Southeast Asian Food Truck Spotlights Specialities of Laos and Cambodia

The Sticky Rice Spot got its start as a roving food vendor in 2018, appearing at events and local markets under a pop-up tent. It was a side project for owner Andrew Singo, who launched the itinerant eatery to bring more awareness to and increase representation of Southeast Asian cuisine in San Diego.

Using recipes from he and his fiancée’s families, drawing from their Laotian and Cambodian heritage, they began with a simple menu of street food — Khmer beef sticks, homemade meatball skewers, egg rolls, and papaya salad.

Though he’d like to transition into a brick-and-mortar someday, the prohibitive costs associated with opening a restaurant prompted them to first upgrade to a food truck.

Having quit his full-time job to focus on The Sticky Rice Spot, Ringo and the truck are currently stationed at 1619 G Street in the East Village, parked at the ARCO gas station from noon to 7 p.m. It’s also part of the Miguelitos Food Court on Saturdays in Chula Vista, along with several other food trucks including Lia’s Lumpia, and continues to post up on Sundays at the Lane Field Park Market. In addition to walk-up service, the truck also offers call-in or text ordering and delivery through third-party sites.

The menu now includes banh mi as well as Lao and Khmer specialties, including Cambodian lemongrass chicken stir-fry and sticky rice with Lao beef jerky and spicy chili sauce. Ringo told Eater that he’s also planning to add traditional soups and noodles.

© Courtesy photo
Sticky rice with Lao beef jerky

© Courtesy photo
Papaya salad