Mona Sang

Chef

Mona Sang Executive Chef at Khmai Fine Dining “My mother is my biggest inspiration.” Mona and her mother Sarom Sang have done more than just bicker in the kitchen. They have built and created a safe space and home for Cambodian culture. Sarom and Mona almost didn’t make this dream a reality. They both fled Cambodia and escaped the genocide in the 80’s committed by the Khmer Rouge. Mona and her family immigrated to the US when Mona was a toddler. Her mother worked tirelessly to bring enough food and love to the table every day to get by. Sarom worked out of the church kitchen cooking for the community. These days of hardship are the day's Mona will never forget and always hold true to her heart on how remarkable her mother truly is. As the years went by after college, Mona built a family of her own and was offered a position at Lettuce Entertain you group in Chicago IL where she worked for six years. This is where Mona developed her culinary skills and her love of cooking. Unfortunately, like many others, Mona suffered setbacks during the pandemic. Mona was furloughed, and her mother had to close her catering operation. Mona and her mother experienced more hardships and setbacks with losing her brother. Sarmon fell into a frozen emotional state, much like a coma. Mona started cooking different dishes in the kitchen, the dishes that she once would cook with her mother and that she taught her. Slowly but surely, Sarmon started to awaken and started cooking with mona. Mona started posting their dishes to Social media. They were originally surprised by the love, curiosity, and excitement around Cambodian cuisine. They returned to the church kitchen, and Mona Bella Catering was born. Offering pop-up dinners and door-to-door service. With the love of family, Cambodian culture and cooking, they knew they needed a permanent space to call home. Creating a residency in Rogers Park where the entire family feels a connection just made sense. Rogers park is a part of our family. In June 2022, the doors of Khami Fine Dining opened. Mona wanted to be sure that the restaurant represented her family roots and her Cambodian culture. Building on the words Khmer which is the language and ethnicity of the native. Cambodians and mai, the Khmer word for mother Mona and her mother have been able to share their love of family and love of Cambodian culture every single day. Khmai fine dining builds on authentic Cambodian flavors and gives back to the Cambodian community here in Rogers Park and in the Midwest. With the support of the Cambodian community and those that have been with them through the beginning, even in the church kitchen days. Khmai Fine Dining has received notable awards, such as Semi-finalist of the James Beard Award for Best New Restaurant Eaters 2022 Chef and Chicago Eaters' best new restaurant. Mona and her mother really are living “The American Dream.”
In December of 2023 Mona and her mother knew they were ready for a new journey. They closed the doors of there Howard Rogers Park location and opened up a new and improved restaurant still in rogers park right across from Loyola campus. Opening up two concepts in one restaurant in June. Our newest concept being Kaun Khmai translating to the Children of Cambodia. Chef and her mother can’t wait to blossom in their new location and continue bringing Cambodian culture and flavors to Chicago.