Sweet place. Food is fresh, delicious and nicely presented. We started with an app of dumplings before ordering the Loc Lac and the Laab Beef. The dumplings were delicious and the Loc Lac was great. The Laab Beef was also good but it was much spicier than we expected. We look forward to coming back for another meal. here.
(4)
David M.
a real mixed bag -- first, the food. My son and I got the drunken chicken -- very good, but really heavy on the hot pepper. I wish they had told us ahead of time (no mention in the menu), but still good. I'd go back for that (and ask for it a little more mild). My wife got one of the vegetable soups -- it looked weird and tasted even weirder. She loves vegetarian food and eats almost everything, but this was really not good. Now the ambiance -- first, we were there around 7:30 PM on a Friday night, and were the only ones there. It's really not a good sign when you walk into a restaurant on a Friday night and it's empty. But here's the kicker -- they have a TV over the bar (not sure why, no one is there), and it was on while we were eating. Half-way through out meal, a second customer comes in, sits all the way by the window (far away from the bar), and tells the waiter to turn UP the TV loud so no one could hear his conversation....and they DID IT! So here we are, sitting near the bar, halfway through our dinner, and they're cranking out some stupid sitcom on the TV. The didn't have the balls the tell the other customer "no", nor did they have the common sense to ask us if it was OK. We came in for a nice leisurely dinner -- if I wanted to eat in front of a blasting TV, I would have stayed home and eaten in my living room. Obnoxious customer - yes, but way to drive out your other customers.
First impressions as I pulled into the parking lot of the restaurant was "is this a restaurant?". It looks a lot more like a legal practice or chiropractors office from the outside. Went inside and to your right, there's a hallway that leads to the bathroom. This is good because the bathroom is out of sight of the main dining area which I love. I came inside and sat myself down since the hostess wasn't anywhere to be found... but I'm not a small child who needs to be told what to do. She came out of the back kitchen area and upon noticing me sitting there, asked how many menus I needed. She then handed them to me and asked if I needed anything, to which I replied a couple of glasses of ice water. The ice water tasted great! I was so surprised! I can't tell you how many times I've been to a restaurant and the water tasted bad.. this had a clean, crisp taste to it. The service so far was excellent.. I have no idea what every bad review was talking about. I ended up ordering the drunken noodles (which the hostess recommended) and my brother ordered their Ox Tail noodle soup. The food came out SUPER FAST and it was hot. I can tell that it was fresh by tasting it.. I was very impressed by the speed and taste of the food as well as the service. Everyone talked about the "slow" service.. my experience made me question whether or not they had the Flash working in the kitchen! The atmosphere was great! I've been to a LOT of Khmer restaurants since moving to Lowell and this is the first one that felt modernized. The other places had that... unique Cambodian restaurant feel to it.. this place was clean, had a minimalistic decor thing going which I totally digged. It was like.. my dream bachelors pad.. that's my thoughts the whole time I was there. Now there were a few bad things that I noticed. 1. It was super cold... I guess it was because there wasn't anyone there at the time but a few other patrons. The second reason was that there was only 2 other people sitting down for a meal there and they were seated at the bar. Then halfway through the meal, two more diners came and the hostess seated them RIGHT NEXT TO US! I hate that.. it's like when you're in an empty bathroom stall and the guy comes to pee right next to you.. or you're in an empty theater and the only other person who came to see them movie sat in your comfort zone. I hate that.. but bleh.. I guess I'm just knit picking at this point. Overall, great restaurant. Loved the food and the atmosphere.
(5)
Leoss T.
There are so few Asian restaurants in the U.S that offer authentic Cambodian food , last night's dinner at Tepthida Khmer was an example of Cambodian cuisine being at your very own backyard. I enjoyed the "Salmon/Fish Loc Lac" and steamed dumplings, very tasteful straight to the memory!
(5)
Amy M.
Food was very fresh and service was exceptional. Great place to try some new things. Can't wait to go back.
(5)
Jeremy Y.
The environment is modern, bright and clean, nicely decorated. The staff and owner is quite friendly. The time we went it was pretty quiet but it was 9pm on a weekday. The food is pretty good. I can't say the flavor is amazing or anything, but they taste good and look pretty. It is probably a good place for a two person dinner. I would try more different dishes next time.
(4)
SR M.
Loc lac is solid but during a recent order they forgot the pineapple in my pineapple fried rice. I called and there was apparently nothing they can do. Why? According to the girl on the phone the person who took the order already left and the chef that made the food wasn't there. I supposed those are the two people that run the place. Give me a break. Customer service isn't that hard. Own up to your mistake especially if its $14 for fried rice.
(1)
Neil G.
Good food and great service. We were one of two tables at the time but the young server made sure the water glasses were never empty and came over often to check on us. Well decorated inside as well.
(5)
lillian M.
Wow. This was an amazing treat! I highly recommend every single thing we got!! The mango salad was particularly delicious. As was the drunken noodles, salmon noodle soup, and beef loc lac. Also the owner helped us select just the right variety and amount of food. The decor is beautiful and it was reasonably priced. And really delicious. Just so yummy!
This meal was delicious! We ordered the Cambodian drunken noodles, which came in a nice large portion and were quite tasty - they also came with sweet brown sauce and chili sauce on the side if you wanted to add a little jazz to your plate. We also ordered trei amok, which is fish, steamed coconut with milk, and khmer seasonings in a banana leaf cup, served with fresh cucumber, a garnish of cilantro, and red peppers. It came with a nice side of white rice. The fish was flavorful and tender, and the coconut sauce was AMAZING! We didn't really eat the rice, but after finishing the fish we poured the remaining sauce on top of the rice and it was absolutely delectable. I gave this place a 4-star rating because the food was really quite good. However, we were quite disappointed with some of the service interactions. We arrived at 9 pm (they are open until 10 pm on Mondays) and the restaurant was empty except for one person. The hostess/server made a comment about how they were closing soon when we walked in, and seemed irritated. We were then led (deliberately) to a table on which the paper cover was clearly still dirty from a previous diner. This made me kind of livid, but at that point I didn't think it was worth saying anything. After sitting down, the server gave us about 2 minutes before asking if we were ready to order (we have never been to this place so weren't familiar with the menu). We felt rushed, but told her that we would try to make our choices as quickly as possible. Then, about half an hour into our meal, a (Cambodian) couple walked in and were greeted joyously by the same host/server that had given us a hard time. This was quite disappointing, considering our interaction with her previously. Over the course of our meal, the server seemed to warm up to us a little bit with our ample praise of the food, but in general I was left with a bad taste in my mouth from our first impressions of her. Not sure I'd go back considering there are so many options for Cambodian food in Lowell, but I wouldn't completely rule it out.
(4)
Steve P.
We went to this place just to check out the new place in town. We were both very, very pleased with our experience! Much like the prior reviewer wrote, this is a restaurant that you would think would be in downtown Boston than in Andover, because typically you can't much in the way of (good) "ethnic"cuisine. We went Sunday afternoon around 3:30: at such an odd time in the middle of August, it was no surprise there was only one other group of people there dining. Fortunately, this also equated with outstanding service by the waitstaff as I had hoped (I've been in places before with very few diners and still had horrible service). We were not rushed, and the service was neither too quick nor too slow, exactly how I like it. I started off with a Cucumber Martini, which was just as refreshing on a hot summer day as I'd hoped it would be. My husband (Mike) ordered a Zombie, something he'd never had before. He's a lightweight, so when he tasted it, he realized what I warned him about: every zombie I've ever had is mostly alcohol with a hint of fruit juice. So, it was too strong for him, and he sent it back. They were completely gracious about this, and of course didn't charge us for it. His next drink was simpler, and fine. Their drinks list is ok, and exactly what I'd expect from a place like this: decent, with popular styles, and something for every palate in their wine and beer selection, some cocktails generally found in Chinese restaurants, and some of their own concoctions as well. Their menu is extensive, and eclectic to say the least, a blend of Cambodian, Japanese, Chinese, and Korean dishes. I had their "Hot Volcano" appetizer, and it was delightful! A mixture of scallops and crabmeat (real crabmeat, might I add!), over sushi fish rolls. It was served promptly, yummy, and displayed quite well. Mike had the appetizer special, but blushingly, I must admit I forget what it was! But, I do know he said it was outstanding. For the entree I had what they called their "Happy Family", a combination of beef, chicken and seafood with veggies in what they called a "brown sauce." It was outstanding! It's hard to make such a meal correctly in my experience, because the ingredients take different times to cook, so timing is essential: otherwise, you get overcooked seafood, under-cooked chicken, and beef cooked appropriately, all mixed together in soggy vegetables. But, this couldn't have been better. And, the presentation, I must say, was great, it was served in a crispy bird's nest, and so beautiful, I didn't want to eat it, just stare at it! Mike had the Pad Thai. The flavor was fine, but the noodles were slightly overcooked, turning them somewhat mushy. Although we were told they were known for their sushi, we didn't try it, other than the rolls that came with my appetizer, which were very good. But, we'll be going back, and will go with their sushi this time. Overall, I think it is a great restaurant, and an excellent addition to the restaurant selections in Andover, which aren't all that great, to be honest. Andover needs more restaurants like this one, so I encourage everybody to go and support this new business so it stays around. (And, I'm not on their payroll and don't know a sole person there, so I'm writing from a completely objective viewpoint.)
(4)
Sam G.
Excellent food, diverse menu, and generous portions at a reasonable price. Polite, attentive, and accommodating staff. Pleasant atmosphere, decor is gorgeous and the restaurant itself is always neat and clean. Easily accessible - has a parking lot, which is especially convenient with all the snow/ice making on-street parking difficult. Always a positive experience, would highly recommend.
(5)
Mike D.
Came here last night, place was empty but that's what you would expect on a Monday night. First of I really liked the atmosphere, very modern and inviting. Secondly the service was good (but i guess you would assume that being the only one in the joint). Food was super fresh and piping hot! We tried the mango salad, crispy rolls, chicken skewers, Loc Lat, and the Mee Katang. The Loc Lat really stood out, it was quite stunning in fact, I didn't want the experience to be over! So if you are in the area looking for great modern Cambodian food, stop looking and give it a shot!
(4)
Robo T.
Honestly the best Loc Lac I've ever had! It was amazingly delicious, the portion was big enough for two meals and the price was unbelievably amazing. The chicken version of sach ang sticks were awesome. The lemongrass marinade was so flavorful - no dipping condiment required. Will be going back!
(4)
Oun S.
There no point of address your staff member. No point of starting and comparing the different. The food was already been serve. I am definitely not toward on going there again.
(1)
Justin B.
Nice kind of off the map kinda place. At least for me. Very good food and presentation. I have never heard one bad word about it. Not too pricey and calm atmosphere.
(4)
Marie B.
I haven't had cambodian food this good since I was last in Cambodia. It's kinda tucked away a few blocks from the train station and not in the main downtown area. It's definitely worth the trip. Service was great, fast and informative when we had questions on the menu. They even adjusted my order of lemongrass stir fry to my spice tolerance. The price is reasonable especially considering the serving size is huge. Everything tasted fresh, good quality and authentic. They have take out as well. The sit-down area is really clean and comfortable. I can't wait to go back and try more of their menu!
(5)
Anna B.
I was looking for a good restaurant to try out in Lowell and Tepthida blew me away. The ambience is nice and the staff is delightful. I had the Sngao soup with chicken and the Loc Lac. Both were incredibly delicious. All the dishes my friend tried as well were excellent. I was amazed that this restaurant wasn't more packed when we came because they have some of the best food I've had in a while. I would certainly recommend this restaurant to anyone. I look forward on coming back soon to try more of their menu.
(5)
Thy S.
Pretty good place to eat, some larger proportion than I thought and the price is average. Barely anybody comes here and it's always empty. Service is good, atmosphere , and seems very upscale.
(3)
Carl C.
Great food! Very nice atmosphere. Bright, beautifully decorated in Asian decor, subtle Asian music in the background. We had the seafood ginger (I love ginger) , which came as a good size portion of shrimp, calamari, baked mussels, and fried fish , all on a bed of fresh lettuce, stir fried red peppers and onions, with lots of ginger. Very fresh and delicious (a bargain at & $14); and also the loc lac, incredibly tasty, well seasoned, tender cubes of beef (~$9 for a very generous portion). Will try to post pics. If this place were in metro Boston, you' d need reservations well ahead of time. Can't say enough. Highly recommend. Ps - great service.
(5)
Melissa J.
They have the best lok lac I have ever tried. Its a high quality piece of meat they use and its marinated perfectly. Their drunken noodles are just okay but I do appreciate the abundant amount of veggies in the dish. I have tried my friends' plates as well and can't think of a negative thing to say. If anything service can be much better if they had more than 1 server at a time.
(4)
Steve P.
My wife and I went the other day and really liked it. It's easy to get to, plenty of parking and the space is very nice. I ordered the Loc Lac, my wife had the special curry and we also had the drunkin noodles. The food was excellent and we will certainly return. The only reason I'm not giving it 5 stars is the menu is somewhat limited as I expected more offerings. That said it is worth the trip
(4)
Catherine W.
Delicious food. We ordered takeout, including beef loc-lac, seafood pineapple fried rice, and chicken druinken noodles. The bill totaled about $35 and the portions were generous. Service was friendly when we picked up the order. The resetaurant looked very clean and nicely decorated inside. I will definitely order again!
(4)
Josephine L.
Mmm...Cambodian food. This isn't the most authentic Cambodian place (some of the stuff has definitely been Americanized), but it is incredibly delicious and a good introductory place for people who've never had Cambodian food. We got: The Loc Lac (beef) - My boyfriend's favorite and the second favorite amongst all our party. Savory, perfectly grilled chunks of beef on a bed of salad with a to-die-for pepper dressing. The combination is incredible. GET THIS! Mee Siam - Not such a big fan of, if only because it wasn't all that exciting. Stir-fried rice noodles aren't all that unique to me, but this is definitely a good "light" dish to have for lunch. Amok - This is what I come to Cambodian places for. Does it get any more unique and delicious? Thick cuts of tender catfish in an incredible curry stew served in a bowl made of banana leaves. Wow wow wow! Hearty and delicious. Sweet custard coconut - They were out of the pumpkin, unfortunately, so we got this instead. Across the table, everyone agreed: the durian killed it. Why does durian exist, anyway? It's an abomination of nature and even nature itself doesn't seem to want living things to eat it, hence the spikiness. The sticky rice was great, but to have to get to it through the durian custard--blech! My boyfriend's coconut shake was also delicious. So delicious he wanted to get it at every place we went to after. Our waitress was adorable and friendly, and the restaurant is on the chic, modern side. If I lived in Lowell, I'd come here for date nights.
(5)
Rui W.
This is my first experience with Cambodian food and it was a great one. Like every Friday evening, I was searching for a new restaurant to take my family out to. I know there are a lot of Cambodian restaurant in Lowell, but because most of them a small and doesn't have website, so I cannot research before I go. Luckily Tepthida Khmer has a website with photos and detail description menu which made my research easy. We went their for lunch and the place is almost full (around 10 tables for 4 and a few for 2). It's decor is very modern and trendy, and the ambiance feels like a fusion bistro. Since I came prepared I placed the order quickly, for appetizers: summer rolls, mango salad with shrimp (large), and Khmer spicy chicken wings. For entrees: Loc Lac, Amok, and Butternut Catfish Curry. Because it was little crowded the order came little bit slow. Mango Salad with Shrimp came out first. It looks soooo tasty even before I put it in my mouth. The fresh mango strings are crispy yet tender, mixed with mint, basil, blanched shrimp, and fish source, the perfect balance of sweet and sour make you can't stop eat it. The summer rolls are similar to the Vietnamese restaurants. The Khmer spicy chicken wings are tender and tasty, but the flavor is similar to American Buffalo wings, interesting ... The Loc Lac is cubed beef tenderloin caramelized with a savory sauce of black pepper, garlic and mushroom soy. Served on a bed of shredded lettuce with a tangy lime sauce. OH MAN, this is GOOD. The beef has a grilled steak tip flavor outside and very tender once you bit in. Mixed with the shredded lettuce and tangy lime sauce, if they call this BEEF SALAD, I'll eat it everyday :) Amok is fish steamed with coconut milk, and Khmer seasonings in a banana leaf cup. It has a mild spicy flavor along with the aroma of the banana leaf. The Butternut Catfish Curry is fillet of catfish in a red coconut curry with green butternut squash. It's very mild and a very interesting combination of squash and fish. Not my favorite but I still like it. For desert I ordered the Pumpkin Custard (yea, I still got some room left). This is slice of pumpkin steamed and chilled, served with coconut flavor egg custard and topped with wiped cream. It surprisingly has a clean and refresh taste as to a lot of coconut desert are on the heavy side. This is definitely a wonderful experience and I'll sure come back with my friends.
(5)
Lyan K.
Walking into Tepthida Khmer, I was definitely impressed by the decor and the atmosphere. The restaurant is classy and unlike most of the other Cambodian restaurants in Lowell. The menu offered mostly classic Cambodian dishes, though there could have been more options to choose from. The waitress was helpful and very friendly, answering whatever questions we had about certain dishes. The durian shakes we ordered came well before the actual meals and was probably the best part of the meal. It was served with whipped cream and very delicious. However it was a long wait for our dishes and we were slightly getting restless. When the food finally did arrive, it was above average and satisfactory. The Loc Lac was probably the favorite but the trei chu em was also very good. Overall the food was satisfying; however the wait was too long to compensate for the meal.
(3)
Thavy L.
OK!! Idk wth happened ok but I am sOoooOOooOOooo disappointed... Different decor, where did all the beautiful art go?? Different waitresses that took FOREVER to serve u.. Why do I need to yell " Excuse me like 3x to get some asstistance?? Therefore that means they never came to check up on you.. Worst part is the food I ate there b4 was no longer good.. Everything was too salty... What happen?????????? New management and cook?? * Decor is bland now *Service sucks, even @ check out we had to go up to the register to pay and even then they took a long ass time to give us change.. SMH........ ***** Food sucks.. I'm sry but im just too disappointed ):
(1)
A T.
Sat lunch. Very empty, only two tables occupied. Not sure why as the decor is nice and the food was delicious. Try the LocLac, the pancakes and noodles. Hope they stay on
(4)
Alice P.
This place is so looked over now that Simply Khmer has come about. Food differs in a more refined manner than Simply Khmer. We had veggie egg rolls, papaya salad, grilled eggplant and the seafood ginger. Veggie rolls were perfect, fried at a higher temp so the veggies still had some crunch but crispy yum! The papaya salad had perfect balance of heat with a subtle sweetness and not fishy like some can be! The eggplant and ginger seafood was delicious as well. I even asked on prices for party platters! The ambiance and decor of this place is so relaxing and tables well spaced out. I think lunch here tomorrow is a must!
(5)
Cameron W.
I dined here with co-workers a few weeks ago, and enjoyed my dining experience here. This was my first time eating Cambodian food, so I don't remember the names of the dishes that we ordered. I do remember the one dish that was served in a half pineapple shell with rice, that was probably the best dish of the evening. But honestly, everything was very tasty and spicy. I love spicy food, so it wasn't issue for me. The restaurant was decorated nicely, and the service was "ok". There weren't too many customers dining that evening, so noise wasn't an issue. I'll be back.
(3)
Tiffany Z.
Very aesthetically pleasing decor and delicious, beautifully presented Cambodian food near the Lowell commuter rail stop. Check out the photos I posted (courtesy of one of my dining companions, Lou). The beef loc loc (cubes of marinated beef served with a citrusy sauce) and the amok (a curried fish dish with coconut milk served in banana leaves) were both very flavorful and my favorite dishes. Another dish whose name escapes me combined baguette and chicken into small patties and was also tasty. Finally, we sampled an off-menu soup that mixed a fermented fish paste broth with chicken -- I think this might be an acquired taste :) It certainly had a unique flavor profile but as a novice Cambodian food consumer, the soup wasn't quite up my alley. If you're looking for something you've never tasted before, however, I would certainly suggest this dish :) The staff was very accommodating and friendly to our large group of 14.
(5)
Arun M.
I'm Cambodian and it is my dream to own a restaurant and if I opened one it would be like this place, with some minor changes. The decor is nice, sorta business casual but not too fancy. The prices are very reasonable especially for the quality, I had the frog legs in a special lemon grass and herb marinade and it was delicious. We also got some stir fried noodles with chicken and shrimp. But what really impressed me was that they served Durian rice pudding. Most places would not have the confident to pull a move like that but this place is very confident because like me, they know it's delicious.
(5)
Susan N.
Not impressed. Not in the least. My friend and I walked in thinking "cute!" It really is a very cute place and would be appropriate for a first date if everything else were right. I've had Cambodian food in the past, though I'm not sure if my friend has. He was open to it, though. Too bad this is the place we picked. There was supposedly quite a choice on the menu. After being given some time, we settled on sharing a couple appetizers and dishes. The waitress then told us they didn't have several of the dishes and were lacking the ingredients. We then chose a few substitutes. Guess what? Yes, they couldn't make those either. They lacked so many of the key ingredients to many of the dishes. We finally just asked them what they did have. We were a little dismayed we didn't get our first or second or third choices. We ended up ordering the couple dishes they did have and let's just say there was many leftovers that neither of us were willing to take home. I wish I could tell you what the dishes were but I guess if you ask what they actually still serve, you'll know. If you're not going to stock your restaurant properly, why offer such an extensive menu? I've never seen a place so disorganized and it really took a lot away from the whole dining experience. I'd rather see you offer 5 appetizers, 7 dishes and a couple desserts and actually have the dishes on hand. To me, this is unforgivable and not worth a second visit, especially when there are a handful of other great Cambodian food establishments in the area.
(1)
Mick V.
Filed my 'review' under 'tips'. Great restaurant under an ambitious and bold chef/owner. More straightforward dishes, such as the salmon salad, were very well done; for the more adventurous, the pig intestine was sweet and perfectly cooked. Try the palm drink, too. And great value; 2 of us ate VERY well for $40, with enough leftovers for lunch the next day.
(5)
Matt K.
I had never been to a Cambodian restaurant before so, being ignorant as to which dishes to order, I took the advice of some other Yelpers. We both ordered small salads to begin. I had the Chicken Cabbage Salad and my friend had the Lotus Root Salad. Both were excellent and I had never tasted anything quite like those unique flavors that were in both of them. (Both salads tasted quite similar to one another.) The chicken was a bit tough but that was ok, I don't know what goes into the sort of cooking process for these dishes. For entrees we ordered the 'Lac Loc' and the 'Amok'. I am generally not a big fan of stewed fish style dishes but I enjoyed the Amok very much. Presentation was excellent and the flavors were again very unique. Everything was cooked to perfection, neither under or overcooked. The 'Lac Loc' continued to call to me from the plate to eat more long after I was plenty full. It amazes me how, though they share many similarities in their flavors and appearance, the different Southeast Asian countries' cuisine has such distinct flavor offerings from region to region. I felt that Tepthida was a great place for my introduction to Cambodian food. Atmosphere is nice as well. This is a very clean and well presented restaurant. The only drawback with its ambiance is that there is no carpeting so voices echo quite loudly in the room. Service was excellent as well and prices were certainly resonable. I'll be going back again, hopefully soon.
(5)
Richard C.
Great place for cambodian food! The ambience is elegant, the food is great, and the price is right. Portion size is generous, brown rice is available for those who wish that. I have a large appetite and we had a tough time finishing off two entrees and a papaya salad between my wife and myself.
(5)
Hrishikesh H.
I am writing this review after my second visit to this restaurant. I enjoyed the food here. We even got the free summer rolls when we mentioned yelp. In the first visit I tried Amok, It did not come in the banana leaf cup as described but it did not affect the exotic flavor of the curry. In my second visit I ordered Pad Thai. While ordering I asked them to make little spicy. But the the waitress may have forgotten to ask the chef. It is a great place with nice modern decor and delicious food. I will give them a five if they lift up their service a notch higher.
(4)
Anne D.
This is a really nice restaurant that could use a little more polish. The food was excellent. I don't have a lot of experience with Cambodian food, however it all tasted great. We got Drunken Noodles, Veggie Delight, and Spring Rolls. Service was warm, friendly and helpful. And, although I appreciate that they make things fresh, the appetizers came out well after we got our entrees. I would definitely go back and try additional dishes.
(4)
Kimyanny M.
the place is tiny, need more variety in their menu and the fried icecream is the best IN TOWN! Also the waitresses seems so ditsy when ever taking my order and they are always talking and laughing at the cash register... i dont know why this disturbs me but it did
(3)
Angel C.
This could've been a four-, maybe even five-star review, but the service ruined it. They were out of half of the stuff we ordered! I started by asking for a taro shake. They were out. The waitress suggested the coconut shake, but instead brought me a mango shake. Wtf? Good thing I like mango, and that shake was delicious!!! Slightly creamy with very good mango flavor. My friend ordered wine, and, out of about 10 different options on the menu, they only had maybe 3. She was pleased with what she got, on her THIRD try. Oh well. I got a curry soup with fish and an unknown starch, which was really good. 5 stars. I didn't see it on the menu, so maybe it's a special. It was GIGANTIC, though. There was so much soup, I could've bathed in it (ok, not THAT much). Definitely enough to share between two people. And that was the small! My friend liked the Khmer Tom Yum Soup, which I sampled, but tom yum soup is not my thing. For entrees, we got the beef Loc Lac, which was super flavorful and very peppery. 5 stars. I had also ordered the Trei Amok, but they were out! Super sad face!!! So instead we got the chicken Cha K'Nhei (ginger sauce), which unfortunately was just ok. Not an appropriate substitution for the missing Amok. For dessert, we decided to be adventurous and got the durian custard. First of all, the presentation was awful. It looked like the durian had thrown up on the plate. It should've come in a deep plate, not a flat one. But we overlooked that and ate away. It was my first time trying durian, and I think durian is an acquired taste. I wasn't a huge fan of this dish. It also felt pretty heavy because it came on sticky rice, and I'm pretty sure they mixed the durian with coconut milk (or does durian taste a little similar to coconut?), so we didn't finish it. If you're adventurous or you're already a fan of durian, try it. The waitstaff was very nice and friendly, even though they had to keep coming back to tell us they were out of what we had just ordered. It was weird because the place was only about a quarter full on a Friday night, and, at 7pm, we weren't there *that* late. Is it worth the drive from Boston? Well, where else are you going to find good Cambodian food?
(3)
C O.
One snowy day, i wanted some noodles, but it was a blizzard, and no one was open. drove around and saw that Tepthida was open. walked in and sat down, service was friendly and spoke khmer. the owner was also there and she's been my dentist since i was a kid, which was surprising. she had the sweetest smile. i sat and ordered the noodles and asked for the bread that Khmers usually eat with noodles. the waitress apologized and said that they didn't have any of that. i was really disappointed, but then the owner jumped in the convo and said she'll brave the cold wintry day to buy some from the shop across town...really? 10 minutes later, before the noodles were brought out, she was back with a case full of the said bread. that's service when the owner of the joint braves a blizzard for a meal that only cost $15. highly recommended.
(4)
Q S.
Tepthida has never done me wrong. Everything I've had here have been amazing. Their fish dishes are especially good. I enjoyed the ginger fish the most. I also like getting the Mee Tang noodles with fish. They also make other amazing dishes as well, including this soup thing with ground pork and veggies (forgot the name). Service is not bad but sometimes a drink or two will be forgotten. But it's totally worth it for the food and you can just give a gentle reminder.
(5)
David T.
Good food with above average service and a nice atmosphere. I started with an appetizer of fried baguette with chicken, peas, and carrots on top. There was a dark sauce on the side, similar to hoisin, for dipping. The name escapes me but this was excellent; sort of reminded me of an "inside out" croquette with a good mix of firmness and melted toppings. It was a bit greasy but then again aren't all tasty fried things? For my entree I had the beef loc-lac. Perfectly cooked morsels of beef sauteed in a flavourful dark sauce with some black pepper citrus juice on the side for adding more flavour. There was no gristle or bad pieces to the meat at all which is something I always look for in a restaurant; it was good quality meat for a reasonable price ($9.50). There is cilantro on top and I hate cilantro but it was easy to pick off and did not take over the taste of the dish as cilantro often does; another +. The waitress was friendly and attentive; water was constantly refilled and the food came out relatively fast. It was not too busy, with only 3 other parties (2 groups were ethnic Cambodians...always a good sign) dining when I was there, however everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. Also, I was alone (it was a lunch stop after doing errands in the area. haha) and felt no judgment from the staff about being a solo diner. Only complaint is that the parking lot was quite small so I had to park on the street but that was not too much of a problem. I suppose the fact that the Royal Cambodian Consulate is next door could have something to do with the full parking lot. Would definitely go back next time I'm in the area. Maybe with the bf next time as it has a nice decor for a dinner date. ^^
(4)
Brendan C.
This is a very hot and cold place, sometimes incredible, sometimes pretty bad. The first time I went a few years back it was a revelation. The pineapple fried seafood rice was delicious and impressive, fresh pineapple and shellfish served with rice and served inside of a hollowed out pineapple. The next time I went back the same dish was bland, served as a lump on a plate, and generally disappointing. The other problem I have is that while this restaurant has a nice atmosphere, it often seems to be deserted on nights when it should be crowded. This makes it awfully awkward when the waitress seems to be sitting at the bar just staring at you. All in all, give it a chance but remember that it could go either way.
(3)
Anne K.
Took my 12 y.o. adopted Cambodian daughter here --the owner came out and spoke with her, recommended dishes and gave her non-intrusive life advice! Plus the food was great. We especially liked the mee katang which we had dry.
(4)
M. M.
Cute place with very friendly staff. Not overcrowded. We had summer and crispy rolls, noodles, mango salad and fried rice. I was very impressed by mango salad and dorian shake. Dorian shake smells like gas... And it was actually good. I like the name of the restaurant too. I asked how to translate "Tepthida Khmer" and was told it means Women Spirit. I would recommend this place to my friends. They have authentic Cambodian food and really friendly environment.
(5)
David B.
Growing up near San Francisco, I was introduced to a wide array of Asian cuisine as a kid and young adult. After leaving home to go to college and start my career, I returned to the bay area in 1993. My partner and I dived into Asian food scene. Regional Chinese, Japanese, Indonesian, Thai and Vietnamese was at our beck and call. We were introduced to various facets of ethnic Chinese coking through one of our closest friends, a citizen of Taiwan. I initially thought accepting a job in Lowell would mean saying good bye to fabulous Asian food. Boy, was I wrong. Its been a wonderful to learn of and experience the vibrant Cambodian community here in Lowell. Tepthida Khmer exemplifies some of the best food the Cambodian offers in all of the Merrimack Valley. It the modern vernacular, this place rocks! I wasn't familiar with Cambodian cuisine, but there are elements that remind my of Vietnamese and Indonesian. Tepthida uses a wonderful selection of curries, coconut milk and fish sauce/paste. We started with grilled skewers of beef called Sach Ko Ang that were delicious and a portent of good things to come. The meat was delectable and nicely seasoned. Next, we had a soup called Samlah Kako. We choose to have it with fish. Of all of the food we had, we found this soup was our lest favorite. It had a very fishy/earthy taste to it that was quite a bit different from the Chinese and Vietnamese soups we had. Still, we were glad we had tried something new. Next, we had the red curry with pork. The sauce was a delectable mix of curry and coconut milk. There was enough heat to know it was curry, but it never over powered the other ingredients. Finally, we also ordered a beef dish that I don not remember. It was a nice mix of veggies and spice...very good! The portions are huge (we ordered too much) and make fabulous leftovers. Interestingly, when I wanted to order a dish listed on their menu as traditional, our waitress steered me to other dishes. The young lady thought that I would find my initial selections "too smelly" due to the fish paste. I am an adventurous eater....I look forward to coming back and diving into their "smelly" food. The dining room is decorated with a modern flair and is comfortable. The wine list is small but well chosen. Can't speak for the desserts, but I imagine they are good. We are thrilled that Lowell spots this wonderful establishment to its larger community of dining establishments. I hope Tepthida thrives and continues to introduce Lowellians to the wonders of Cambodian food. UPDATE: Returned with colleagues for a business lunch. It was just as good as our dinner from a few weeks ago. Good service matched with wonderfully preapred and tasty food.
(5)
Steve B.
Great Cambodian food with a nod to Thai cuisine. Very reasonably priced. Its a dollar or two more expensive than the many "hole in the wall" Cambodian and Vietnamese places in Lowell but it is the only real Cambodian restaurant in Lowell you could take a date to if want a second date. Don't get me wrong. You can find me at some of these other places without much trouble. I am a big fan of South East Asian food and count myself lucky to live so close to more than a few SE Asian restaurants that have great food and ridiculously cheap prices. Tephtida is a cut above these other places in a number of ways. Atmosphere & decor, cleanliness, presentation, level or service and especially the consistency of the food. I have tried most everything on the menu over the last 2 years and there is nothing I would not get again. My particular favorites are the Trey Amok, Loc Lak, Drunken Noodles, and the catfish curry soup (I can't think of what they call it on the menu.). They even have a Ribeye steak with french fries that I have not tried yet. Here is my best one line description of Tepthida.... A traditional Cambodian cook that went to a French cooking school. Try it you'll like it.
(5)
C B.
On a cold night we didn't want to go out--Tepthida Khmer delivers! Whats more, it was very good! The drunken noodles were excellent--we had asked for chicken to be added and they came with shrimp as well. The Loc Lac beef was very tender, very well spiced and excellent all around. I suspect that I am spoiled when it comes to Cambodian egg rolls as I have friends who make them spectacularly. Tepthida's were okay, but not fabulous--they just didn't have the crisp wrapping and flavors that I've had so often. Next time, we will try it out for the restaurant experience.
(4)
E N.
Great place....staff, decor and the food was delic...I was craving for some Cambodian food and I could ask to be more satisfy....I totally would recommend this place!
(5)
Chip C.
The two staple dishes for a Cambodian restaurant is noodle soup aka "katiew" and stir fried flat noodles "mee-katung". The katiew there was so salty I couldn't eat it. It was useless to ask for another one because I know it's coming from the same batch of soup. We had to ask the waitress for our chopsticks and spoons two times. Needless to say. Ditzy and clueless is harsh but I don't have any other way to describe them. Needless to say it was not a good experience. Go to more of the established Khmer restaurants of you want good food.
(2)
Kate S.
Great pad Thai, summer rolls and lotus salad. They were really accomodating in helping me get ready for a party and had everything ready on time and as requested.
(4)
Steve N.
we were there last night (Sunday), arrived around 5:30pm and there was only one couple there. just after we were seated two parties of six arrived and with the concrete floor the sound level really came up. i think this place would be Very Loud with a full house. we started with eth Kroch Chean (quail) and while it was pretty good it tasted like ordinary Chin-American chicken wings. we were looking for something more like Xinh Xinh's grilled quail. we also got for starters the Bok L'Hong (green papaya salad) which while decent didn't have the crunch of other versions we have had and the liberal amount of fish sauce used really changed the color to a muddy brown-ish green that wasn't too appealing, it was also lacking the diced prawns and peanuts cited on the menu. moving on to mains we had the Mee Cha which was limp, overcooked noodles topped with velveted and fried white fish in a sweet sauce that was pretty meh. next up was Drunken Noodles which was Very Good, wide, chewy rice noodles in a spicy sauce with a goodly assortment of veg and beef slices. the Loc Lac was a true standout for me, nice light crunchy coating, highly seasoned beef chunks with some yummy fat. and lastly we got the Prahoc K'tis and i'll agree that raw eggplant is something to get used to but the dipping sauce was Wicked Good, i'd eat this alone on some of their excellent long grain steamed rice. they have beer and wine. i had a couple Tsing Tao and the Chick had a glass of Turn Me Riesling that quite frankly tasted a little old, she switched to Bud light. they also pour a very week iced tea instead of water that my girl, who was not at the table when it was poured, remarked upon sitting "is their tap water brown?" the bill was $70 before tip. i'm looking forward to a return visit soon as Lowell is more in my near-'Hood than Boston.
(3)
Dennis P.
One time I ordered something that was called traditional. It smelled really awful. If anyone likes it, that has not grown up eating might want to steer clear unless you are fearless. The taste/smell from this item made me never want to order anything that said traditional on it. However, on another trip back, I tried one of their fruit shakes that was good, beef teriyaki sticks which were good, and I had one of the best desserts I've ever had, squash pudding. You must try it!! I didnt give five stars because I thought the service was below average.
(4)
M B.
If only the service had been better and the speciality dishes available it would have been 4 stars. We waited over 15 minutes to get menus, another 15 minutes to get drinks and water, another 10 minutes to order. The waitress (seemed to be the hostess/waitress) was pleasant but said "I'm sorry" as the standard. We ordered 3 appetizers, one soup and two salads for starters. Kruoch Chean (deep fried Quail) was good although the signature appetizer (Tepthida Crispy rolls) were just ok. . Mushy in the inside, not much flavor. The soup, Samlah K'tis , was probably one of the best parts of the meal. Sach Ko Ang (beef skewers) were good but arrived at our table 10 minutes after the rest. Problem was about 5 minutes after we received two of the appetizers and two salads the waitress brought out one of our entrees (Loc Lac, again a house speciality). We said, no we are still waiting for an appetizer and sent it back. OUR MISTAKE. Because this entree was served to us 15 minutes later COLD. All they did was put it on a shelf somewhere and then served it to us cold. A shame because the meat was flavorful. Another entree we tried to order MEE SLAM, was also not available as were NONE of the desserts listed in the menu except for ice cream. We were told their dessert cook left a couple months ago. So the food was fairly good but due to the service we will not be going back to this place. And since there are so many Cambodian restaurants in the area, probably won't be missed.
(2)
Katie B.
Update to my previous review: I returned to Tepthida Khmer just the other night and was beyong disappointed with my experience. It was bizarre to say the least. The waitress was snobby and inattentive. Their menu doesn't offer combination plates that offer a little bit of everything, but I was hoping for just a small side of rice with curry sauce. She immediately told me "no, we cannot do that". I didn't understand, but went ahead and ordered the chicken wing appetizer as my meal. She then said that she would ask the kitchen about the rice and returned to tell me that they could do it. Great--right? My fiance and I sat there in the restaurant when his appetizer came. I sat and watched him eat. My chicken wings came. He sat and watched me eat. His pad thai came. I sat and watched him eat. Halfway through his meal the waitress came out with a giant bowl of curry sauce, then quickly walked away. I was sure that my rice was coming, but it never came. Other tables around us were served and appeared to get their food all at once (unsure whther or not this is relevant, but every other table appeared to be of Asian descent while we were the only white diners there). When the waitress finally returned and I was given the opportunity to tell her that my rice never came, she actually had the gall to suggest that she had offered me rice when she brought out the curry and I had refused! She was completely unapologetic over our long wait, poor service, and her failure to bring me what I had ordered. No apology, no comp, no nothing. Needless to say, I may order food to go in the future (the very distant future), but I will never dine in this establishment again.
(1)
Mike S.
We stopped by tonight, trying someplace different than our usual Blue Taleh or Estogo for ethnic dinner. This place was a great surprise. The inside is very well decorated, the server was very helpful in suggesting dishes. She offered something off the menu when my girlfriend said she didn't eat meat. Overall a great experience. Its been in Lowell 3 yrs and I'm sorry we didn't find it sooner. See you soon Tepthida Khmer and I highly recommend it to others.
(4)
Melody S.
Went on a Sunday night with one friend. Had driven by a few times and it looked really interesting and different from the outside. It's a lot tinier on the inside than I had thought, and we seemed to be the only patrons, outside from one or two takeout customers, and some random hangers-around who came & left without eating anything. My friend and I were cold, and thought about saying something...then before we knew it, it warmed up! In fact, the server seemed to know our every thought! I finally realized, there are cameras in the dining room -- they were watching us shiver, examine the wine list, look around, point at the hairnet that had fallen on the floor when the server reached in her pocket for her ringing cell phone, etc. They probably even saw me glaring at the football game on the giant televisions, unless it's just a coincidence they switched to Asian music videos?? All that aside... The menu was varied, but we went with favorites (noodles; curry) and were both happy with our food. The wine list had many personal favorites on it, so when they were out of my first choice AND my second choice, it was ok. I'd definitely go here again, and branch out from safe favorites into new territory. I'll just keep in mind they're watching my every move!
(3)
Jimminy C.
This place was the best! So sad its now closed and out of business. Now I'll need to find another place to go for delicious. Cambodian food. - We miss you.
(5)
Mlai C.
I'm a 29 year old Cambodian and I do not recommend this restaurant. I hardly visit Lowell but when I do, I expect great Cambodian food as part of my experience. I have eaten at Tepthida Khmer many times before but not within the last two years. It was a Monday, I was there with my bf around the time it was open. We were greeted politely but as soon as we sat down, it just didn't feel right. The waiter came with two glasses but one had soap residue on it in which my bf pointed out and he was glad to get us a new one. I asked for hot green tea because it was listed on the menu. The waiter went to the other worker and I overheard her saying "we do not have green tea, not for a while now". I'm just wondering why he didn't come and tell me or offer me the jasmine tea instead. We ended up being waited on by the other worker and she took our order. We ordered beef skewers and trei Chua aum (sweet and sour tilapia). I went up to the register and asked for hot tea again while waiting for the food. Still, it took forever. ..Once the tea arrived, it was not even that hot. I was disappointed. She then brought out the beef skewers and I asked where is the pickled veggies that comes with it? She said that it went bad and they do not have any. Why didn't she mention this before? We are irritated at this point. When she brought out the tilapia, she said "enjoy". We asked if we could have some white rice and she said the dish doesn't come with rice but she'll get us some. She also took the plate with the beef skewer sticks that we have eaten and in the process, dropped the sticks on my bf. We then waited for the rice in which never arrived so we were tired of waiting and decided to just take the tilapia dish to go. We spent around $20 and I left a tip of $2. The food tasted fine, service was horrible, menus were faded and hard to read. I could hear the cooks in the back yelling at the first waiter, so unprofessional! I will never eat there again.
(1)
Diana K.
Our first experience with Cambodian cuisine and we're (two friends and I) definitely fans! Arrived on a Friday evening around 6 pm, the restaurant was dead with only one couple dining. The restaurant is modern, industrial looking and clean. We were greeted and seated immediately by a very nice young man. Our waiter came quickly with water and menus. We decided on two appetizers: the steamed dumplings (12 for $3.95 which is an amazing price) and the veggie summer rolls with a peanut sauce. Both arrived in a reasonable amount of time. Then we ordered dishes to share: the seafood ginger, veggie delight which we requested without tofu and they were very happy to oblige and we asked what dish was a "signature" Cambodian dish and our waiter quickly said the loc lac which could be selected in beef, chicken or fish accompanied by a salad with cucumbers, tomatoes and a delicious lightly sweet dressing. We chose the fish loc lac which is talapia. Brown rice was also served with out entrees. Everything was fresh, hot, not greasy and the spices were just right. The only reason we didn't rate it five stars is we would have preferred the fish to be grilled or sauteed and not fried. Our oversight for not asking how the seafood was going to be cooked. Though the restaurant was not busy during the time we were there, the dishes came out a bit slower than I would have expected for only having a few tables occupied. Not sure if the kitchen would be any faster/slower if the restaurant were full. Two appetizers and three entrees with tax before tip: $48. You can't be the quality and the price. We'll definitely be back!
(4)
Marie P.
Had the whole family here for my grandma's 77th birthday dinner a couple of weeks ago. It was a lot smaller than we anticipated but it was still able to accommodate 14 of us at the same table (smaller tables pushed together, of course). Since there were so many of us, we figured we'd have dinner "family style." We ordered 4 appetizers and 5 entrees -- we ordered two of everything. We actually still had boxes of leftovers between the 14 of us. Prices are decent and the portions are ideal for sharing. APPETIZERS: Dumplings Crispy Calamari Grilled Skewers Krouch Chean (Crispy Quails) ENTREES: Sweet and Sour Spare Ribs Laab Chicken Laab Beef Chicken Wings Chicken Pineapple Mango Rice Everything was delicious! Hard to pick a favorite. Thinking about it now, we weren't major fans of the Sweet and Sour Spare Ribs. There was hardly any meat on any of it -- it was basically flavored cartilage covered in sauce! The sauce was good though. The service was great, our glasses were constantly filled, and the staff was very courteous. The ambience was nice as well, though the place is a bit smaller than we thought, it's still good for groups. All in all, the food was delicious so we'll definitely come back!
(4)
Benz B.
Food is good. Out waitress is very nice. Good services and atmosphere. Definitely we will be back when were in town.
(5)
Apurva N.
This review is a bit overdue. I went here for dinner with a few of my colleagues, not knowing what to expect. We had never tried Cambodian food before and were excited to check it out. The food is really good! We all really loved everything we ordered. I had the Laab Chicken, which was my healthy choice meal. We also had the calamari, chicken skewers and the curry soup. Other members of the group ordered the Salmon and Steak dishes. There were some hiccups with the service and I assume this had something to do with regular staff not being able to come to work because of the crazy weather. The folks that did make it, however, were incredibly warm and welcoming. This attitude really helped us cope with our food arriving super late! Overall, the food here is really good and this seems like a great little family-run restaurant.The egg soda, calamari, and skewers were stand-outs in my mind. If you're in the area, check it out!
(4)
Jim K.
This is my first Yelp review, to be the first of many for sure, but I am no stranger to the restaurant scene. In my perpetual search for foodie authenticity, I tend to shy away from "fusion" restaurants in favor of smaller mom-and-pop places that are less shy about serving up exotic ingredients and flavors. Despite styling itself as the former, rest assured that Tepthida Khmer does work in distancing themselves from your typical fusion cuisine tropes. Having recently moved to the Lowell area, I've found myself in the midst of a Cambodian deep-dive, trying every possible hit that Yelp lists. It has been nothing short of love at first bite, and many helpings of loc lac, papaya salad, and kuy-tiev later, I like to think I've got a good feel for the local Khmer offerings. That being said, I've found Tepthida Khmer's food to have no shortage of flavor, serving up all the complexity and nuance you would come to expect from a more "traditional" restaurant. But I digress. Five stars need to be earned, so I will break my assessment into five parts: The Food: I've yet to be disappointed (or even underwhelmed) by anything I've tried here, and I've always come away with the impression that I truly ate authentic Cambodian. Tonight's entree was the trei amok, a Khmer fish curry dish served in a banana leaf. The flavor profile was delightful, with all the expected hits of coconut, lemongrass, chili, and plenty of umami to go around. The white rice (which can be upgraded to fried rice for $2, or substituted with brown for free) is also excellent. If you're a first timer, I highly recommend ordering the beef loc lac (lightly flavored and fried cubes of beef tenderloin, served with salad and rice), though you can't go wrong with anything here in my experience. The Prices/Portions: I find the prices to be very reasonable, no more than any of the other Cambodian offerings in the area. This might come as a surprise, since the atmosphere is so clean and modern, but I maintain that Tepthida is plenty affordable. The portion sizes are also excellent, and you absolutely get your money's worth - this has NOT been my experience with other fusion restaurants! Some of the appetizers are especially cheap, and while the $6 "small" soups may seem steep, they are actually bowl-sized portions that will fill you up. I don't generally order alcohol at restaurants, but the prices on the drink list seemed well within reason. The Service: I've received nothing less than polite, cordial, and attentive service in each of my visits here. The servers are happy to recommend their favorites from the menu (in clear, intelligible English), and you'll never have to worry about getting a re-up on ice water. They also know when to give you privacy, which isn't always an assured thing at restaurants of this smaller size. I've yet to see an unhappy patron here; on the contrary, one of the happiest ones was a lovely service dog that they had no problem accommodating. The Ambiance: Tepthida is a small restaurant with a cute little bar (maybe 8 or so seats) and no more than a dozen tables. The place is well-lit, modern, and exceptionally clean. Despite this, the restaurant tends on the sleepier side (even on a Friday evening), and nice, quiet dinners are par for the course. I would take a date here. The Accessibility: Tepthida is located right on the main drive of 110 heading into Lowell. There is a small parking lot right outside the restaurant that I've never seen anywhere close to packed. There is also ample street parking, even in the dead of gigantic frozen snowbank season. Honestly, as someone driving from Chelmsford, I find being able to get grub like this without making the trek into the heart of Lowell to be one of my biggest motivations for going. Overall, for what it is, Tepthida Khmer is nothing short of delightful, and has certainly risen to the upper echelons of my ethnic food haunt tier list. Highly recommended.
(5)
Vandana C.
Great food and excellent service. As a family of four with two vegetarians, we sometimes struggle to find good, healthy food that suits the omnivores and vegetarians alike. Tepthida Khmer provides excellent food for everyone in the family. The seafood options are always delicious. The noodles are also tasty and all of the vegetarian options are also great. This restaurant offers great consistent food with good service. So do your taste buds a favor and go get some great Cambodian food at Tepthida Khmer
(5)
Danielle F.
This was a pleasant surprise! I really enjoyed my meal here. Living in Boston, there are somewhat limited options for Cambodian food, so while in town for a concert at Boarding House Park, we decided to walk over here and check this place out. I came with a friend, whom I traveled to Cambodia with a few years ago. We had enjoyed our experience there and recall fondly that we thoroughly enjoyed the cuisine. The restaurant is about a mile from the parking garage adjacent to the concert venue. Walking in, there was only one table occupied around 6:00 on a weekday. The owner was filling in for the server as she was unable to make it that day. She was extremely friendly and later in the meal, upon learning that we had visited Cambodia, she provided an interesting story explaining the name of the restaurant and how she settled upon naming her restaurant. She also explained how a local created the logo for her restaurant, which is on business cards, menus, and the website. We were seated at one of the tables along the road, so there was plenty of light. The owner took great care in setting the tables with white tablecloths. She also found artwork from local artists to hang on the walls. It has a cool modern feel to it. We first started with a beer. There was a decent selection of beers including American, European, and Southeast Asian brands. There is wine by the glass, but must admit the prices on that looked a little steep. Otherwise, beers and food were appropriately priced. For a meal, we decided to share two entrees and got the summer rolls to start. The combination of the shrimp paired with cool cucumber and mint was a great way to start the meal, and reminiscent of things I had tried in Southeast Asia. We split the drunken noodles and the chicken lemongrass. Both were pretty substantial in size. I was expecting the drunken noodles to be a saucier entree, however it was drier than others I had previously sampled. That being said, it was still quite good. While both entrees were excellent, I did prefer the drunken noodles. It was a slightly spicier dish and had more veggies incorporated into the dish. If in town again and looking for a meal, I would not hesitate to return.
(4)
Emily P.
Great food and even better service. The salmon loc lac recommended by the owner was amazing and the chicken wings were one of a kind. Highly recommend this place.
(5)
Susu W.
Three of us went to Tepthida Khmer for lunch today. We ordered Natang, fried dumplings, Loc Lac beef and Loc Lac fish, and Crazy Noodles. Natang is chicken curry and coconut and it was so flavorful with crispy fried rice cakes. The dumplings were awesome and it was only $3.75 for 12, amazing price, you can't even get 6 for less than $5 in other places. Both of my colleagues have never tried Cambodian food before, and they love the Loc Lac and Crazy Noodles. They are offering a luncheon special starting at $4.99, their portions were plentiful. The flavors were just right and not too fishy! Sometimes, you get Southeast asian food that are too spicy and over the top, not Tepthida Khmer. Service was attentive and the ambience was a lot more upscale than some of their competition. Love their new website too, and found their information on my mobile phone. We will definitely go back again for more. A little secret in Lowell. Highly recommended.
(5)
Armani T.
This restaurant is my restaurant of choice when introducing clients, colleagues and friends who have never had Cambodian food before. Their beef Loc Lac is definitely a favorite and the go to dish I would recommend for a first-timer. It's actually my favorite Loc Lac in the city, and trust me, there's plenty of Cambodian Restaurants in Lowell, MA to compare to. The restaurant is very beautiful and clean. In regards to ambiance, presentation of their dishes and cleanliness, it's the best in Lowell. The staff and owner of the restaurant are all very friendly, however, I think the servers could be a bit more attentive. I see a lot of potential in this restaurant and I can only hope it does well. It's always very quiet when I go.
(4)
Shelly N.
Fantastic food all around. Owner made the recommendation to pair papaya salad with plain chicken wings, which was delicious; wings were perfectly crispy and juicy even without any sauce. We also had the pineapple mango rice, which was also amazing. It was not too oily, and the chicken and fruit were very juicy and not overcooked. The rice here and for the trei amok were both cooked perfectly right, and the trei amok was juicy and delicious. I can't describe the food in any way other than "perfect." Great and knowledgable service, friendly owner, I highly HIGHLY recommend this place!
(5)
James A.
Very good Cambodian Cuisine. The price is very fair based on the quality of the meal. Most low end places charge @ $8 for a Beef Loc Lac Meal. Here 12 and without a doubt worth the extra $4. Although small the place is very nicely decorated and clean. One issue they had literally no mood music or any music on at all.
(4)
Nicole B.
This place is great. The papaya salad is really really awesome. Also tried Loc Lac and one other dish (Seafood Ginger??) - both were very delicious. Atmosphere and location-wise, it's not as fun as going somewhere in Cambridge/Boston, but it's worth the trip up to Lowell.
(5)
Madelyn Y.
The staff and owner is very friendly. Prices are a little overpriced for Khmer dishes but I can see why. They are a upper scale Cambodian restaurant. The interior is nice and they do have a tv. I say it would be a good and nice quiet place for a date.
(3)
Anna I.
Tepthida Khmer has excellent food, ambiance, and service. The beef loc lac in particular is delicious, as other reviewers have said, but their other dishes are good too. It's worth mentioning that the white rice is perfectly cooked, as this can't be said of all Asian restaurants in Lowell by far. It's a little confusing to me how the restaurant always seems to be empty when I go, as the owners clearly put a lot of effort into decor and customer service, making it a great eat-in experience.
(5)
Laurie L.
Excellent Cambodia cuisine and our server Tori was excellent and very friendly and accommodating.
(5)
Jo J.
I give this a one star rating, not because the food was terrible, but because it literally took about an hour to get our food. We got seated right away - there were only 2 others seated, one family of 4, who were already eating and mother and son who received their food about 5 mins after we got there. The place was considerably dead for a Saturday night (that should've been a hint). First the waitress brought us our soup about 15 mins later (which was warm/cool, so I know it wasn't fresh). We waited patiently for the rest of our dishes, but time started to pass and my children were hungry so I let them eat the soup first. When about half the soup was gone, she comes out to tell us they were out of seafood. Really? You made us wait this long to tell us? But whatever, we just ordered skewers instead thinking it would be quick- Nope. That took another good 15 mins. Our other two entrees didn't come out for another 20 mins or so... And she didn't even bring us rice that went with the entrees... Just a horrible experience.. I've never had to wait this long for food... I've had to wait to be seated at other restaurants, but once seated, our food arrived at reasonable times....this place was dead and it took an hour to get our food! Ridiculous! And she didn't even apologize for the wait or give us an explanation why it was taking forever! Won't ever come back, not even if they have the best food around.
(1)
Francis L.
I ordered the $6 Cambodian curry soup thinking it was an appetizer as it was in the appetizer section. I was wrong, it was portioned as a lunch entree. Normally, this is a bonus but in this case, I ended up with literally two entrees for myself. On a positive note, the curry tasted awesome! The Labb Beef didn't win me over either, I was surprised to find out that it was a cold dish; that "minor" detail was excluded from the description. The taste was unremarkable.
(2)
Eric I.
I would NOT go here to try authentic Cambodian food in the lowell area. The selection is much more limited and toned down for a non-cambodian clientele. However, the Natang appetizer is simply one of the best dishes I have ever eaten. It's just so flavorful, and does have that certain warm spice I've come to associate exclusively with Cambodian food. It is like a curried spicy bowl of deliciousness (apparently pork chicken and shallots in a spice sauce) that comes with rice cakes (sometimes purple taro root cakes!) that snap crackle and pop when you dip them in the sauce. So extremely mouth watering, I am literally salivating now writing about them. The rest of the menu is solid too, but the NATANG is where it's at.
(4)
Allan R.
My family and I traveled from Philadelphia to Boston and we usually go to other restaurants in the area. We arrived in Lowell a tad late and the usual restaurants were closing. We knew Tepthida Khmer closed later and decided to go there. When we arrived at 9, the young waiter was reluctant to allow us to come in and informed us that they actually close at 9 pm. However, the owner came out of the kitchen and insisted we sit and eat. When we got settled in, she gave us personal recommendations and assured us we would leave very satisfied. She wasn't lying. The hot wings were crunchy and flavorful. The papaya salad was delicious and wasn't too spicy. We enjoyed the fried calamari as well. For entrees, the loc lac salmon and labb beef were excellent! The owner came out several times to ensure our dinner was enjoyable. She was very kind to let us in so late and accommodated all of our requests. I highly recommend this neighborhood gem.
(5)
Ciana A.
Tepthida Khmer was the first Cambodian food experience and now has become my favorite place for Cambodian food. Everything I've tried has been delicious, with the Drunken Noodle and Beef Loc Lac being my favorites! So why 3 stars? I've been there a dozen or so times and my experiences have gotten worse and worse. My most recent experience was the worst by far. My boyfriend and I were the only patrons in the restaurant and the service was incredibly slow. I want to say it took close to 40 minutes to get our food. I'm a patient person, so this doesn't really bother me. The main thing that bothered me about this experience was that the server forgot my order.There were two people in the restaurant and he completely forgot my order that I had waited 40 minutes for. Not quite sure how this happened. My boyfriend ordered the Beef Loc Lac with fried rice with extra sauce. I followed up his order with I would like the same exact thing with white rice, no extra sauce. Forty minutes later, my boyfriend's Loc Lac came out. It's common for servers here to bring dishes out as their ready (which here can take up to 5-10 minutes) so I figured mine would be out shortly. My Loc Lac never came out and the server didn't sense anything was wrong, completely went on with the service with no clue. Considering it took 40 minutes to get the first order of Loc Lac, I didn't bother pointing out that he forgot my order knowing that it would have taken a considerable about of time for them to make it. Luckily, I did not leave starving because I had ordered some Tom Yum soup as an appetizer. When I had ordered the Tom Yum, the server asked what kind of rice i wanted with it. I thought that was kind of strange because I've never been offered rice with Tom Yum at Tepthida before. I received the soup and rice to realize a few bites into my rice there was about an inch long white thread in my rice. I totally understand these things happen but when there are two people in the restaurant I expect a higher level of quality control. When I addressed the thread, I said that it wasn't a big deal but that they should consider checking their rice in case another patron who might not be as nice as I am comes across a thread. His response was he didn't cook the food so he can't control what comes out. I let him know I understood and that I was just trying to help prevent them from a similar incident. He thanked me and said he'd take the rice off the bill. I was kind of shocked because I never was told the rice was an upcharge, just asked what kind of rice would you like with that. Given that it was going to be removed from the bill, I didn't bother bringing it up. I really love this place and I hope that they work to improve their service and quality control. I 've worked at restaurants and I understand that every place has off days but It's just simply not acceptable to forget an order and serve rice with a thread in it when there are only two people in the restaurant!
(3)
Sean O.
So...mixed feelings. I had been here about 3-4 times and it was fantastic. The food was great, the portions were generous, and the service was good. The next time I went we ordered a bottle of wine and the waitress came back with two full glasses of wine and a full, open bottle of wine which was corked. Super strange. Anyway, I had let's say 4 good experiences and one rather weird experience.
Susan S.
Sweet place. Food is fresh, delicious and nicely presented. We started with an app of dumplings before ordering the Loc Lac and the Laab Beef. The dumplings were delicious and the Loc Lac was great. The Laab Beef was also good but it was much spicier than we expected. We look forward to coming back for another meal. here.
(4)David M.
a real mixed bag -- first, the food. My son and I got the drunken chicken -- very good, but really heavy on the hot pepper. I wish they had told us ahead of time (no mention in the menu), but still good. I'd go back for that (and ask for it a little more mild). My wife got one of the vegetable soups -- it looked weird and tasted even weirder. She loves vegetarian food and eats almost everything, but this was really not good. Now the ambiance -- first, we were there around 7:30 PM on a Friday night, and were the only ones there. It's really not a good sign when you walk into a restaurant on a Friday night and it's empty. But here's the kicker -- they have a TV over the bar (not sure why, no one is there), and it was on while we were eating. Half-way through out meal, a second customer comes in, sits all the way by the window (far away from the bar), and tells the waiter to turn UP the TV loud so no one could hear his conversation....and they DID IT! So here we are, sitting near the bar, halfway through our dinner, and they're cranking out some stupid sitcom on the TV. The didn't have the balls the tell the other customer "no", nor did they have the common sense to ask us if it was OK. We came in for a nice leisurely dinner -- if I wanted to eat in front of a blasting TV, I would have stayed home and eaten in my living room. Obnoxious customer - yes, but way to drive out your other customers.
(3)Susan N.
My husband and I wanted to go to a Southeast Asian restaurant in Lowell, and we were lucky to pick Tepthida Khmer, which serves Cambodian food. It has so many positive reviews and I am glad to add one more. One thing that impressed me overall was the freshness of the ingredients and the care with which they were used. The raw vegetables and herbs were all crisp and just cut. The summer rolls looked very inviting, and we enjoyed them very much. The fried dumplings were very good and a bargain at 12 for $3.75. There was a nice balance between the filing and the thickness of the dough. Sometimes these dumplings in other restaurants are way too doughy and even tough. That was not the case here. One entrée that we ordered was Trei Amok, tilapia in a coconut sauce, served in a banana leaf bowl. I enjoyed this particularly over the brown rice. The other dish we had was Laab Chicken. It was something like a salad of mixed vegetables with a coating of very small pieces of chicken, and a pronounced flavoring of lemon grass, lime and mint. The portions of both dishes were large, and well-worth the prices charged for them ($12 and $10 respectively, at lunch). We usually eat everything we order when we go to a restaurant, but this time we took some home. The staff was very kind and friendly, and checked often to make sure we didn't need anything. I very much liked the décor and atmosphere it created -- very simple and rather modern. One of the motifs used were white birch branches. Everything was extremely clean, including the ladies' room. Tephthida Khmer is very close to the Lowell Connector. It is outside of the center, which made reaching and finding it much easier. Parking is simple, as it has its own small lot. We definitely would like to return and try some of their other dishes. So if you are already a already a fan of Cambodian cuisine, or would like to try it, I highly recommend going to Tepthida Khmer.
(5)Vezna S.
First impressions as I pulled into the parking lot of the restaurant was "is this a restaurant?". It looks a lot more like a legal practice or chiropractors office from the outside. Went inside and to your right, there's a hallway that leads to the bathroom. This is good because the bathroom is out of sight of the main dining area which I love. I came inside and sat myself down since the hostess wasn't anywhere to be found... but I'm not a small child who needs to be told what to do. She came out of the back kitchen area and upon noticing me sitting there, asked how many menus I needed. She then handed them to me and asked if I needed anything, to which I replied a couple of glasses of ice water. The ice water tasted great! I was so surprised! I can't tell you how many times I've been to a restaurant and the water tasted bad.. this had a clean, crisp taste to it. The service so far was excellent.. I have no idea what every bad review was talking about. I ended up ordering the drunken noodles (which the hostess recommended) and my brother ordered their Ox Tail noodle soup. The food came out SUPER FAST and it was hot. I can tell that it was fresh by tasting it.. I was very impressed by the speed and taste of the food as well as the service. Everyone talked about the "slow" service.. my experience made me question whether or not they had the Flash working in the kitchen! The atmosphere was great! I've been to a LOT of Khmer restaurants since moving to Lowell and this is the first one that felt modernized. The other places had that... unique Cambodian restaurant feel to it.. this place was clean, had a minimalistic decor thing going which I totally digged. It was like.. my dream bachelors pad.. that's my thoughts the whole time I was there. Now there were a few bad things that I noticed. 1. It was super cold... I guess it was because there wasn't anyone there at the time but a few other patrons. The second reason was that there was only 2 other people sitting down for a meal there and they were seated at the bar. Then halfway through the meal, two more diners came and the hostess seated them RIGHT NEXT TO US! I hate that.. it's like when you're in an empty bathroom stall and the guy comes to pee right next to you.. or you're in an empty theater and the only other person who came to see them movie sat in your comfort zone. I hate that.. but bleh.. I guess I'm just knit picking at this point. Overall, great restaurant. Loved the food and the atmosphere.
(5)Leoss T.
There are so few Asian restaurants in the U.S that offer authentic Cambodian food , last night's dinner at Tepthida Khmer was an example of Cambodian cuisine being at your very own backyard. I enjoyed the "Salmon/Fish Loc Lac" and steamed dumplings, very tasteful straight to the memory!
(5)Amy M.
Food was very fresh and service was exceptional. Great place to try some new things. Can't wait to go back.
(5)Jeremy Y.
The environment is modern, bright and clean, nicely decorated. The staff and owner is quite friendly. The time we went it was pretty quiet but it was 9pm on a weekday. The food is pretty good. I can't say the flavor is amazing or anything, but they taste good and look pretty. It is probably a good place for a two person dinner. I would try more different dishes next time.
(4)SR M.
Loc lac is solid but during a recent order they forgot the pineapple in my pineapple fried rice. I called and there was apparently nothing they can do. Why? According to the girl on the phone the person who took the order already left and the chef that made the food wasn't there. I supposed those are the two people that run the place. Give me a break. Customer service isn't that hard. Own up to your mistake especially if its $14 for fried rice.
(1)Neil G.
Good food and great service. We were one of two tables at the time but the young server made sure the water glasses were never empty and came over often to check on us. Well decorated inside as well.
(5)lillian M.
Wow. This was an amazing treat! I highly recommend every single thing we got!! The mango salad was particularly delicious. As was the drunken noodles, salmon noodle soup, and beef loc lac. Also the owner helped us select just the right variety and amount of food. The decor is beautiful and it was reasonably priced. And really delicious. Just so yummy!
(5)Roger D.
I'd probably rate the food three stars because it was incredibly spicy (to my tastes), but adding a star for their lack of compromise and bold flavors. Service was a little slow. Ambience wasn't very restaurant-y, but I liked the spare décor with the nice artistic flourishes.
(4)Katie P.
This meal was delicious! We ordered the Cambodian drunken noodles, which came in a nice large portion and were quite tasty - they also came with sweet brown sauce and chili sauce on the side if you wanted to add a little jazz to your plate. We also ordered trei amok, which is fish, steamed coconut with milk, and khmer seasonings in a banana leaf cup, served with fresh cucumber, a garnish of cilantro, and red peppers. It came with a nice side of white rice. The fish was flavorful and tender, and the coconut sauce was AMAZING! We didn't really eat the rice, but after finishing the fish we poured the remaining sauce on top of the rice and it was absolutely delectable. I gave this place a 4-star rating because the food was really quite good. However, we were quite disappointed with some of the service interactions. We arrived at 9 pm (they are open until 10 pm on Mondays) and the restaurant was empty except for one person. The hostess/server made a comment about how they were closing soon when we walked in, and seemed irritated. We were then led (deliberately) to a table on which the paper cover was clearly still dirty from a previous diner. This made me kind of livid, but at that point I didn't think it was worth saying anything. After sitting down, the server gave us about 2 minutes before asking if we were ready to order (we have never been to this place so weren't familiar with the menu). We felt rushed, but told her that we would try to make our choices as quickly as possible. Then, about half an hour into our meal, a (Cambodian) couple walked in and were greeted joyously by the same host/server that had given us a hard time. This was quite disappointing, considering our interaction with her previously. Over the course of our meal, the server seemed to warm up to us a little bit with our ample praise of the food, but in general I was left with a bad taste in my mouth from our first impressions of her. Not sure I'd go back considering there are so many options for Cambodian food in Lowell, but I wouldn't completely rule it out.
(4)Steve P.
We went to this place just to check out the new place in town. We were both very, very pleased with our experience! Much like the prior reviewer wrote, this is a restaurant that you would think would be in downtown Boston than in Andover, because typically you can't much in the way of (good) "ethnic"cuisine. We went Sunday afternoon around 3:30: at such an odd time in the middle of August, it was no surprise there was only one other group of people there dining. Fortunately, this also equated with outstanding service by the waitstaff as I had hoped (I've been in places before with very few diners and still had horrible service). We were not rushed, and the service was neither too quick nor too slow, exactly how I like it. I started off with a Cucumber Martini, which was just as refreshing on a hot summer day as I'd hoped it would be. My husband (Mike) ordered a Zombie, something he'd never had before. He's a lightweight, so when he tasted it, he realized what I warned him about: every zombie I've ever had is mostly alcohol with a hint of fruit juice. So, it was too strong for him, and he sent it back. They were completely gracious about this, and of course didn't charge us for it. His next drink was simpler, and fine. Their drinks list is ok, and exactly what I'd expect from a place like this: decent, with popular styles, and something for every palate in their wine and beer selection, some cocktails generally found in Chinese restaurants, and some of their own concoctions as well. Their menu is extensive, and eclectic to say the least, a blend of Cambodian, Japanese, Chinese, and Korean dishes. I had their "Hot Volcano" appetizer, and it was delightful! A mixture of scallops and crabmeat (real crabmeat, might I add!), over sushi fish rolls. It was served promptly, yummy, and displayed quite well. Mike had the appetizer special, but blushingly, I must admit I forget what it was! But, I do know he said it was outstanding. For the entree I had what they called their "Happy Family", a combination of beef, chicken and seafood with veggies in what they called a "brown sauce." It was outstanding! It's hard to make such a meal correctly in my experience, because the ingredients take different times to cook, so timing is essential: otherwise, you get overcooked seafood, under-cooked chicken, and beef cooked appropriately, all mixed together in soggy vegetables. But, this couldn't have been better. And, the presentation, I must say, was great, it was served in a crispy bird's nest, and so beautiful, I didn't want to eat it, just stare at it! Mike had the Pad Thai. The flavor was fine, but the noodles were slightly overcooked, turning them somewhat mushy. Although we were told they were known for their sushi, we didn't try it, other than the rolls that came with my appetizer, which were very good. But, we'll be going back, and will go with their sushi this time. Overall, I think it is a great restaurant, and an excellent addition to the restaurant selections in Andover, which aren't all that great, to be honest. Andover needs more restaurants like this one, so I encourage everybody to go and support this new business so it stays around. (And, I'm not on their payroll and don't know a sole person there, so I'm writing from a completely objective viewpoint.)
(4)Sam G.
Excellent food, diverse menu, and generous portions at a reasonable price. Polite, attentive, and accommodating staff. Pleasant atmosphere, decor is gorgeous and the restaurant itself is always neat and clean. Easily accessible - has a parking lot, which is especially convenient with all the snow/ice making on-street parking difficult. Always a positive experience, would highly recommend.
(5)Mike D.
Came here last night, place was empty but that's what you would expect on a Monday night. First of I really liked the atmosphere, very modern and inviting. Secondly the service was good (but i guess you would assume that being the only one in the joint). Food was super fresh and piping hot! We tried the mango salad, crispy rolls, chicken skewers, Loc Lat, and the Mee Katang. The Loc Lat really stood out, it was quite stunning in fact, I didn't want the experience to be over! So if you are in the area looking for great modern Cambodian food, stop looking and give it a shot!
(4)Robo T.
Honestly the best Loc Lac I've ever had! It was amazingly delicious, the portion was big enough for two meals and the price was unbelievably amazing. The chicken version of sach ang sticks were awesome. The lemongrass marinade was so flavorful - no dipping condiment required. Will be going back!
(4)Oun S.
There no point of address your staff member. No point of starting and comparing the different. The food was already been serve. I am definitely not toward on going there again.
(1)Justin B.
Nice kind of off the map kinda place. At least for me. Very good food and presentation. I have never heard one bad word about it. Not too pricey and calm atmosphere.
(4)Marie B.
I haven't had cambodian food this good since I was last in Cambodia. It's kinda tucked away a few blocks from the train station and not in the main downtown area. It's definitely worth the trip. Service was great, fast and informative when we had questions on the menu. They even adjusted my order of lemongrass stir fry to my spice tolerance. The price is reasonable especially considering the serving size is huge. Everything tasted fresh, good quality and authentic. They have take out as well. The sit-down area is really clean and comfortable. I can't wait to go back and try more of their menu!
(5)Anna B.
I was looking for a good restaurant to try out in Lowell and Tepthida blew me away. The ambience is nice and the staff is delightful. I had the Sngao soup with chicken and the Loc Lac. Both were incredibly delicious. All the dishes my friend tried as well were excellent. I was amazed that this restaurant wasn't more packed when we came because they have some of the best food I've had in a while. I would certainly recommend this restaurant to anyone. I look forward on coming back soon to try more of their menu.
(5)Thy S.
Pretty good place to eat, some larger proportion than I thought and the price is average. Barely anybody comes here and it's always empty. Service is good, atmosphere , and seems very upscale.
(3)Carl C.
Great food! Very nice atmosphere. Bright, beautifully decorated in Asian decor, subtle Asian music in the background. We had the seafood ginger (I love ginger) , which came as a good size portion of shrimp, calamari, baked mussels, and fried fish , all on a bed of fresh lettuce, stir fried red peppers and onions, with lots of ginger. Very fresh and delicious (a bargain at & $14); and also the loc lac, incredibly tasty, well seasoned, tender cubes of beef (~$9 for a very generous portion). Will try to post pics. If this place were in metro Boston, you' d need reservations well ahead of time. Can't say enough. Highly recommend. Ps - great service.
(5)Melissa J.
They have the best lok lac I have ever tried. Its a high quality piece of meat they use and its marinated perfectly. Their drunken noodles are just okay but I do appreciate the abundant amount of veggies in the dish. I have tried my friends' plates as well and can't think of a negative thing to say. If anything service can be much better if they had more than 1 server at a time.
(4)Steve P.
My wife and I went the other day and really liked it. It's easy to get to, plenty of parking and the space is very nice. I ordered the Loc Lac, my wife had the special curry and we also had the drunkin noodles. The food was excellent and we will certainly return. The only reason I'm not giving it 5 stars is the menu is somewhat limited as I expected more offerings. That said it is worth the trip
(4)Catherine W.
Delicious food. We ordered takeout, including beef loc-lac, seafood pineapple fried rice, and chicken druinken noodles. The bill totaled about $35 and the portions were generous. Service was friendly when we picked up the order. The resetaurant looked very clean and nicely decorated inside. I will definitely order again!
(4)Josephine L.
Mmm...Cambodian food. This isn't the most authentic Cambodian place (some of the stuff has definitely been Americanized), but it is incredibly delicious and a good introductory place for people who've never had Cambodian food. We got: The Loc Lac (beef) - My boyfriend's favorite and the second favorite amongst all our party. Savory, perfectly grilled chunks of beef on a bed of salad with a to-die-for pepper dressing. The combination is incredible. GET THIS! Mee Siam - Not such a big fan of, if only because it wasn't all that exciting. Stir-fried rice noodles aren't all that unique to me, but this is definitely a good "light" dish to have for lunch. Amok - This is what I come to Cambodian places for. Does it get any more unique and delicious? Thick cuts of tender catfish in an incredible curry stew served in a bowl made of banana leaves. Wow wow wow! Hearty and delicious. Sweet custard coconut - They were out of the pumpkin, unfortunately, so we got this instead. Across the table, everyone agreed: the durian killed it. Why does durian exist, anyway? It's an abomination of nature and even nature itself doesn't seem to want living things to eat it, hence the spikiness. The sticky rice was great, but to have to get to it through the durian custard--blech! My boyfriend's coconut shake was also delicious. So delicious he wanted to get it at every place we went to after. Our waitress was adorable and friendly, and the restaurant is on the chic, modern side. If I lived in Lowell, I'd come here for date nights.
(5)Rui W.
This is my first experience with Cambodian food and it was a great one. Like every Friday evening, I was searching for a new restaurant to take my family out to. I know there are a lot of Cambodian restaurant in Lowell, but because most of them a small and doesn't have website, so I cannot research before I go. Luckily Tepthida Khmer has a website with photos and detail description menu which made my research easy. We went their for lunch and the place is almost full (around 10 tables for 4 and a few for 2). It's decor is very modern and trendy, and the ambiance feels like a fusion bistro. Since I came prepared I placed the order quickly, for appetizers: summer rolls, mango salad with shrimp (large), and Khmer spicy chicken wings. For entrees: Loc Lac, Amok, and Butternut Catfish Curry. Because it was little crowded the order came little bit slow. Mango Salad with Shrimp came out first. It looks soooo tasty even before I put it in my mouth. The fresh mango strings are crispy yet tender, mixed with mint, basil, blanched shrimp, and fish source, the perfect balance of sweet and sour make you can't stop eat it. The summer rolls are similar to the Vietnamese restaurants. The Khmer spicy chicken wings are tender and tasty, but the flavor is similar to American Buffalo wings, interesting ... The Loc Lac is cubed beef tenderloin caramelized with a savory sauce of black pepper, garlic and mushroom soy. Served on a bed of shredded lettuce with a tangy lime sauce. OH MAN, this is GOOD. The beef has a grilled steak tip flavor outside and very tender once you bit in. Mixed with the shredded lettuce and tangy lime sauce, if they call this BEEF SALAD, I'll eat it everyday :) Amok is fish steamed with coconut milk, and Khmer seasonings in a banana leaf cup. It has a mild spicy flavor along with the aroma of the banana leaf. The Butternut Catfish Curry is fillet of catfish in a red coconut curry with green butternut squash. It's very mild and a very interesting combination of squash and fish. Not my favorite but I still like it. For desert I ordered the Pumpkin Custard (yea, I still got some room left). This is slice of pumpkin steamed and chilled, served with coconut flavor egg custard and topped with wiped cream. It surprisingly has a clean and refresh taste as to a lot of coconut desert are on the heavy side. This is definitely a wonderful experience and I'll sure come back with my friends.
(5)Lyan K.
Walking into Tepthida Khmer, I was definitely impressed by the decor and the atmosphere. The restaurant is classy and unlike most of the other Cambodian restaurants in Lowell. The menu offered mostly classic Cambodian dishes, though there could have been more options to choose from. The waitress was helpful and very friendly, answering whatever questions we had about certain dishes. The durian shakes we ordered came well before the actual meals and was probably the best part of the meal. It was served with whipped cream and very delicious. However it was a long wait for our dishes and we were slightly getting restless. When the food finally did arrive, it was above average and satisfactory. The Loc Lac was probably the favorite but the trei chu em was also very good. Overall the food was satisfying; however the wait was too long to compensate for the meal.
(3)Thavy L.
OK!! Idk wth happened ok but I am sOoooOOooOOooo disappointed... Different decor, where did all the beautiful art go?? Different waitresses that took FOREVER to serve u.. Why do I need to yell " Excuse me like 3x to get some asstistance?? Therefore that means they never came to check up on you.. Worst part is the food I ate there b4 was no longer good.. Everything was too salty... What happen?????????? New management and cook?? * Decor is bland now *Service sucks, even @ check out we had to go up to the register to pay and even then they took a long ass time to give us change.. SMH........ ***** Food sucks.. I'm sry but im just too disappointed ):
(1)A T.
Sat lunch. Very empty, only two tables occupied. Not sure why as the decor is nice and the food was delicious. Try the LocLac, the pancakes and noodles. Hope they stay on
(4)Alice P.
This place is so looked over now that Simply Khmer has come about. Food differs in a more refined manner than Simply Khmer. We had veggie egg rolls, papaya salad, grilled eggplant and the seafood ginger. Veggie rolls were perfect, fried at a higher temp so the veggies still had some crunch but crispy yum! The papaya salad had perfect balance of heat with a subtle sweetness and not fishy like some can be! The eggplant and ginger seafood was delicious as well. I even asked on prices for party platters! The ambiance and decor of this place is so relaxing and tables well spaced out. I think lunch here tomorrow is a must!
(5)Cameron W.
I dined here with co-workers a few weeks ago, and enjoyed my dining experience here. This was my first time eating Cambodian food, so I don't remember the names of the dishes that we ordered. I do remember the one dish that was served in a half pineapple shell with rice, that was probably the best dish of the evening. But honestly, everything was very tasty and spicy. I love spicy food, so it wasn't issue for me. The restaurant was decorated nicely, and the service was "ok". There weren't too many customers dining that evening, so noise wasn't an issue. I'll be back.
(3)Tiffany Z.
Very aesthetically pleasing decor and delicious, beautifully presented Cambodian food near the Lowell commuter rail stop. Check out the photos I posted (courtesy of one of my dining companions, Lou). The beef loc loc (cubes of marinated beef served with a citrusy sauce) and the amok (a curried fish dish with coconut milk served in banana leaves) were both very flavorful and my favorite dishes. Another dish whose name escapes me combined baguette and chicken into small patties and was also tasty. Finally, we sampled an off-menu soup that mixed a fermented fish paste broth with chicken -- I think this might be an acquired taste :) It certainly had a unique flavor profile but as a novice Cambodian food consumer, the soup wasn't quite up my alley. If you're looking for something you've never tasted before, however, I would certainly suggest this dish :) The staff was very accommodating and friendly to our large group of 14.
(5)Arun M.
I'm Cambodian and it is my dream to own a restaurant and if I opened one it would be like this place, with some minor changes. The decor is nice, sorta business casual but not too fancy. The prices are very reasonable especially for the quality, I had the frog legs in a special lemon grass and herb marinade and it was delicious. We also got some stir fried noodles with chicken and shrimp. But what really impressed me was that they served Durian rice pudding. Most places would not have the confident to pull a move like that but this place is very confident because like me, they know it's delicious.
(5)Susan N.
Not impressed. Not in the least. My friend and I walked in thinking "cute!" It really is a very cute place and would be appropriate for a first date if everything else were right. I've had Cambodian food in the past, though I'm not sure if my friend has. He was open to it, though. Too bad this is the place we picked. There was supposedly quite a choice on the menu. After being given some time, we settled on sharing a couple appetizers and dishes. The waitress then told us they didn't have several of the dishes and were lacking the ingredients. We then chose a few substitutes. Guess what? Yes, they couldn't make those either. They lacked so many of the key ingredients to many of the dishes. We finally just asked them what they did have. We were a little dismayed we didn't get our first or second or third choices. We ended up ordering the couple dishes they did have and let's just say there was many leftovers that neither of us were willing to take home. I wish I could tell you what the dishes were but I guess if you ask what they actually still serve, you'll know. If you're not going to stock your restaurant properly, why offer such an extensive menu? I've never seen a place so disorganized and it really took a lot away from the whole dining experience. I'd rather see you offer 5 appetizers, 7 dishes and a couple desserts and actually have the dishes on hand. To me, this is unforgivable and not worth a second visit, especially when there are a handful of other great Cambodian food establishments in the area.
(1)Mick V.
Filed my 'review' under 'tips'. Great restaurant under an ambitious and bold chef/owner. More straightforward dishes, such as the salmon salad, were very well done; for the more adventurous, the pig intestine was sweet and perfectly cooked. Try the palm drink, too. And great value; 2 of us ate VERY well for $40, with enough leftovers for lunch the next day.
(5)Matt K.
I had never been to a Cambodian restaurant before so, being ignorant as to which dishes to order, I took the advice of some other Yelpers. We both ordered small salads to begin. I had the Chicken Cabbage Salad and my friend had the Lotus Root Salad. Both were excellent and I had never tasted anything quite like those unique flavors that were in both of them. (Both salads tasted quite similar to one another.) The chicken was a bit tough but that was ok, I don't know what goes into the sort of cooking process for these dishes. For entrees we ordered the 'Lac Loc' and the 'Amok'. I am generally not a big fan of stewed fish style dishes but I enjoyed the Amok very much. Presentation was excellent and the flavors were again very unique. Everything was cooked to perfection, neither under or overcooked. The 'Lac Loc' continued to call to me from the plate to eat more long after I was plenty full. It amazes me how, though they share many similarities in their flavors and appearance, the different Southeast Asian countries' cuisine has such distinct flavor offerings from region to region. I felt that Tepthida was a great place for my introduction to Cambodian food. Atmosphere is nice as well. This is a very clean and well presented restaurant. The only drawback with its ambiance is that there is no carpeting so voices echo quite loudly in the room. Service was excellent as well and prices were certainly resonable. I'll be going back again, hopefully soon.
(5)Richard C.
Great place for cambodian food! The ambience is elegant, the food is great, and the price is right. Portion size is generous, brown rice is available for those who wish that. I have a large appetite and we had a tough time finishing off two entrees and a papaya salad between my wife and myself.
(5)Hrishikesh H.
I am writing this review after my second visit to this restaurant. I enjoyed the food here. We even got the free summer rolls when we mentioned yelp. In the first visit I tried Amok, It did not come in the banana leaf cup as described but it did not affect the exotic flavor of the curry. In my second visit I ordered Pad Thai. While ordering I asked them to make little spicy. But the the waitress may have forgotten to ask the chef. It is a great place with nice modern decor and delicious food. I will give them a five if they lift up their service a notch higher.
(4)Anne D.
This is a really nice restaurant that could use a little more polish. The food was excellent. I don't have a lot of experience with Cambodian food, however it all tasted great. We got Drunken Noodles, Veggie Delight, and Spring Rolls. Service was warm, friendly and helpful. And, although I appreciate that they make things fresh, the appetizers came out well after we got our entrees. I would definitely go back and try additional dishes.
(4)Kimyanny M.
the place is tiny, need more variety in their menu and the fried icecream is the best IN TOWN! Also the waitresses seems so ditsy when ever taking my order and they are always talking and laughing at the cash register... i dont know why this disturbs me but it did
(3)Angel C.
This could've been a four-, maybe even five-star review, but the service ruined it. They were out of half of the stuff we ordered! I started by asking for a taro shake. They were out. The waitress suggested the coconut shake, but instead brought me a mango shake. Wtf? Good thing I like mango, and that shake was delicious!!! Slightly creamy with very good mango flavor. My friend ordered wine, and, out of about 10 different options on the menu, they only had maybe 3. She was pleased with what she got, on her THIRD try. Oh well. I got a curry soup with fish and an unknown starch, which was really good. 5 stars. I didn't see it on the menu, so maybe it's a special. It was GIGANTIC, though. There was so much soup, I could've bathed in it (ok, not THAT much). Definitely enough to share between two people. And that was the small! My friend liked the Khmer Tom Yum Soup, which I sampled, but tom yum soup is not my thing. For entrees, we got the beef Loc Lac, which was super flavorful and very peppery. 5 stars. I had also ordered the Trei Amok, but they were out! Super sad face!!! So instead we got the chicken Cha K'Nhei (ginger sauce), which unfortunately was just ok. Not an appropriate substitution for the missing Amok. For dessert, we decided to be adventurous and got the durian custard. First of all, the presentation was awful. It looked like the durian had thrown up on the plate. It should've come in a deep plate, not a flat one. But we overlooked that and ate away. It was my first time trying durian, and I think durian is an acquired taste. I wasn't a huge fan of this dish. It also felt pretty heavy because it came on sticky rice, and I'm pretty sure they mixed the durian with coconut milk (or does durian taste a little similar to coconut?), so we didn't finish it. If you're adventurous or you're already a fan of durian, try it. The waitstaff was very nice and friendly, even though they had to keep coming back to tell us they were out of what we had just ordered. It was weird because the place was only about a quarter full on a Friday night, and, at 7pm, we weren't there *that* late. Is it worth the drive from Boston? Well, where else are you going to find good Cambodian food?
(3)C O.
One snowy day, i wanted some noodles, but it was a blizzard, and no one was open. drove around and saw that Tepthida was open. walked in and sat down, service was friendly and spoke khmer. the owner was also there and she's been my dentist since i was a kid, which was surprising. she had the sweetest smile. i sat and ordered the noodles and asked for the bread that Khmers usually eat with noodles. the waitress apologized and said that they didn't have any of that. i was really disappointed, but then the owner jumped in the convo and said she'll brave the cold wintry day to buy some from the shop across town...really? 10 minutes later, before the noodles were brought out, she was back with a case full of the said bread. that's service when the owner of the joint braves a blizzard for a meal that only cost $15. highly recommended.
(4)Q S.
Tepthida has never done me wrong. Everything I've had here have been amazing. Their fish dishes are especially good. I enjoyed the ginger fish the most. I also like getting the Mee Tang noodles with fish. They also make other amazing dishes as well, including this soup thing with ground pork and veggies (forgot the name). Service is not bad but sometimes a drink or two will be forgotten. But it's totally worth it for the food and you can just give a gentle reminder.
(5)David T.
Good food with above average service and a nice atmosphere. I started with an appetizer of fried baguette with chicken, peas, and carrots on top. There was a dark sauce on the side, similar to hoisin, for dipping. The name escapes me but this was excellent; sort of reminded me of an "inside out" croquette with a good mix of firmness and melted toppings. It was a bit greasy but then again aren't all tasty fried things? For my entree I had the beef loc-lac. Perfectly cooked morsels of beef sauteed in a flavourful dark sauce with some black pepper citrus juice on the side for adding more flavour. There was no gristle or bad pieces to the meat at all which is something I always look for in a restaurant; it was good quality meat for a reasonable price ($9.50). There is cilantro on top and I hate cilantro but it was easy to pick off and did not take over the taste of the dish as cilantro often does; another +. The waitress was friendly and attentive; water was constantly refilled and the food came out relatively fast. It was not too busy, with only 3 other parties (2 groups were ethnic Cambodians...always a good sign) dining when I was there, however everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. Also, I was alone (it was a lunch stop after doing errands in the area. haha) and felt no judgment from the staff about being a solo diner. Only complaint is that the parking lot was quite small so I had to park on the street but that was not too much of a problem. I suppose the fact that the Royal Cambodian Consulate is next door could have something to do with the full parking lot. Would definitely go back next time I'm in the area. Maybe with the bf next time as it has a nice decor for a dinner date. ^^
(4)Brendan C.
This is a very hot and cold place, sometimes incredible, sometimes pretty bad. The first time I went a few years back it was a revelation. The pineapple fried seafood rice was delicious and impressive, fresh pineapple and shellfish served with rice and served inside of a hollowed out pineapple. The next time I went back the same dish was bland, served as a lump on a plate, and generally disappointing. The other problem I have is that while this restaurant has a nice atmosphere, it often seems to be deserted on nights when it should be crowded. This makes it awfully awkward when the waitress seems to be sitting at the bar just staring at you. All in all, give it a chance but remember that it could go either way.
(3)Anne K.
Took my 12 y.o. adopted Cambodian daughter here --the owner came out and spoke with her, recommended dishes and gave her non-intrusive life advice! Plus the food was great. We especially liked the mee katang which we had dry.
(4)M. M.
Cute place with very friendly staff. Not overcrowded. We had summer and crispy rolls, noodles, mango salad and fried rice. I was very impressed by mango salad and dorian shake. Dorian shake smells like gas... And it was actually good. I like the name of the restaurant too. I asked how to translate "Tepthida Khmer" and was told it means Women Spirit. I would recommend this place to my friends. They have authentic Cambodian food and really friendly environment.
(5)David B.
Growing up near San Francisco, I was introduced to a wide array of Asian cuisine as a kid and young adult. After leaving home to go to college and start my career, I returned to the bay area in 1993. My partner and I dived into Asian food scene. Regional Chinese, Japanese, Indonesian, Thai and Vietnamese was at our beck and call. We were introduced to various facets of ethnic Chinese coking through one of our closest friends, a citizen of Taiwan. I initially thought accepting a job in Lowell would mean saying good bye to fabulous Asian food. Boy, was I wrong. Its been a wonderful to learn of and experience the vibrant Cambodian community here in Lowell. Tepthida Khmer exemplifies some of the best food the Cambodian offers in all of the Merrimack Valley. It the modern vernacular, this place rocks! I wasn't familiar with Cambodian cuisine, but there are elements that remind my of Vietnamese and Indonesian. Tepthida uses a wonderful selection of curries, coconut milk and fish sauce/paste. We started with grilled skewers of beef called Sach Ko Ang that were delicious and a portent of good things to come. The meat was delectable and nicely seasoned. Next, we had a soup called Samlah Kako. We choose to have it with fish. Of all of the food we had, we found this soup was our lest favorite. It had a very fishy/earthy taste to it that was quite a bit different from the Chinese and Vietnamese soups we had. Still, we were glad we had tried something new. Next, we had the red curry with pork. The sauce was a delectable mix of curry and coconut milk. There was enough heat to know it was curry, but it never over powered the other ingredients. Finally, we also ordered a beef dish that I don not remember. It was a nice mix of veggies and spice...very good! The portions are huge (we ordered too much) and make fabulous leftovers. Interestingly, when I wanted to order a dish listed on their menu as traditional, our waitress steered me to other dishes. The young lady thought that I would find my initial selections "too smelly" due to the fish paste. I am an adventurous eater....I look forward to coming back and diving into their "smelly" food. The dining room is decorated with a modern flair and is comfortable. The wine list is small but well chosen. Can't speak for the desserts, but I imagine they are good. We are thrilled that Lowell spots this wonderful establishment to its larger community of dining establishments. I hope Tepthida thrives and continues to introduce Lowellians to the wonders of Cambodian food. UPDATE: Returned with colleagues for a business lunch. It was just as good as our dinner from a few weeks ago. Good service matched with wonderfully preapred and tasty food.
(5)Steve B.
Great Cambodian food with a nod to Thai cuisine. Very reasonably priced. Its a dollar or two more expensive than the many "hole in the wall" Cambodian and Vietnamese places in Lowell but it is the only real Cambodian restaurant in Lowell you could take a date to if want a second date. Don't get me wrong. You can find me at some of these other places without much trouble. I am a big fan of South East Asian food and count myself lucky to live so close to more than a few SE Asian restaurants that have great food and ridiculously cheap prices. Tephtida is a cut above these other places in a number of ways. Atmosphere & decor, cleanliness, presentation, level or service and especially the consistency of the food. I have tried most everything on the menu over the last 2 years and there is nothing I would not get again. My particular favorites are the Trey Amok, Loc Lak, Drunken Noodles, and the catfish curry soup (I can't think of what they call it on the menu.). They even have a Ribeye steak with french fries that I have not tried yet. Here is my best one line description of Tepthida.... A traditional Cambodian cook that went to a French cooking school. Try it you'll like it.
(5)C B.
On a cold night we didn't want to go out--Tepthida Khmer delivers! Whats more, it was very good! The drunken noodles were excellent--we had asked for chicken to be added and they came with shrimp as well. The Loc Lac beef was very tender, very well spiced and excellent all around. I suspect that I am spoiled when it comes to Cambodian egg rolls as I have friends who make them spectacularly. Tepthida's were okay, but not fabulous--they just didn't have the crisp wrapping and flavors that I've had so often. Next time, we will try it out for the restaurant experience.
(4)E N.
Great place....staff, decor and the food was delic...I was craving for some Cambodian food and I could ask to be more satisfy....I totally would recommend this place!
(5)Chip C.
The two staple dishes for a Cambodian restaurant is noodle soup aka "katiew" and stir fried flat noodles "mee-katung". The katiew there was so salty I couldn't eat it. It was useless to ask for another one because I know it's coming from the same batch of soup. We had to ask the waitress for our chopsticks and spoons two times. Needless to say. Ditzy and clueless is harsh but I don't have any other way to describe them. Needless to say it was not a good experience. Go to more of the established Khmer restaurants of you want good food.
(2)Kate S.
Great pad Thai, summer rolls and lotus salad. They were really accomodating in helping me get ready for a party and had everything ready on time and as requested.
(4)Steve N.
we were there last night (Sunday), arrived around 5:30pm and there was only one couple there. just after we were seated two parties of six arrived and with the concrete floor the sound level really came up. i think this place would be Very Loud with a full house. we started with eth Kroch Chean (quail) and while it was pretty good it tasted like ordinary Chin-American chicken wings. we were looking for something more like Xinh Xinh's grilled quail. we also got for starters the Bok L'Hong (green papaya salad) which while decent didn't have the crunch of other versions we have had and the liberal amount of fish sauce used really changed the color to a muddy brown-ish green that wasn't too appealing, it was also lacking the diced prawns and peanuts cited on the menu. moving on to mains we had the Mee Cha which was limp, overcooked noodles topped with velveted and fried white fish in a sweet sauce that was pretty meh. next up was Drunken Noodles which was Very Good, wide, chewy rice noodles in a spicy sauce with a goodly assortment of veg and beef slices. the Loc Lac was a true standout for me, nice light crunchy coating, highly seasoned beef chunks with some yummy fat. and lastly we got the Prahoc K'tis and i'll agree that raw eggplant is something to get used to but the dipping sauce was Wicked Good, i'd eat this alone on some of their excellent long grain steamed rice. they have beer and wine. i had a couple Tsing Tao and the Chick had a glass of Turn Me Riesling that quite frankly tasted a little old, she switched to Bud light. they also pour a very week iced tea instead of water that my girl, who was not at the table when it was poured, remarked upon sitting "is their tap water brown?" the bill was $70 before tip. i'm looking forward to a return visit soon as Lowell is more in my near-'Hood than Boston.
(3)Dennis P.
One time I ordered something that was called traditional. It smelled really awful. If anyone likes it, that has not grown up eating might want to steer clear unless you are fearless. The taste/smell from this item made me never want to order anything that said traditional on it. However, on another trip back, I tried one of their fruit shakes that was good, beef teriyaki sticks which were good, and I had one of the best desserts I've ever had, squash pudding. You must try it!! I didnt give five stars because I thought the service was below average.
(4)M B.
If only the service had been better and the speciality dishes available it would have been 4 stars. We waited over 15 minutes to get menus, another 15 minutes to get drinks and water, another 10 minutes to order. The waitress (seemed to be the hostess/waitress) was pleasant but said "I'm sorry" as the standard. We ordered 3 appetizers, one soup and two salads for starters. Kruoch Chean (deep fried Quail) was good although the signature appetizer (Tepthida Crispy rolls) were just ok. . Mushy in the inside, not much flavor. The soup, Samlah K'tis , was probably one of the best parts of the meal. Sach Ko Ang (beef skewers) were good but arrived at our table 10 minutes after the rest. Problem was about 5 minutes after we received two of the appetizers and two salads the waitress brought out one of our entrees (Loc Lac, again a house speciality). We said, no we are still waiting for an appetizer and sent it back. OUR MISTAKE. Because this entree was served to us 15 minutes later COLD. All they did was put it on a shelf somewhere and then served it to us cold. A shame because the meat was flavorful. Another entree we tried to order MEE SLAM, was also not available as were NONE of the desserts listed in the menu except for ice cream. We were told their dessert cook left a couple months ago. So the food was fairly good but due to the service we will not be going back to this place. And since there are so many Cambodian restaurants in the area, probably won't be missed.
(2)Katie B.
Update to my previous review: I returned to Tepthida Khmer just the other night and was beyong disappointed with my experience. It was bizarre to say the least. The waitress was snobby and inattentive. Their menu doesn't offer combination plates that offer a little bit of everything, but I was hoping for just a small side of rice with curry sauce. She immediately told me "no, we cannot do that". I didn't understand, but went ahead and ordered the chicken wing appetizer as my meal. She then said that she would ask the kitchen about the rice and returned to tell me that they could do it. Great--right? My fiance and I sat there in the restaurant when his appetizer came. I sat and watched him eat. My chicken wings came. He sat and watched me eat. His pad thai came. I sat and watched him eat. Halfway through his meal the waitress came out with a giant bowl of curry sauce, then quickly walked away. I was sure that my rice was coming, but it never came. Other tables around us were served and appeared to get their food all at once (unsure whther or not this is relevant, but every other table appeared to be of Asian descent while we were the only white diners there). When the waitress finally returned and I was given the opportunity to tell her that my rice never came, she actually had the gall to suggest that she had offered me rice when she brought out the curry and I had refused! She was completely unapologetic over our long wait, poor service, and her failure to bring me what I had ordered. No apology, no comp, no nothing. Needless to say, I may order food to go in the future (the very distant future), but I will never dine in this establishment again.
(1)Mike S.
We stopped by tonight, trying someplace different than our usual Blue Taleh or Estogo for ethnic dinner. This place was a great surprise. The inside is very well decorated, the server was very helpful in suggesting dishes. She offered something off the menu when my girlfriend said she didn't eat meat. Overall a great experience. Its been in Lowell 3 yrs and I'm sorry we didn't find it sooner. See you soon Tepthida Khmer and I highly recommend it to others.
(4)Melody S.
Went on a Sunday night with one friend. Had driven by a few times and it looked really interesting and different from the outside. It's a lot tinier on the inside than I had thought, and we seemed to be the only patrons, outside from one or two takeout customers, and some random hangers-around who came & left without eating anything. My friend and I were cold, and thought about saying something...then before we knew it, it warmed up! In fact, the server seemed to know our every thought! I finally realized, there are cameras in the dining room -- they were watching us shiver, examine the wine list, look around, point at the hairnet that had fallen on the floor when the server reached in her pocket for her ringing cell phone, etc. They probably even saw me glaring at the football game on the giant televisions, unless it's just a coincidence they switched to Asian music videos?? All that aside... The menu was varied, but we went with favorites (noodles; curry) and were both happy with our food. The wine list had many personal favorites on it, so when they were out of my first choice AND my second choice, it was ok. I'd definitely go here again, and branch out from safe favorites into new territory. I'll just keep in mind they're watching my every move!
(3)Jimminy C.
This place was the best! So sad its now closed and out of business. Now I'll need to find another place to go for delicious. Cambodian food. - We miss you.
(5)Mlai C.
I'm a 29 year old Cambodian and I do not recommend this restaurant. I hardly visit Lowell but when I do, I expect great Cambodian food as part of my experience. I have eaten at Tepthida Khmer many times before but not within the last two years. It was a Monday, I was there with my bf around the time it was open. We were greeted politely but as soon as we sat down, it just didn't feel right. The waiter came with two glasses but one had soap residue on it in which my bf pointed out and he was glad to get us a new one. I asked for hot green tea because it was listed on the menu. The waiter went to the other worker and I overheard her saying "we do not have green tea, not for a while now". I'm just wondering why he didn't come and tell me or offer me the jasmine tea instead. We ended up being waited on by the other worker and she took our order. We ordered beef skewers and trei Chua aum (sweet and sour tilapia). I went up to the register and asked for hot tea again while waiting for the food. Still, it took forever. ..Once the tea arrived, it was not even that hot. I was disappointed. She then brought out the beef skewers and I asked where is the pickled veggies that comes with it? She said that it went bad and they do not have any. Why didn't she mention this before? We are irritated at this point. When she brought out the tilapia, she said "enjoy". We asked if we could have some white rice and she said the dish doesn't come with rice but she'll get us some. She also took the plate with the beef skewer sticks that we have eaten and in the process, dropped the sticks on my bf. We then waited for the rice in which never arrived so we were tired of waiting and decided to just take the tilapia dish to go. We spent around $20 and I left a tip of $2. The food tasted fine, service was horrible, menus were faded and hard to read. I could hear the cooks in the back yelling at the first waiter, so unprofessional! I will never eat there again.
(1)Diana K.
Our first experience with Cambodian cuisine and we're (two friends and I) definitely fans! Arrived on a Friday evening around 6 pm, the restaurant was dead with only one couple dining. The restaurant is modern, industrial looking and clean. We were greeted and seated immediately by a very nice young man. Our waiter came quickly with water and menus. We decided on two appetizers: the steamed dumplings (12 for $3.95 which is an amazing price) and the veggie summer rolls with a peanut sauce. Both arrived in a reasonable amount of time. Then we ordered dishes to share: the seafood ginger, veggie delight which we requested without tofu and they were very happy to oblige and we asked what dish was a "signature" Cambodian dish and our waiter quickly said the loc lac which could be selected in beef, chicken or fish accompanied by a salad with cucumbers, tomatoes and a delicious lightly sweet dressing. We chose the fish loc lac which is talapia. Brown rice was also served with out entrees. Everything was fresh, hot, not greasy and the spices were just right. The only reason we didn't rate it five stars is we would have preferred the fish to be grilled or sauteed and not fried. Our oversight for not asking how the seafood was going to be cooked. Though the restaurant was not busy during the time we were there, the dishes came out a bit slower than I would have expected for only having a few tables occupied. Not sure if the kitchen would be any faster/slower if the restaurant were full. Two appetizers and three entrees with tax before tip: $48. You can't be the quality and the price. We'll definitely be back!
(4)Marie P.
Had the whole family here for my grandma's 77th birthday dinner a couple of weeks ago. It was a lot smaller than we anticipated but it was still able to accommodate 14 of us at the same table (smaller tables pushed together, of course). Since there were so many of us, we figured we'd have dinner "family style." We ordered 4 appetizers and 5 entrees -- we ordered two of everything. We actually still had boxes of leftovers between the 14 of us. Prices are decent and the portions are ideal for sharing. APPETIZERS: Dumplings Crispy Calamari Grilled Skewers Krouch Chean (Crispy Quails) ENTREES: Sweet and Sour Spare Ribs Laab Chicken Laab Beef Chicken Wings Chicken Pineapple Mango Rice Everything was delicious! Hard to pick a favorite. Thinking about it now, we weren't major fans of the Sweet and Sour Spare Ribs. There was hardly any meat on any of it -- it was basically flavored cartilage covered in sauce! The sauce was good though. The service was great, our glasses were constantly filled, and the staff was very courteous. The ambience was nice as well, though the place is a bit smaller than we thought, it's still good for groups. All in all, the food was delicious so we'll definitely come back!
(4)Benz B.
Food is good. Out waitress is very nice. Good services and atmosphere. Definitely we will be back when were in town.
(5)Apurva N.
This review is a bit overdue. I went here for dinner with a few of my colleagues, not knowing what to expect. We had never tried Cambodian food before and were excited to check it out. The food is really good! We all really loved everything we ordered. I had the Laab Chicken, which was my healthy choice meal. We also had the calamari, chicken skewers and the curry soup. Other members of the group ordered the Salmon and Steak dishes. There were some hiccups with the service and I assume this had something to do with regular staff not being able to come to work because of the crazy weather. The folks that did make it, however, were incredibly warm and welcoming. This attitude really helped us cope with our food arriving super late! Overall, the food here is really good and this seems like a great little family-run restaurant.The egg soda, calamari, and skewers were stand-outs in my mind. If you're in the area, check it out!
(4)Jim K.
This is my first Yelp review, to be the first of many for sure, but I am no stranger to the restaurant scene. In my perpetual search for foodie authenticity, I tend to shy away from "fusion" restaurants in favor of smaller mom-and-pop places that are less shy about serving up exotic ingredients and flavors. Despite styling itself as the former, rest assured that Tepthida Khmer does work in distancing themselves from your typical fusion cuisine tropes. Having recently moved to the Lowell area, I've found myself in the midst of a Cambodian deep-dive, trying every possible hit that Yelp lists. It has been nothing short of love at first bite, and many helpings of loc lac, papaya salad, and kuy-tiev later, I like to think I've got a good feel for the local Khmer offerings. That being said, I've found Tepthida Khmer's food to have no shortage of flavor, serving up all the complexity and nuance you would come to expect from a more "traditional" restaurant. But I digress. Five stars need to be earned, so I will break my assessment into five parts: The Food: I've yet to be disappointed (or even underwhelmed) by anything I've tried here, and I've always come away with the impression that I truly ate authentic Cambodian. Tonight's entree was the trei amok, a Khmer fish curry dish served in a banana leaf. The flavor profile was delightful, with all the expected hits of coconut, lemongrass, chili, and plenty of umami to go around. The white rice (which can be upgraded to fried rice for $2, or substituted with brown for free) is also excellent. If you're a first timer, I highly recommend ordering the beef loc lac (lightly flavored and fried cubes of beef tenderloin, served with salad and rice), though you can't go wrong with anything here in my experience. The Prices/Portions: I find the prices to be very reasonable, no more than any of the other Cambodian offerings in the area. This might come as a surprise, since the atmosphere is so clean and modern, but I maintain that Tepthida is plenty affordable. The portion sizes are also excellent, and you absolutely get your money's worth - this has NOT been my experience with other fusion restaurants! Some of the appetizers are especially cheap, and while the $6 "small" soups may seem steep, they are actually bowl-sized portions that will fill you up. I don't generally order alcohol at restaurants, but the prices on the drink list seemed well within reason. The Service: I've received nothing less than polite, cordial, and attentive service in each of my visits here. The servers are happy to recommend their favorites from the menu (in clear, intelligible English), and you'll never have to worry about getting a re-up on ice water. They also know when to give you privacy, which isn't always an assured thing at restaurants of this smaller size. I've yet to see an unhappy patron here; on the contrary, one of the happiest ones was a lovely service dog that they had no problem accommodating. The Ambiance: Tepthida is a small restaurant with a cute little bar (maybe 8 or so seats) and no more than a dozen tables. The place is well-lit, modern, and exceptionally clean. Despite this, the restaurant tends on the sleepier side (even on a Friday evening), and nice, quiet dinners are par for the course. I would take a date here. The Accessibility: Tepthida is located right on the main drive of 110 heading into Lowell. There is a small parking lot right outside the restaurant that I've never seen anywhere close to packed. There is also ample street parking, even in the dead of gigantic frozen snowbank season. Honestly, as someone driving from Chelmsford, I find being able to get grub like this without making the trek into the heart of Lowell to be one of my biggest motivations for going. Overall, for what it is, Tepthida Khmer is nothing short of delightful, and has certainly risen to the upper echelons of my ethnic food haunt tier list. Highly recommended.
(5)Vandana C.
Great food and excellent service. As a family of four with two vegetarians, we sometimes struggle to find good, healthy food that suits the omnivores and vegetarians alike. Tepthida Khmer provides excellent food for everyone in the family. The seafood options are always delicious. The noodles are also tasty and all of the vegetarian options are also great. This restaurant offers great consistent food with good service. So do your taste buds a favor and go get some great Cambodian food at Tepthida Khmer
(5)Danielle F.
This was a pleasant surprise! I really enjoyed my meal here. Living in Boston, there are somewhat limited options for Cambodian food, so while in town for a concert at Boarding House Park, we decided to walk over here and check this place out. I came with a friend, whom I traveled to Cambodia with a few years ago. We had enjoyed our experience there and recall fondly that we thoroughly enjoyed the cuisine. The restaurant is about a mile from the parking garage adjacent to the concert venue. Walking in, there was only one table occupied around 6:00 on a weekday. The owner was filling in for the server as she was unable to make it that day. She was extremely friendly and later in the meal, upon learning that we had visited Cambodia, she provided an interesting story explaining the name of the restaurant and how she settled upon naming her restaurant. She also explained how a local created the logo for her restaurant, which is on business cards, menus, and the website. We were seated at one of the tables along the road, so there was plenty of light. The owner took great care in setting the tables with white tablecloths. She also found artwork from local artists to hang on the walls. It has a cool modern feel to it. We first started with a beer. There was a decent selection of beers including American, European, and Southeast Asian brands. There is wine by the glass, but must admit the prices on that looked a little steep. Otherwise, beers and food were appropriately priced. For a meal, we decided to share two entrees and got the summer rolls to start. The combination of the shrimp paired with cool cucumber and mint was a great way to start the meal, and reminiscent of things I had tried in Southeast Asia. We split the drunken noodles and the chicken lemongrass. Both were pretty substantial in size. I was expecting the drunken noodles to be a saucier entree, however it was drier than others I had previously sampled. That being said, it was still quite good. While both entrees were excellent, I did prefer the drunken noodles. It was a slightly spicier dish and had more veggies incorporated into the dish. If in town again and looking for a meal, I would not hesitate to return.
(4)Emily P.
Great food and even better service. The salmon loc lac recommended by the owner was amazing and the chicken wings were one of a kind. Highly recommend this place.
(5)Susu W.
Three of us went to Tepthida Khmer for lunch today. We ordered Natang, fried dumplings, Loc Lac beef and Loc Lac fish, and Crazy Noodles. Natang is chicken curry and coconut and it was so flavorful with crispy fried rice cakes. The dumplings were awesome and it was only $3.75 for 12, amazing price, you can't even get 6 for less than $5 in other places. Both of my colleagues have never tried Cambodian food before, and they love the Loc Lac and Crazy Noodles. They are offering a luncheon special starting at $4.99, their portions were plentiful. The flavors were just right and not too fishy! Sometimes, you get Southeast asian food that are too spicy and over the top, not Tepthida Khmer. Service was attentive and the ambience was a lot more upscale than some of their competition. Love their new website too, and found their information on my mobile phone. We will definitely go back again for more. A little secret in Lowell. Highly recommended.
(5)Armani T.
This restaurant is my restaurant of choice when introducing clients, colleagues and friends who have never had Cambodian food before. Their beef Loc Lac is definitely a favorite and the go to dish I would recommend for a first-timer. It's actually my favorite Loc Lac in the city, and trust me, there's plenty of Cambodian Restaurants in Lowell, MA to compare to. The restaurant is very beautiful and clean. In regards to ambiance, presentation of their dishes and cleanliness, it's the best in Lowell. The staff and owner of the restaurant are all very friendly, however, I think the servers could be a bit more attentive. I see a lot of potential in this restaurant and I can only hope it does well. It's always very quiet when I go.
(4)Shelly N.
Fantastic food all around. Owner made the recommendation to pair papaya salad with plain chicken wings, which was delicious; wings were perfectly crispy and juicy even without any sauce. We also had the pineapple mango rice, which was also amazing. It was not too oily, and the chicken and fruit were very juicy and not overcooked. The rice here and for the trei amok were both cooked perfectly right, and the trei amok was juicy and delicious. I can't describe the food in any way other than "perfect." Great and knowledgable service, friendly owner, I highly HIGHLY recommend this place!
(5)James A.
Very good Cambodian Cuisine. The price is very fair based on the quality of the meal. Most low end places charge @ $8 for a Beef Loc Lac Meal. Here 12 and without a doubt worth the extra $4. Although small the place is very nicely decorated and clean. One issue they had literally no mood music or any music on at all.
(4)Nicole B.
This place is great. The papaya salad is really really awesome. Also tried Loc Lac and one other dish (Seafood Ginger??) - both were very delicious. Atmosphere and location-wise, it's not as fun as going somewhere in Cambridge/Boston, but it's worth the trip up to Lowell.
(5)Madelyn Y.
The staff and owner is very friendly. Prices are a little overpriced for Khmer dishes but I can see why. They are a upper scale Cambodian restaurant. The interior is nice and they do have a tv. I say it would be a good and nice quiet place for a date.
(3)Anna I.
Tepthida Khmer has excellent food, ambiance, and service. The beef loc lac in particular is delicious, as other reviewers have said, but their other dishes are good too. It's worth mentioning that the white rice is perfectly cooked, as this can't be said of all Asian restaurants in Lowell by far. It's a little confusing to me how the restaurant always seems to be empty when I go, as the owners clearly put a lot of effort into decor and customer service, making it a great eat-in experience.
(5)Laurie L.
Excellent Cambodia cuisine and our server Tori was excellent and very friendly and accommodating.
(5)Jo J.
I give this a one star rating, not because the food was terrible, but because it literally took about an hour to get our food. We got seated right away - there were only 2 others seated, one family of 4, who were already eating and mother and son who received their food about 5 mins after we got there. The place was considerably dead for a Saturday night (that should've been a hint). First the waitress brought us our soup about 15 mins later (which was warm/cool, so I know it wasn't fresh). We waited patiently for the rest of our dishes, but time started to pass and my children were hungry so I let them eat the soup first. When about half the soup was gone, she comes out to tell us they were out of seafood. Really? You made us wait this long to tell us? But whatever, we just ordered skewers instead thinking it would be quick- Nope. That took another good 15 mins. Our other two entrees didn't come out for another 20 mins or so... And she didn't even bring us rice that went with the entrees... Just a horrible experience.. I've never had to wait this long for food... I've had to wait to be seated at other restaurants, but once seated, our food arrived at reasonable times....this place was dead and it took an hour to get our food! Ridiculous! And she didn't even apologize for the wait or give us an explanation why it was taking forever! Won't ever come back, not even if they have the best food around.
(1)Francis L.
I ordered the $6 Cambodian curry soup thinking it was an appetizer as it was in the appetizer section. I was wrong, it was portioned as a lunch entree. Normally, this is a bonus but in this case, I ended up with literally two entrees for myself. On a positive note, the curry tasted awesome! The Labb Beef didn't win me over either, I was surprised to find out that it was a cold dish; that "minor" detail was excluded from the description. The taste was unremarkable.
(2)Eric I.
I would NOT go here to try authentic Cambodian food in the lowell area. The selection is much more limited and toned down for a non-cambodian clientele. However, the Natang appetizer is simply one of the best dishes I have ever eaten. It's just so flavorful, and does have that certain warm spice I've come to associate exclusively with Cambodian food. It is like a curried spicy bowl of deliciousness (apparently pork chicken and shallots in a spice sauce) that comes with rice cakes (sometimes purple taro root cakes!) that snap crackle and pop when you dip them in the sauce. So extremely mouth watering, I am literally salivating now writing about them. The rest of the menu is solid too, but the NATANG is where it's at.
(4)Allan R.
My family and I traveled from Philadelphia to Boston and we usually go to other restaurants in the area. We arrived in Lowell a tad late and the usual restaurants were closing. We knew Tepthida Khmer closed later and decided to go there. When we arrived at 9, the young waiter was reluctant to allow us to come in and informed us that they actually close at 9 pm. However, the owner came out of the kitchen and insisted we sit and eat. When we got settled in, she gave us personal recommendations and assured us we would leave very satisfied. She wasn't lying. The hot wings were crunchy and flavorful. The papaya salad was delicious and wasn't too spicy. We enjoyed the fried calamari as well. For entrees, the loc lac salmon and labb beef were excellent! The owner came out several times to ensure our dinner was enjoyable. She was very kind to let us in so late and accommodated all of our requests. I highly recommend this neighborhood gem.
(5)Ciana A.
Tepthida Khmer was the first Cambodian food experience and now has become my favorite place for Cambodian food. Everything I've tried has been delicious, with the Drunken Noodle and Beef Loc Lac being my favorites! So why 3 stars? I've been there a dozen or so times and my experiences have gotten worse and worse. My most recent experience was the worst by far. My boyfriend and I were the only patrons in the restaurant and the service was incredibly slow. I want to say it took close to 40 minutes to get our food. I'm a patient person, so this doesn't really bother me. The main thing that bothered me about this experience was that the server forgot my order.There were two people in the restaurant and he completely forgot my order that I had waited 40 minutes for. Not quite sure how this happened. My boyfriend ordered the Beef Loc Lac with fried rice with extra sauce. I followed up his order with I would like the same exact thing with white rice, no extra sauce. Forty minutes later, my boyfriend's Loc Lac came out. It's common for servers here to bring dishes out as their ready (which here can take up to 5-10 minutes) so I figured mine would be out shortly. My Loc Lac never came out and the server didn't sense anything was wrong, completely went on with the service with no clue. Considering it took 40 minutes to get the first order of Loc Lac, I didn't bother pointing out that he forgot my order knowing that it would have taken a considerable about of time for them to make it. Luckily, I did not leave starving because I had ordered some Tom Yum soup as an appetizer. When I had ordered the Tom Yum, the server asked what kind of rice i wanted with it. I thought that was kind of strange because I've never been offered rice with Tom Yum at Tepthida before. I received the soup and rice to realize a few bites into my rice there was about an inch long white thread in my rice. I totally understand these things happen but when there are two people in the restaurant I expect a higher level of quality control. When I addressed the thread, I said that it wasn't a big deal but that they should consider checking their rice in case another patron who might not be as nice as I am comes across a thread. His response was he didn't cook the food so he can't control what comes out. I let him know I understood and that I was just trying to help prevent them from a similar incident. He thanked me and said he'd take the rice off the bill. I was kind of shocked because I never was told the rice was an upcharge, just asked what kind of rice would you like with that. Given that it was going to be removed from the bill, I didn't bother bringing it up. I really love this place and I hope that they work to improve their service and quality control. I 've worked at restaurants and I understand that every place has off days but It's just simply not acceptable to forget an order and serve rice with a thread in it when there are only two people in the restaurant!
(3)Sean O.
So...mixed feelings. I had been here about 3-4 times and it was fantastic. The food was great, the portions were generous, and the service was good. The next time I went we ordered a bottle of wine and the waitress came back with two full glasses of wine and a full, open bottle of wine which was corked. Super strange. Anyway, I had let's say 4 good experiences and one rather weird experience.
(3)