By Jeanni Ritchie
You might not expect to find Cambodian coffee and culture tucked away in Pineville, but step inside Khmericano and you’ll discover a story as rich as the dark roast in your cup. Owner Bibi Leang and his wife Kristen have built more than a café — together, they’ve created a gathering space that blends Southeast Asian flavors with Central Louisiana hospitality.
The shop offers more than coffee, serving craft espressos, teas, and lemonades made with homemade sauces and syrups that blend Khmer and American flavors. Many of their recipes feature ingredients sourced directly from the local farmer’s market, keeping the menu fresh and rooted in the community.
On most days, Khmericano is known for its specialty coffees and delicate pastries. But once a week, on Food Fridays, Bibi also prepares traditional Cambodian dishes — cooked fresh, served once, and never reheated so the integrity of the food is preserved. When I visited on a Thursday before leaving town, he had posted on Facebook that he’d be cooking that day for special guests, and others quickly placed orders too.
I was honored that he added an extra day — a Food Thursday — to accommodate my birthday travel plans last month. I’m sure the others who got to enjoy his cooking a that day were just as grateful.
Speaking of other diners, many told us we need to come back for Khai Soi— a Cambodian noodle soup made with rice noodles, fragrant broth, herbs, and sometimes beef or pork. Regulars insist it’s not to be missed.
For my meal, I let Bibi choose what to serve. He brought a traditional breakfast rice plate (even though it was technically lunchtime). The dish came with sticky white rice, a savory pork topping on half and chicken on the other half, crisp almost-pickled vegetables, and a small bowl of pineapple — mandatory for all dishes. I followed the tradition of cleansing my palate with a bite of pineapple before trying it all. The star of my plate was the pork over rice, and I’d love to try it over his popular sticky mango rice one day.
It was an introduction not just to Cambodian flavors, but to the entire process of enjoying your meal.
And then came my favorite part of all. Off to the side, Khmericano offers a small children’s playroom. While others lingered over conversation, I stepped into a world of imagination — reading picture books and joining a tea party with a little girl in a flowing blue Elsa dress. It was a moment that reminded me food is only part of what nourishes us; sometimes it’s community, connection, and play.
Khmericano is more than a place to grab a latte or a pastry. It’s a space where cultures meet, children laugh, and strangers leave feeling like family. Bibi and Kristen’s passion shines through in every detail, and for that reason alone, it’s worth a visit.
Khmericano is located at 3919 Highway 28 East, Suite A, in Pineville. They are open Monday from 6 AM to 12 PM, Tuesday through Friday from 6 AM to 2 PM, and Saturday from 8 AM to 2 PM. Closed Sundays. They can be reached at 318-704-1558.
