Cambodia
Cambodian Food Guide for Travelers
Cambodian (Khmer) cuisine is Southeast Asia's gentlest: less fiery than Thai, less pungent than Vietnamese, with complex layers from kroeung (spice paste) and prahok (fermented fish paste).
Khmer Gentle Flavours
Milder than neighbours. Flavour from kroeung and prahok. Complex, aromatic, approachable.
Market Eating
Phsar Leu in Siem Reap, Central Market in Phnom Penh. Point at what looks good.
Kampot Pepper
Protected Geographical Indication status. Complex, aromatic. Visit pepper farms.
Street Food and Insects
Fried tarantulas, crickets, silkworm are traditional protein. Less adventurously: grilled corn, fruit, sugarcane juice.
Must-Try Dishes
Fish Amok
$$Steamed fish curry in banana leaf: coconut, kroeung, egg create a mousse-like texture. The national dish.
Contains fish, coconut, eggs; gluten-free
Lok Lak
$Stir-fried beef with pepper-lime dipping sauce, lettuce, fried egg, and rice.
Contains meat, eggs, soy
Nom Banh Chok
$Rice noodles with green fish curry sauce, bean sprouts, fresh herbs. Breakfast staple.
Contains fish; rice noodles gluten-free
Bai Sach Chrouk
$Grilled garlic and coconut pork over rice with pickled vegetables. Morning favourite.
Contains meat, coconut; gluten-free
Kampot Pepper Crab
$$Fresh crab with world-famous Kampot peppercorns.
Contains shellfish; gluten-free
Fried Tarantula
$Deep-fried spiders from Skuon: crispy outside, soft inside. Iconic.
Gluten-free
Menu Vocabulary
| Term | Meaning | Category |
|---|---|---|
| Bai | Rice | Staples |
| Samlor | Soup/stew | Courses |
| Chha | Stir-fried | Cooking Methods |
| Ang | Grilled | Cooking Methods |
| Sach ko | Beef | Proteins |
| Sach moan | Chicken | Proteins |
| Trey | Fish | Proteins |
| Kroeung | Aromatic paste | Sauces |
| Prahok | Fermented fish paste | Sauces |
| Kit luy | The bill | Dining |
Dietary Restriction Guide
Vegetarian
Gentler on vegetarians than Thai. Vegetable amok, tofu dishes, morning glory stir-fry. Say 'ot sach' (no meat).
Vegan
Prahok in almost everything. Vegetable stir-fries, rice, fruit. Siem Reap and Phnom Penh have some vegan restaurants.
Gluten-Free
Khmer cuisine is rice-based and gluten-free friendly. Amok, grilled meats, soups are safe. Avoid wheat noodle dishes.
Common Allergies
Fish and prahok ubiquitous. Peanuts in some salads. Coconut in curries. Allergy awareness is lower.
Ordering Tips
- •Amok is the must-try. If a restaurant makes good amok, everything else will be good.
- •Markets are the best places to eat.
- •Kampot pepper is world's finest: buy some to take home.
- •Tipping not traditional but appreciated: $1-2 at restaurants. USD widely accepted.