29th Annual Cambodian New Year Festival

Being fans of various food festivals and events the Missus and I always check the California Community Connections San Diego Food & Festival Events listing. We are pretty much disappointed to know that San Diego doesn't have a Thai New Year, or Songkran Festival. But the good thing is that there is a 4 - day Cambodian New Year Festival.

Cambodian New Year is also celebrated during the same period of time as Thai New Year. The San Diego Cambodian New Year Festival is held at the Colina Del Sol Community Park, and turns the normally somewhat seedy park located at 52nd Street and Orange Avenue into a wonderful family experience.

And of course there's food! Normally 8-10 booths. We did get our share of food, starting with our favorite; Papaya Salad.

Here's the booth that made our favorite Papaya Salad:

One of the benefits of getting to the event a bit early (1030 start), meant that we were able to chat with the vendors. This Young Lady was so very nice and friendly, and wanted to make sure She made your salad just right.

The prices were $3 for a small salad, $5 for a large. You can guess which we bought. All of the Papaya Salad vendors also gave you a taste of your completed salad to make sure that it was created to your satisfaction. Try and get that at the Funnel Cake booth........ We scarfed up this salad so fast, there are no photos, but let me assure you it had a very balance of salty(fish sauce), sour(lime), and sweet(sugar). So good that we made sure to get another order as we were leaving. We also got some chicken skewers for $1, that were fairly bland, but still good for the price.

We managed to get several versions of Papaya Salad:

The prices were consistent at each booth, and all of the vendors asked you to check the flavoring of the Papaya Salads they made. And each Papaya Salad was different.

This booth served up Thai and Laotian style food:

And I'm sure I've seen them at a Farmer's Market somewhere. But I'm pretty sure they didn't serve up the great looking Pork Larb on display here. ($5.00 for all Larb, $3.00 over rice)

I've found that Pork Larb has more flavor and is more moist then Beef Larb. This version also had a very generous amount of herbs and onions.

I would have enjoyed it a bit more if the bitter pork liver had been omitted, but this was a pretty good Laab.

At this point, we decided that all of my picture taking was slowing down the whole process, so the Missus decided to "charge forward". And picked up some Green Mango:

I grew up eating Green Mango with Shoyu and Sugar; and this was pretty close with a fish sauce, chili, and sugar dip. The Missus was absolutely taken with this.

She also got some Shaved Ice from this booth:

The Kids manning the booth took their job seriously and didn't fool around. They were quite impressive, and really worked efficiently as a team.

By this point it was starting to get crowded, and it was time to leave. Here are a few more photos:

If you plan to attend(and we suggest you do), try to find parking on the street adjacent to the park. Parking in the park's lot is free-form, and is pretty cramped. You won't regret attending this festival, you'll find that it is much more friendly and laid-back then most festivals of this type. And the food is pretty good as well.

Cambodian New Years Festival

Usually between April 13th though 16th every year.

Comments

[Kady]

I missed it! Oh, now I'm really sad. That looks so good. I've been craving Thai nonstop lately. That would have really satisfied my craving! That pork laab looks delish.

[Kristy]

Hi Kirk! I used to man the shaved ice stand at Nisei Week too!

I don't know if I've ever had Cambodian food before... too bad the chicken skewers weren't so good. Mmm....getting hungry and it's only 10:30am! =(

[Joan]

Kirk, thanks for posting the link to the local festivals! I'll definitely have to bookmark that for future use since I love these types of events! I haven't had papaya salad in a long time- might have to attempt to get some this weekend since you put the idea in my head :)

[Reynila Calderon-Magbuhat]

I remember seeing this in the paper, saving the clipping, then forgetting where I put it. Now it's too late but I had a vicarious experience thanks to you. :) Our family will have to go next year.

By the way, my parents grew up eating green mango with bagoong alamang (Filipino salted shrimp paste). My Mexican friends eat it with salt and chili powder.

[Kirk]

Hi Kady - You know I'll have to work out some kind of calendar of events, or something like that.

Hi Kristy - You know, those kids were really working hard.

Hi Joan - It was fun to just cruise around, and try out the food.

Hi Reynila - You'll find this Festival to be very laid back and relaxing - at least if you go early enough. All the vendors were very nice. The Missus loves bagoong rice....'nuff said.

[Jack]

I too had thoughts of attending but completely forgot about it. Nice write up Kirk.

[Kirk]

Hi Jack - Thanks, this was a nice, laid back festival.

[Lindy]

Do you know any other Cambodian Festivals in San Diego this coming year?

[Kirk]

Hi Lindy - I'm frantically trying to track down a festival....there was nothing last year at Colina Del Sol.....I'm hoping someone can help us out!

[noodle]

In the past few years, the Cambodian New Year celebration at Colina has diminished due to lack of vendors and participants. Last year there was a small celebration at the temple up the street, Wat Sovannkiry. If there is no celebration at Colina you can try the temple. If your really adventerous you can head up the Long Beach where there is a larger Cambodian population.

Cambodian New Year Celebration 2008(CNYC)

Date:
Saturday, April 12, 2008
From 9am - 5pm

Location:
El Dorado Regional Park, Area III
7550 E Spring St, Long Beach, CA

Park entry fee: $7
(Visitors can enter the park via Spring East and West bound and Wardlow West bound)

Ticket Sale:
Regular Price $35 per vehicle
Pre-Sale: $25 per vehicle

Pre-sale ticket available at:
Bamboo Island Restaurant
816 E. Anaheim St. Long Beach

Golden Villa Restaurant
1360 E. Anaheim St. Long Beach

La Lune Restaurant
1458 Atlantic Ave. Long Beach

Mary's Video
1600 E. Anaheim St. Long Beach

Vinh Heng Market
2148 Anaheim St. Long Beach

On April 12, tickets are available for $35 at:
All 3 entrances to El Dorado Park
and El Dorado Branch Library Parking Lot
2900 N. Studebaker Rd (8am -2pm)

http://www.cam-cc.org

(or you can head over to my house, my mom cooks up a feast... just kidding =P)

[Kirk]

Hi Noodle - Thanks for the info - I've heard about the El Dorado Park celebration, but haven't made it up that way so far. Does your Mom have an extra spot at the table? ;o)