The Lim family opened their first restaurant in Chicago’s Hermosa neighborhood in March 1986. Named Kim Long, which means Golden Dragon in Chinese, it served beloved Chinese-American dishes like chop suey and chow mein for under $5.
Today, Kim Long has moved half a mile to Belmont-Cragin at 5114 West Fullerton Avenue. Remarkably, eight of the nine Lim children are now in the restaurant business. Together, they own five restaurants and two donut shops across Chicago.
One standout, Hermosa, has gained national attention. Chef Ethan Lim runs a sandwich shop by day and offers a praised Cambodian tasting menu by night. This unique blend showcases the family’s diverse culinary heritage.
While the Lim family is ethnically Chinese, they settled in Cambodia in the early 20th century. This blend of cultures is evident in the menus at both Kim Long and their sister restaurant, Googoo’s Table at 4356 West Armitage Avenue. While you’ll find familiar Chinese-American favorites like orange chicken and egg rolls, there are also hidden treasures from Cambodian cuisine, waiting to be discovered.
Cambodian dishes often feature an aromatic herbs paste called kroeung. Made from ingredients like galangal, lemongrass, and lime leaves, it adds a distinctive Southeast Asian flavor. At Kim Long, a dish cheekily named “Spicy Chicken” features this paste in a vibrant vegetable stir-fry that hits all the right notes—spicy, sour, and savory.
At Googoo’s Table, kroeung is sizzled in hot oil before being added to a comforting soup known as beef spicy sour lemongrass noodle soup. This dish is not just warming; it delivers a tingly kick that’s perfect for chilly evenings.
In a recent survey by the National Restaurant Association, nearly 70% of consumers stated they enjoy trying international cuisines. This trend is evident in how the Lim family successfully blends their cultural roots into their culinary stories, attracting both loyal customers and new food lovers.
As food trends evolve, the Lim family’s commitment to their heritage makes their offerings stand out. For those looking to explore deeper flavors, their restaurants provide a delicious gateway to Cambodian culture, wrapped in the familiar comfort of Chinese-American cuisine.
You can explore more about their journey at Kim Long and Hermosa, or dive into the delightful dishes at Googoo’s Table.
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