Don’t worry about choices. There are over 16, including chicken, beef, duck, and of course seafood with shrimp, sea bass and salmon; and several choices for you vegetarians also. All entrees come with Spring Rolls (chicken or vegetarian) Asian Salad, Premium grade Asian rice, dessert choice of Chocolate torte with ice cream or Saku banana and ginger or maybe a special from time to time.
Also included is an Exotic Cocktail or glass of wine. And you can try to challenge Joe who has become an excellent bartender extraordinaire.
Try it soon for a unique experience. You won’t be disappointed.
MARSHALL: Rey and Joe have a beautiful home, the downstairs of which is fashioned as the restaurant. The four course meal, with wine or cocktail and coffee or tea, is an ample gourmet meal, prepared deliciously and attractively using authentic, healthy methods. Very well priced for the entire experience. The beef dish in the photo uses the finest lomo fino available, and is extremely tender, and any of the other main dishes we’ve had are ample and spiced perfectly. And such a beautiful and quiet space very near Parque San Sebastian, everything about the experience makes Rey’s an unforgettable experience!
Recommendation for cooking with Rey- Cambodian restaurant
If you want an experience out of the ordinary, then you must go to the “Cooking with Rey- Cambodian restaurant”. The setting is in a beautiful home on Coronel Talbot near San Sebastian Parque. The hosts, chef Rey and her charming husband Joe, quickly make you feel comfortable and at home.
Each meal of Southeast Asia origin consists of an appetizer, soup or salad, the entree, wine or another beverage of your choosing, and dessert. The food you will agree tastes absolutely delicious and is presented ever so artistically. There I relaxed- satisfied and content, thinking about the next time I will go back there.
Address: Coronel Talbot, near Parque San Sebastian
Contact information: whatscooking@mailsam.com 099 544 3977
Recommended by Luisa Nelson: lnelsonjoy@yahoo.com
Comment
100% agree! Both Rey and Joe are wonderful hosts.
We went there yesterday for lunch (3rd time for me) and I finally got my duck! Fabulous! Wonderful leftovers to take home. My honey (who is a celiac) had a surf and turf meal with NY steak and salmon. Rey and Joe make sure that his food is OK for him to eat, which is greatly appreciated. The icing on the cake was finally getting to try the Cambodian dessert. Oh my was that good! Wish I could post pictures…
This has become our favorite place for a special meal when we are in Cuenca. I have already try the sword fish, the salmon, and now the duck. The egg rolls… wow. Those are such a great appetizer! The fried rice is a must try too. And Joe makes a chocolate tort that needs to be called “Death by chocolate”. So good and rich! Heavenly for a chocolate lover and Gluten Free!
Everything is made fresh as ordered; takes times and it is certainly
worth it. We do not go there in any hurry. The portions are plentiful.
The course is just perfect.
Chef Rey has come down and say hello and check in every time I have been there. It is so nice to get such personal attention!
The place is spotless clean, lovely decorated, and very “homey”. It is such a pleasant relaxing meal experience. We plan to return with some very dear friends next time around. It is just such a wonderful experience, that we want to share it with them!
Recommendation for Cooking with Rey…
excellent, Cambodian-style restaurant
Rey’s husband and gracious maitre d, Joe, welcomed us into what must be one of the most beautiful, surprise settings behind the unstated elegance of the upscale entrances on this quiet street near San Sebastián plaza. And, that was the beginning of our 2 ½ hour culinary adventure. Brisk gin and tonic (real tonic and Bombay Sapphire), sweet and spicy shrimp, well done (in many ways) thick sea bass filet, and traditional Cambodian dessert. Opened 8 weeks ago, but with the ambiance and cuisine of a well-established “must eat there” restaurant with a bright future.
Contact information: whatscooking@mailsam.com
Recommended by Bob Elliott: rpsbob@icloud.com
Recommendation for Cooking With Rey, restaurant
At the restaurant, Cooking With Rey, on Sunday afternoon was a delicious introduction to the art and taste of Cambodian cuisine. The “home restaurant” in San Sebastian Plaza is most attractive, with pleasant music, the collaborating atmosphere of co-owner Joe, and cooking done by Chef Rey.
Reservations are necessary, meal choices are limited, but superbly prepared. We plan to return!
https://cookingwithrey.com/?page_id=109
Contact information: 099 544 3977 Recommended by Linda Wooten Green: 098 732 3044
Luisa Nelson: Thank you for making my birthday so special and memorable. My sea bass was delicious from beginning to end! The dessert absolutely grand AND the special drink was out of this world! To top it off, you were both two of the most welcoming and friendly hosts. Muchisimo gracias.
Recommendation for Cooking with Rey: By Cindy Benson Oh.. my…my…my… let’s talk about Cooking with Rey! An authentic eating experience of Cambodian Southeast Asian food prepared with such attention; you can taste the love! Seriously! Rey and her husband, Joe, have opened up their home and the invitation to come in and participate in a first-rate dining experience is beyond comprehension. Try it, it’s highly likely you will return again and again.
Suz: I had the pleasure of having a meal yesterday with Rey (sweet/spicy chicken – entree). I have never eaten Cambodian food before. It was the best meal I’ve had in Ecuador during the 8 years I have lived here. Amazing experience, not to be missed.
Jennifer Hunter: This is a unique experience that adds something special and unparalleled in dining choices in Cuenca. I loved every hour I was in the space – last night, in fact, at the very table shown above. The food was exceptional and Rey & Joe were the perfect hosts – attentive, conscious, and respectful. Just try it one time, and I know you’ll want to share the experience with your friends and return again and again.
Chef Sreymom; Jennifer thank you so much! We enjoyed being your hosts and look forward to seeing you again.
Joe: The food is outstanding and I highly recommend it. Ambiance is very nice with very nice lighting and great mood music. Treat yourself and you will be back!
Chef Sreymom; Joe, thank you sir, it was our pleasure. Looking forward to seeing you again!
MK: Chef Rey and Joe are such fabulous hosts! I went alone the first time for lunch and had the swordfish. Had to share the experience with mu hubby, as it was so good! They made us feel welcomed and accommodated my his dietary restrictions as a celiac, while I got to enjoy Chef Ray’s wonderful food once again. And I got to eat his egg roll, LOL
The place is beautifully lovely and the atmosphere very welcoming. Both times met some nice people in the dinning room.
This time I had the salmon. Also try the fried rice. Found it to have a very nice soft delightful flavor.
We will definitely be back!
Adrien Winger: Rey’s food is very delicious! I would highly recommend making a reservation. Great atmosphere and special food made with love!
Chef Sreymom; Thank you so much Adrien we very much enjoyed your company.
Recommendation for Sreymom Un (Rey) Cambodian Chef, restaurant.
By Greg Goodwin
Calling all Foodies!
Have you ever had Cambodian food? The real deal? Want to try some with an awesome Cambodian chef? Joe (the bartender) and Sreymom (Rey) Un have turned the downstairs apartment into a beautiful dining room and Rey is knocking it out of the park.
Pamela and I with 3 other friends sampled her wonderful cooking the other night and it was truly magnificent. A gastronomic outing! Several courses including Spring Roll appetizers, a wonderful Asian salad and Premium grade Asian rice. The choices for the main courses included, Sweet and spicy chicken with lemongrass, Fish Amok (premium Seabass fillets), a vegetarian dish and I had the Cambodian style baby back ribs.