Hawk & Sophia Tea
Soaring Back to Cambodian Taste
Episode 172
Hawk & Sophia, an inspiring AAPI husband-and-wife team who have redefined the classic wing experience with their distinctive recipes and techniques. They started started the trailblazing restaurant Shlap Muan together in San Francisco, later bringing it down to Southern California.
Sophia and Hawk’s journey to Shlap Muan began with a desire to escape the confines of corporate life. Initially launching a sandwich shop, the couple soon recognized the need for a distinct identity to stand out in San Francisco’s competitive food scene. Inspired by Hawk’s father’s delectable chicken wings, they pivoted to focus on this cherished dish, blending nostalgic flavors with their innovative touch.
Hawk’s background includes growing up in his family’s Chinese-Cambodian restaurant, where he experienced the rigorous demands of the restaurant industry firsthand. Despite his early resolve never to work in a restaurant, his fond childhood memories of cooking and enjoying food led him back to his culinary roots.
Shlap Muan, which translates to ‘chicken wings’ in Khmer, stands out for its innovative approach to this popular dish. Sophia and Hawk have crafted all-original recipes and unique techniques, including their special fry method that delivers wings that are crispy, juicy, and notably less oily than traditional versions. Their sauces and dry seasonings are exclusively their own, reflecting their dedication to culinary excellence.
Sophia and Hawk are driven by a genuine passion for food and a commitment to making their customers’ days brighter. Through Shlap Muan, they aim to foster connections and spread joy with every dish they serve.
Today, Shlap Muan delights customers at locations in Long Beach and SmorgasburgLA.
Instagram: @shlapmuan
Hawk & Sophia Tea Takeaways
Cultural Representation Through Food
Hawk and Sophia T. are passionate about representing Cambodian cuisine, which they feel is underrepresented compared to other Southeast Asian cuisines like Vietnamese and Thai. Their restaurant, Slap Muon, specializes in Cambodian chicken wings, aiming to bring authentic flavors to a broader audience.
Family Influence and Background
Both Hawk and Sophia have strong ties to the restaurant industry through their families. Hawk’s parents owned a restaurant, and Sophia grew up working in her mother’s nail salon and later in a steakhouse. These experiences, although initially met with resistance, eventually fueled their passion for food and entrepreneurship.
Adaptability and Resilience
The couple moved to San Francisco to start their own venture, seeking personal and professional growth away from their families’ expectations. They faced significant challenges, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, but adapted by delivering food to neighborhoods and maintaining strong customer relationships.
Unique Culinary Techniques
Slap Muon is known for its unique chicken wing preparation, which involves making the wings crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and dry to the touch. They offer a variety of flavors, including both dry seasonings and wet sauces, and do not serve traditional dipping sauces like ranch or blue cheese.
Customer-Centric Approach
Hawk and Sophia emphasize excellent customer service, including calling customers by their names instead of using numbers. They believe in creating a personal connection with their customers to enhance their dining experience.
Community and Family
The couple values their roots in the San Gabriel Valley (SGV) and aims to bring their culinary venture back to this community. They have strong ties to SGV, having grown up there and wanting to contribute to its diverse culinary landscape.
Hawk & Sophia Tea Quotes
On Cultural Representation:
“I always felt that the Cambodian culture was, and food especially, was underrepresented. The Vietnamese did a great job representing themselves. The Thais did a great job representing themselves. Westerners know about pho. Westerners know about pad thai. No one knows about Cambodia. Nobody knows about the Cambodian cuisine.”
On Family and Resilience:
“Once we moved away, then we were able to work on ourselves as a couple, as individuals, as people.”
On Customer Service:
“We want to get to know every single person. We want to build that relationship. Not just the transactions, like, hey, bye. Here’s your food. Okay, bye. I’ll see you next time.”
On Their Culinary Journey:
“I soon realized that I didn’t hate food, I love food. I’m a glutton. I might not look like it, but I’m a glutton. When I’m put around food, I just love the particular nuances of food.”
On Moving Back to SGV:
“We really wanted, we’ve always wanted to do something in SGV because that’s our home. We grew up there. We grew up here, we still live here, essentially.”
Show Notes
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Music Credits
Intro
Like it Loud, Dyalla, YouTube Audio Library
Stinger
Scarlet Fire (Sting), Otis McDonald, YouTube Audio Library
Outro
Indecision, Dyalla, YouTube Audio Library
Hawk & Sophia Tea
Starbucks on Garfield and Valley
This Starbucks is significant to Hawk and Sophia because it’s where they first met. Located across the street from The Hat, this place holds sentimental value for the couple.
Almansor Park
A place where they spent a lot of time training for Spartan races, running, and engaging in various physical activities. It holds many fond memories for them.
San Gabriel Valley in General
Both Hawk and Sophia have deep connections to various parts of SGV, including Alhambra and Rosemead, where they grew up and spent significant parts of their lives. They have fond memories of cycling, hiking, and enjoying the diverse cultural experiences the area offers.
