Quick Bite

Modern Cambodian: Cambo Box in New Brunswick

Cambo Box in New Brunswick has found a devoted following among Rutgers students for its small but highly customizable menu of modern Cambodian dishes. It's also a convenient quick lunch spot if you’re on jury duty at the nearby courthouse.

Lemongrass chicken rice bowl. Photo by Shelby Vittek

Cambo Box
New Brunswick
342 George Street
732-365-4158

Open: Lunch and dinner, daily

Price: $ BYO

Style: Popular among Rutgers students, this hip, Instagramable eatery serves inexpensive Cambodian food with a modern twist. The focal point of the dining area is a bright “Treat Yo Self” neon sign that hangs on a plant-filled wall. Bamboo plants and table-top cacti add to the earthy dining vibe.

The Scoop: Cambo Box, opened in August 2018, shares a restaurant space with Poke Nagomi. The joint venture was created by Eric Hang and Tim Wong, who helped chef-owner Sebastian Karyadi open nearby Ramen Nagomi in 2016 before he branched out on his own.

The Menu: Options are limited, but highly customizable. Start by choosing a protein, such as lemongrass steak or chicken, soy garlic chicken, curry tofu or coconut shrimp. You can order them on a sandwich, served banh mi style with pickled Asian vegetables, cucumbers and fresh cilantro on a crisp roll, or in a rice box, with jasmine rice, crispy garlic and lime. Free add-ons include crispy shallots and extra chili mayo. You can also add curry sauce for $1 or a fried egg for $1.50.

Heads Up: Cambo Box makes for a quick, convenient lunch if you’re on jury duty at the nearby Middlesex County Courthouse. Street parking in this part of downtown New Brunswick can be hard to find. The closest parking garages are around the corner on Church Street and by the New Brunswick train station.

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What are Quick Bites? Short takes on casual, affordable dining.

Restaurant Details

  • Cuisine Type:
    Asian
  • Price Range:
    Inexpensive
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