Friend of the pod Karuna Long (Sophon, Oliver’s Twist) stops by to chop it up! Learn about his journey from bartender to bar owner to chef/owner—and how the pandemic made him realize an opportunity to create more space for Cambodian culture in Seattle. Karuna also tells us about how his family briefly crossed paths with “donut king” Ted Ngoy, and why donut boxes are pink.
We also talk about Sophon’s James Beard Award nomination for Best New Bar, and the complicated feelings that come with recognition from an organization that has historically fallen short of inclusiveness.
Plus Meg goes to the opera, Mark goes to the Japanese-style vinyl listening lounge, and we all go report on the local restaurant news—and our favorite bites—of the week.
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Check out the Seattle Humane Society
Check out the Tacoma Humane Society
00:00 Intro
10:46 Karuna’s Story
15:20 Donut King Ted Ngoy
17:26 Opening Sophon
19:49 Traditional vs. Modern Cambodian Food
21:56 Sophon at One Year
26:20 Creating a Cambodian Bar Program
29:19 Pre-News Taste Test
31:29 Restaurant News This Week
40:01 Sophon’s James Beard Award Nom
44:34 Chubby Brown Boys
47:17 Thanks, I Ate It!
01:00:55 Coming Up Next