Chez Sovan in San Jose

Total hole in the wall. The kind of place you have to seek out but totally worth it. Authentic Cambodian food from a family that has been serving food here since 1987. The Amok and ginger fish were delicious. Highly recommend, only open for lunch, there is a parking lot across the street.

This is authentic Cambodian food.. It tastes just like it does in Cambodia. The atmosphere is very friendly and welcoming the food is fresh And prepare correctly. It feels nice to sit down and enjoy a meal and speak a bit of khmer language after living in Cambodia for nearly 4 years. This will definitely be one of my regular lunch spots from now on Im happy I tried just place out

Pretty good food in an unsuspecting location.

I have dined in this small place more than 10 years. Menu does not have many items but each dish were cooked with authentically taste.

I was one of the first people in this morning and Brian greeted me right away and as personably as an old friend! The Amok with the side of (delicious!rice was just the protein/carb combo I needed for the big bike ride I was planning today. Well I guess it did the trick as I did 75 miles from downtown to Walnut Creek!! The flavors in the Amok were so refreshing and the fish was as fresh as you could hope for and not one second over-cooked. Should be Michelin recommended!!

Food is good! The owner is super friendly!

Great staff and food, good pricing

Always amazing food!

This is such a great hidden gem. Service is great, chef is nice and welcoming. We had the chicken curry and Amuk. Sooooooo delicious. Did I mention fast service and great prices!

Food is amazing, wonderful taste & staff always fun!

I would give it more stars if I could. The food is absolutely delicious. But even more impressive is the hospitality. The chef is the friendliest person I have met. He makes everyone feels welcome, cracks jokes, and make it more than just a meal but an entire experience. This is one of those places that you definitely need to visit.

#Grateful in HawaiiI was able to meet the owners today I cant imagine how much love they put into their food and their cooking I am definitely adding this to my list of places to visit Im giving them a 5-star review based on their energy there love and passion for what theyre doing

# g r a t e f u lJust met the owners at a breakfast place in Hawaii. They were so cool, talking with me and sharing in their morning. Based on the experience it is no surprise their restaurant has an almost 5 star rating. I cannot wait to visit san jose and eat there.

Shady location, but seriously delicious food. I was recommended to this place and I love it. My favorites are their ginger fish and the amock is so tasty. I’d highly recommend this location, especially if you’ve never tried Cambodian food.

This place is awesome. The service, the food, the amok (steamed catfish).The only issue I have is that they arent open as long as I wish they would be; theyre only open 2.5 hours a day. Try this place out, you wont regret it.

Everything about this place is absolutely great! Well I guess, I could wish for longer hours but its not a deal breaker. This is definitely a hole in the wall joint only open for 2-3hrs every weekday for lunch. Ive already almost had everything on the menu by my second visit, and I have to say everything Ive had is good.Three dishes stand out to me more than the rest, the Amok, grilled ginger fish, and stir fry noodles. Personally, Ive never had anything like the Amok and after having it here, Ive been missing out. Grilled ginger fish is easily the best thing they serve here, a must order every time. The stir fry noodles remind me very much of pad thai and I quite like it, especially the noodle texture. One other game changing tip, you must ask for fish sauce + chili (its def spicy). Huuuuge game changer.The owner is extremely polite and energetic with every customer. Makes the dining experience that much better, he has also hooked it up with some extra curry when we asked to box up our leftovers! Just a small gesture, but something I always appreciate and remember.

Nice service, but the food are too sweet in general. Amok (fish in banana leaf, favorable and sweet toois the specialty here but not my cup of tea. Chicken kabob skewers are burned..

Thank you for cooking the best Cambodian in the bay. My husband knew we have been missing it and surprised us with take out! Still good food and good service!

Very delicious Cambodian food, reminded me of what I used to have in Cambodia! We ordered for take-out during Covid-19, theyve reduced the menu to limited version only, so we got Chicken kebab (Sach Ang in Cambodian language), chicken curry and ginger fish (Trei jean juon).Everything was very tasty!

Got a takeout order on Friday. I called in then arrived twenty minutes later; my food was already bagged up and ready for me.They had hand multiple hand sanitizer dispensers all around the counters.The amok is the best! Highly recommend it. I also got ginger fish.

Came here during the lockdown for takeout.Seems counterintuitive but it always feels like the hole-in-the-wall restaurants have the best food. Chez Sovan is no exception. They have some amazing dishes including the Amok (fish wrapped in banana leafand Chicken Curry.Oh, the owner is a character and I love to support good people.

Delicious lunch! Loved this place and the authentic food. The service was great too. Does not look like much from outside but so worth coming in. Only open for lunch and gets busy so get there early. Make sure you try the skewers...they were so good. All the food is great. Definitely worth a stop! Will be back

Very generic Cambodian restaurant. Every dishes are very good. Owner is very polite and friendly. They only open for weekdays lunch and close on weekends. Highly recommend.

Never had Cambodian food. I love the southeast Asian flavors. Fish sauce and coconut milk. Steamed fish cake and eggplant dishes were delicious. Great execution in homestyle cooking. Nice service. Luckily work nearby, so I plan to go back soon. Looks like you can park in the open lot across the street when you turn in from Oakland Road.

Always great food. We always ask the waiter to just pick a selection of food for us and its always delicious. One of my favorite places for lunch. Be sure to get there early, they fill up fast and have a short schedule.

Yum as always! Great Cambodian food played straight-up ... no extraneous ingredients or presentation just food as your favorite Cambodian mom would make!

Wow, amazing food. Never had Cambodian food but after tasting this place I have such a high bar for Cambodian food ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is a quiet little restaurant and with a blink-of-an-eye you could pass it however Chez sovan is worth stopping for. The staff there is very friendly and the authentic art and artifacts around that restaurant are very interesting. But the best part is the food. Their stews, the curry, the amok are just some of the wonderful dishes you will find here at this restaurant. And if you are there during the lunch they have some wonderful lunch specials. I need thee every day if I could.

Hole in the wall place for awesome Cambodian food - amok, lemongrass chicken soup and ginger fish are a must try. The proprietor Brain is a funny guy who always cheers you up with his upbeat persona.

A friend recommended us to stop by...the food was excellent! You can definitely taste the Cambodian flavors. My favorite was the eggplant dish. Food came out quick! No wonder the place was full on a Thursday afternoon. Definitely will be going back. Made me miss all my Cambodian friends.

Consistently great food. Quick friendly service. No atmosphere, but thats not what people come here for. Ive been coming here for decades and love the flavorful dishes. I know of no other Cambodian restaurant in the area that comes close to the quality and consistency of the food here. Would give 5 stars if atmosphere and location better.

Tried the curry and fish Amok. Lots of fish options. Quite tasty and flavorful. Will have to try the satay next time. A little on the pricey side. Gets busy, but overall fast and efficient service.

Most excellent and tasty lunch dishes! Limited menu, but I think they just perfected those few dishes. The host /owner is very friendly and hilariously entertaining.

Very good and tasty food.Enjoyed their Amok, skewered chicken and hot/sour shrimp soup.Parking was a bit difficult for someone just going there for the first time, other than that its all good.

I love the food at this Chez Sovan. We had been beef kebabs, harmok, ginger fish, and stir fried green beans. Everything was delicious. The only complaint is that the food is a little bit pricey which decided the four stars instead of five review.

Been going here for over two decades and the quality is just as consistent as the first time I came here. Amazing Cambodian food - parking can be a bit tight but usually OK if you get there early for lunch (oh and the place is only open for lunch).

Very tasty and well presented meals. Enough quantity and delicious at a good price. Staff people are so nice and helpful. I plan on going back soon.

Yummy food and excellent service. Parking is limited and storefront is ugly but step inside for Cambodian cuisine. Lunch only.

Love this place. I dont get to always eat here since they are only open for lunch, but when I do, I savor it! Truly on of San Joses hidden gems. The food is fresh and delicious. The service is always amazing too.

A small place, awesome owner, great food. Might want to call ahead of time when its not a typical work day. Sometimes hes closed.Chicken skewers, the curry, and green bean beef are my go-to and never tried anything different because those are 👌🏼 💯

Great hole-in-the wall Cambodian food restaurant. Their chicken kabobs are off-the-hook delicious!! I always have 3 or 4 chicken kabobs and a small bowl of steam rice.

Amazing food and service. Everything Ive tried has been delicious, but my favorites are the hot & sour soup (with shrimpand the amok. Can make anything here super spicy by asking for the fresh chili.Every time Ive been here the owner is waiting tables. Hes hard working, friendly, and hilarious.Really cant go wrong here.

They are famous for their Amok. Often run out before they close. It is awesome. The chicken sticks are great. The string beans are great. The curry is a nice sweet variety. Been coming here for years. Awesome place for lunch. Limited hours, during the week and for lunch only. Friendly and funny owner.

Ive never had a bad dish here! Curry chicken melts in your mouth... Its a hole in the wall and a little rough around the edges (appearence), but that just keeps the masses away and gets me a quick seat when Im hungry!

The best authentic Cambodian food in San Jose! Dont get this place mixed up with the one in Campbell, theyre in no way affiliated with one another. The owner, Brian, is super friendly and funny! Food is amazing here...their most popular (which you can also buy frozen for togois the Amok (steamed fish in curry coconut wrapped in a banana leaf). Love everything else as well! Stir fried noodles, skewers, green beans, you name it. Driving by on Oakland Road youd probably overlook this place if you didnt know what youre looking for. Theres a small parking lot across the street but, again, its TINY and you literally have to reverse out of the lot if theres no open spots bc its a straight in and out lot. I really wish they were open for dinner and on weekends as well. Always a full house everytime I come here!

I really liked the place. We got the amok, beef green been, and chicken yellow curry. All were really juicy and tasty.

Amazing hole in the wall. Have been going here for years for lunch. Great amok. Excellent fish stew. The owner is friendly and funny. He has maintained the quality of his food over so many years. Wish it was open nights and weekends. Do not be fooled by the exterior. Go inside and enjoy the food. Go early for lunch or you will have to wait a bit.

My review is base on a take out order. Ordered amok since all the fellow yelpers suggested it, it was pretty good and flavorful but not my cup of tea. I also ordered the stir fried noodles with beef. Its really good! Similar to a pad Thai. Next time Ill be sure to try their curry; someone in the restaurant ordered it and it looked/smelled so good! The owner was very nice also!

Chez Sovan is a hole-in-wall Cambodian restaurant, and is only open M-F, 11am to 1:45pm.Went here with a coworker not too long ago. Server and owner are very friendly. We got three dishes, amok trey, chicken curry, and ginger fish.Amok trey is my favorite Cambodian dish! It has a very unique taste; its fishy from the catfish, with a strong curry taste.Chicken curry wasnt spicy as most Thai or Indian curry dishes are, but the taste of coconut milk was there.Ginger fish was something my coworker and Ive never had before, its a very unique dish! Fried fish with ground chicken and fish sauce.

As always. This place never disappoint my hungriness.The wait is long but its totally worth it.Food price range is average $10 each but I really dont care. Thats how good the food is.And the owner is the server too. Hes the nicest and funniest guy! Makes me laugh all the time.Dont judge it by its ghetto cover. You will be amazed.LOL! The food is so good I keep wanting to write more review everytime I come home after eating there.