Two Chinese-American Restaurants with Cambodian Roots Thrive on Chicago's Northwest Side

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The Lim family, who are ethnically Chinese but settled in Cambodia in the early 20th century, opened their first restaurant called Kim Long in Chicago's Hermosa neighborhood in 1986. Forty years later, the family now owns five restaurants and two donut shops in the city, including the acclaimed Cambodian tasting menu restaurant Hermosa. Their other restaurants, Kim Long and Googoo's Table, feature a mix of Chinese-American staples and Cambodian specialties that reflect the family's heritage.

Why it matters

The Lim family's restaurants showcase the diversity of Chicago's culinary landscape, blending Chinese-American and Cambodian influences. Their longevity and success in an industry with high turnover also highlight the power of family-owned businesses rooted in community.

The details

The Lim family opened their first restaurant, Kim Long, in 1986 in Chicago's Hermosa neighborhood, serving classic Chinese-American dishes. Over the years, the family has expanded to own five restaurants and two donut shops across the city. One of their restaurants, Hermosa, has gained national acclaim for its Cambodian tasting menu. At Kim Long and Googoo's Table, the menus feature both Chinese-American favorites and lesser-known Cambodian dishes powered by an herb paste called kroeung, which includes ingredients like galangal, lemongrass, and lime leaves.

• The Lim family opened their first restaurant, Kim Long, in March 1986.
• Forty years later, Kim Long is still in operation, now located half a mile away in the Belmont-Cragin neighborhood.

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