Chantha Nguon - Author of ‘Slow Noodles’

Oct 20

In this week’s episode, we sit down with Chantha Nguon, author of Slow Noodles and a refugee of the Khmer Rouge. Nguon shares her powerful journey of survival, starting with her childhood in Cambodia, which abruptly changed when the Khmer Rouge took over. She recounts the hardships her family faced while fleeing to Vietnam, losing loved ones along the way, and eventually finding herself in refugee camps. Cooking became her lifeline, and it’s through her love for food and her mother’s recipes that Slow Noodles was born. Joined by her daughter, Clara Kim, Nguon opens up about the healing process of writing her book, overcoming cultural barriers to share her story, and how this project has deepened the bond between mother and daughter. Together, they reflect on the memories tied to their recipes and the significance of sharing Cambodian culture and history through food. Tune in for an inspiring conversation on resilience, family, and the power of storytelling.