Your Ultimate Food Guide in Cambodia

Food is one of the most exciting parts when it comes to traveling. Doing a local food crawl is definitely one of the must-dos. Located southeast of Asia, we are here in this mythical destination, Cambodia. Like the country, Cambodian cuisine is fascinating. MyProGuide has summarized what to know about Cambodia food and what to eat! 

First thing first: what to expect for Cambodian food?  

Thanks to the Tonle Sap lake and the Mekong River, freshwater fish is a staple food in Cambodia. Cambodian food often features fish and rice on the menus of local restaurants. It shares similarities with the food of its neighbors Thailand and Vietnam, which are also famous for contrasting flavors and plenty of herbs and leaves. 

Top 5 Cambodia Dishes That You Can't-Miss Out On 

1. Fish Amok

For those curry lovers, be sure to try Fish amok. Mostly made with fish, but can also be made with chicken or beef, this classic dish is rich and creamy curry sauce that is said to be the most popular Cambodian dish. Served and wrapped in a banana leaf, the iconic look and flavorful taste make fish amok the national dish of Cambodia. 

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2. Banana Blossom Salad

Almost seen everywhere in restaurants all over Cambodia, this refreshing salad can be enjoyed at any time during the day. Raw banana blossom is finely shredded and tossed with chopped garlic, herbs and flavorful lemongrass, often with chicken or shrimp. 

3. Lap Khmer (Lime-marinated Khmer beef salad)

Featuring thin slices of beef which marinated in fresh lime juice with lots of garlic, fish sauce, basil and bell peppers. It is then finally topped with lots of chilies. Be careful, it might be really spicy and comes with a strong kick! 

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4. Nhoim Troyong Chiek (Chicken and banana flower salad)

A typical salad of Khmer people in Cambodia, it is a colorful dish with a refreshing and light taste. During a dazzling summer, you surely need to have a bowl of Nhoim Troyong Chiek. This dish is made of tender slices of chicken breast, served with crunchy banana blossom flower, garlic, herbs, garlic, spicy chilies, and lemongrass, finishing up with fresh lime juice. 

5. Beef loc lac

Its name comes from the Vietnamese “bò lúc lắc” (shaking beef), a dish that became popular in the French colonial era, and it is a favorite among Cambodians. This mouth-watering dish consists of cubes of marinated beef, quickly stir-fried and served on lettuce leaves with sliced tomatoes, cucumbers and onions, usually with rice and sometimes a fried egg. Not only does the delicious meat make it an amazing dish, but the fresh and fruity dipping sauce of lime juice and pepper coming along also brings out all the flavor. 

Go on a mouth-watering Street food tour

Street food is quite a culture in Cambodia. Counting down the top street food in Cambodia, before starting on a feast? Here are some markets that are known for their food, don’t miss out!

Addresses:  

Phnom Penh Night Market: Preah Sisowath Quay, Phnom Penh, Cambodia 

Phsar Leu Thom Thmey (Psar Leu): National Road 6, Siem Reap – the city’s biggest local market, best in the morning

Opening days and hours of the night markets vary, so check locally before you go.

1. Grilled pork on skewers

The concept of skewers is popular almost everywhere around the world. While walking down the markets in Cambodia, you might be drawn by the mouthwatering aromas of these skewers. Most of the time, grilled skewers are sold in carts. Served with pickled veggies with together with rice, they are loaded with herbs and condiments. Try some to enjoy an authentic Cambodian style BBQ. 

2. Lort Cha(stir-fried noodles)

Made of thick rice noodles, various vegetables such as spring onions, chives, beans, this dish then is mixed with beef and topped off with an egg in the end. This is the perfect lunch or dinner to have while roaming around the streets in Cambodia. To spot a Lort Cha, find vendors with their big frying pans and a wide collection of ingredients. It is always fun to see how the food is prepared.  

3. Kdam Chaa (Fried Crab)

Crab is Cambodia’s most famous seafood, especially at the crab market in the seaside town of Kep, which makes fried crab (Kdam Chaa in Khmer) a must-eat. The classic version is stir-fried with fresh green Kampot peppercorns. 

4. Chive Cake (Nom Ka Chai)

With the Chinese Influence, chive cake is a typical street food in southeast Asia. Cambodians have their own twist: chives wrapped in a rice-flour dough, pan-fried until crispy and served with a sweet-and-spicy fish sauce dip. Usually, they are sold on bicycles, it is common and popular everywhere in Cambodia. 

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5. Num Pang: Typical Cambodian Sandwich

You might have already seen something similar in Vietnam: the baguette sandwich. Influenced by the French colonization, Cambodia named it Num pang. It is mostly meaty, served with the ingredients such as pate, ham or pork and come along with cucumber, carrots, chives, and onions to balance the greasy taste.

6. Coconut Ice Cream

Time for dessert! Try Cambodian coconut ice-cream after a nice dinner. Usually served in an iconic coconut bowl, it is topped with delicious sweet corn and coconut meat depending on your preference. 

7. Cambodian Iced Coffee

Can’t begin your day without a cup of coffee? Well, same for the Cambodians, a day doesn’t start without a cup of fine iced coffee, which is gah-fay dteuk-gork in Khmer. This sweet, strong, refreshing drink has become one of the essentials for the Cambodians’ daily life. The beverage sometimes comes in a plastic cup or in a plastic bag with a straw inside.

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Whether you are a food lover or not, Cambodian food will turn you into a foodie! Apart from the mythical, charming paradise attractions in Cambodia, food is surely the key to enjoy this beautiful country thoroughly. Don’t forget to enjoy the amazing food! Let’s dig in! Prefer to eat with a local? Try a food-tasting evening tour in Siem Reap.