Mass Hidden Gems: Spicy wings and surprise salads blew my mind in an overlooked food hotbed
I went to Simply Khmer to check out the thriving Cambodian food scene in Lowell .
I left, thinking, "Those are some of the best chicken wings I've ever had."
That's before getting into the fireworks of flavor I got from my Thai iced tea and my plate of beef loc lac. For the loc lac, I didn't expect to enjoy beef on salad so much. But that was just one of many surprises for a newbie to Simply Khmer.
When it comes to food trends in Massachusetts, Lowell generally doesn't get a lot of attention. Neither does Cambodian food in general.
Fortunately, it's never too late to get educated about one of the underrated food hotbeds in the state.
A look around Simply Khmer Cambodian Restaurant in Lowell.(Nick O'Malley/MassLive)
Mass. Hidden Gems: Simply Khmer in Lowell
Simply Khmer is a prominent name in one of the state's most underrated food scenes — the wealth of awesome Cambodian restaurants in Lowell.
Lowell is home to the second-largest Cambodian population in the United States. Much of that stems from the late '70s, when thousands upon thousands fled the country amid the Cambodian genocide.
Lowell now has a reputation for being a hotbed of Cambodian cuisine. Other amazing spots include Le Petit Cafe, Phnom Penh Restaurant and Red Rose Restaurant, which was a semifinalist for a James Beard award in 2023 .
That same year, popular food TV personality Padma Lakshmi visited Simply Khmer for her show, "Taste the Nation," which focuses on immigrant communities shaping food around the country.
The longtime "Top Chef" host highlights Simply Khmer for how well it represents Cambodian food. It seemed like the perfect jumping-off point for me.
Beef loc lac, Cambodian marinated steak tips served over salad at Simply Khmer in Lowell.(Nick O'Malley/MassLive)
What's good on the menu?
I'd heard good things about Cambodian chicken wings. I figured I'd try them, but I have to admit there was a thought at the back of my head of "How good could they actually be?"
The answer: Way better than I could have imagined.
First off, they were fried to perfection. But what really blew me away was the sauce. Each wing was glazed in a gorgeous golden sauce that crackled with sweet flavor and heat.
It was like everything General Tso's chicken or orange chicken from my local Chinese food joint wished it could be. They were a balanced symphony of flavors, roaring out with sweetness, a pleasant citrus acidity and heat.
I was really impressed by the loc lac, a plate of marinated steak tips served over salad. The flavor from the meat was immaculate and paired well with the salad.
Simply Khmer's rice and noodle dishes are also awesome. The pineapple fried rice comes served in an actual pineapple. Meanwhile, they've got a killer spiced beef & stew noodle soup (kuy tiew kaw-ko).
Would I come close if I tried to pronounce that last one? No. But I can tell you I've gotten a little bit better with "Khmer," which is pronounced closer to "kuh-mai."
A look at the front entrance of Simply Khmer, a Cambodian restaurant in Lowel..(Nick O'Malley/MassLive)
What to know about Simply Khmer
Sometimes, going to a new type of restaurant can be intimidating if you're unfamiliar with the type of food. I felt some of that when I went and almost certainly butchered the pronunciation of some items.
Fortunately, the menu is informational and clearly lays out what everything is. Plus, the staff at Simply Khmer couldn't have been nicer about it.
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What's the address?— 26 Lincoln St., Unit #1, Lowell, Massachusetts, 01851
What's the parking situation?— There are free parking spots in front and on the side of the building.
When are they open?— Here are the listed business hours at the time of writing.
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Monday: Closed
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Tuesday: Closed
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Wednesday: 11 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
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Thursday: 11 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
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Friday: 11 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
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Saturday: 11 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
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Sunday: 11 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
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Mass. Hidden Gems is a series highlighting restaurants and other businesses across the Bay State that we think deserve more attention. You can check out the rest of the series here .
Have a hidden gem that you think we should check out? Email nomalley@masslive.com your favorites.
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