Guests say

"Great atmosphere, like being in a friend's dining room. Soft jazz music in background. Good selection of food ( not spicey unless you like spicey)."
Anonymous — 'Great Multi-course Home Cooked Meal in Cuenca', May 2025 (FRIENDS)
"Cooking with Rey excels in ambiance, service, and food. 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!"
Donna A. — Jun 2024 (friends)
"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!"
Greg Goodwin
"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. (also appears attributed as Marilyn Cochran)
"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!"
Anonymous — two-year anniversary comment
"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."
La Guarida (collaboration announcement)
"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, FAAN
"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!"
Leroy Kent, 'The BBQ King'
"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!"
MARSHALL
"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."
Luisa Nelson
"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!"
Anonymous (reply agreeing with Luisa Nelson)
"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."
Bob Elliott
"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!"
Linda Wooten Green
"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."
Luisa Nelson (birthday thank-you)
"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!"
Cindy Benson
"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."
Suz
"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."
Jennifer Hunter
"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!"
Joe
"Rey's food is very delicious! I would highly recommend making a reservation. Great atmosphere and special food made with love!"
Adrien Winger (Chef Sreymom replied: 'Thank you so much Adrien we very much enjoyed your company.')

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