Seoul Garden has a number of fantastic assets. Peter Sonan, the blind Thai jazz pianist who plays nightly in the restaurant, is the first. Sometimes he's also there during the day at lunch time. Peter's friendly. He's travelled and is definitely worth having a chat to; you'll be amazed how the time passes. I spent several hours longer than intended over my meal because I was talking with him. He also let me choose my favourite tunes and sang them for me. I'll never forget "Cheek to Cheek" played in Siem Reap!
Mr. Choi is the other asset who perhaps I should have listed first because he is the owner of Seoul Garden. He is actually a sculptor and did the carpentry work here himself. He's also Korean, hence the name 'Seoul'. Some of his sculptural work in on display and he worked on the design of the rooms and restaurant. I really liked it, lots of low set seating all in wood with loads of cushions in the restaurant. Very comfortable. The dorm design is also predominantly wood with wooden floors and beds in airy rooms. There are mosquito nets in the rooms. There are only six beds in the dorm so it's not crowded. Two were bunks and two were singles. Unfortunately, it was pretty empty due to the time of season, and also because Seoul Garden had only been opened a month and was yet unknown. Fortunately, Mr. Choi had listed it in the monthly Siem Reap travel guide that I came across in Battambong so people are hearing of it that way. At night though people often came from nearby guesthouses and hotels to listen to Peter, but the numbers change every night. I think in time this place will become one of the traveller's must stay places.
Mr. Choi also oversees the cooking in the restaurant which is an absolute gustatory dream. There are dishes of all kinds -- tofu, soups, vegetables and meats. I don't think I ate so well as I did that meal in Siem Reap.
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
February 2004
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