Satrey Khmer Online

Talked to my grandma on the phone. I don’t get to see her much or talk to her that often but every time I hear her voice I feel so bless.  My grandma is 90 years old and has lived through happy time and sad time Cambodia. She had 12 children, lost 10 during the war and now only two left. Tragic war has left her heart wounded but for some reason, she refuses to talk about war, about her lost family, about sad Cambodia. She wants to share with me about the true HAPPY CAMBODIA because that how she grew up, it was a great country. She was one of the historic person who lived through the jewel Cambodia. Fun, rich, no crime, prosperous, homogeneous society, very modern and there so many intellectuals. There were high social status, high class and high moral. She said when westerners and foreign theories invaded Cambodia, everything torn apart and became a  senseless society. Cambodia lost so many lives and land. Greed and power over rule all mighty.

My grandma said to me “chao srey yeay, chao khom rean nah chao! kom plich jouy srok komnert robos kluan” (My granddaughter, study hard, do not forget to help your birthplace). Yes of course grandma, Kampuchea will always be in my heart. :)  

My grandma is an old chef. She can cook authentic Cambodian dish. Even at the age of 90, her mind is free and clear. She still remember all traditional recipes. She can cook very well. Her food is truly amazing. She said Cambodia food has lost it’s original taste and creativity after war, most of it because of survival, people eat whatever they can find. Traditionally, Cambodian food is not just base on taste but look as well, taste and art decoration must be coordinated. “La`aw merl, la`aw hoap (Looks good, taste good).  Cambodian flavor has migrated throughout the neighboring countries, she hopes that Cambodian children will help revive ancestral food. The use of lemon grass, kaffir lime leaves, basils, fish sauce, prohok, coconut milk…etc. are the root of Cambodian cuisine.

bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbccc