Cambodian cuisine may not be as popular as that of its neighbors, Thailand and Vietnam, but it’s no less tasty than theirs. Cambodia's cuisine should be part of your overall experience when visiting the country. A Cambodian meal usually consists of soup, a main fish dish, vegetables, rice, salad, and soup. Fresh fruit and sticky rice are frequently used to make Cambodian sweet treats. So, here are the top ten foods to try while visiting there.
Fish Amok (steamed coconut fish in banana leaves)
As part of the Cambodian diet, rice and freshwater fish are vital components given their abundance. Amok is a beloved national dish that is composed of fish, coconut milk, and curry paste. All these are combined and served in a banana leaf cup with coconut cream on top, then steamed. Another popular variant is amok chouk, which consists of snails with curry that are steamed inside their shells. It is typically served with a plate of freshly steamed rice.
Twa Ko (Cambodian Sausage)
The Cambodian sausage, also known as twa koh, is made from beef or pork and spices. It is just as delicious as anything you would make at home, with at least 20–25% fat. The twa koh can be eaten as a snack, served with steamed rice and vegetables, or barbecued, grilled, or pan-fried. In addition to pork belly, another popular ingredient is duck fat.
Kuy Teav
Kuy teav is a type of soup that is composed of pork or beef stock, rice vermicelli, and various garnishes like bean sprouts and scallions. You can also add various types of meat, such as pork, chicken, fish balls, beef, and seafood. Depending on the region, it is typically served with a sweet, spicy, garlic sauce and a thin slice of lime, which add to its flavor. If you are out looking for a kuy teav shop, you can easily find one at an open-air food stall at any market.
Nom Banh Chok (Khmer noodles)
Noms banh chok is a popular Khmer noodle dish that is usually eaten for breakfast. It includes rice noodles, green fish gravy, cucumbers, green beans, mint leaves, banana blossoms, and bean sprouts. Kanom jeen is a Thai dish that is very similar to it. You should not skip out on having this noodle-based dish there.
Chicken and Banana Flower Salad
This salad is the ideal way to stave off midday hunger pangs, as it is served with refreshing and light chicken breast slices, crunchy banana blossom flowers, fried shallots, garlic, chilies, and lemongrass, along with fresh lime squeezed on top. Sounds delicious.
Bai Sach Chrouk (Grilled Pork and Broken Rice)
The Bai Sach Chrouk is pork marinated in coconut milk or garlic and grilled slowly before being served with broken or fractured rice and a small bowl of clear chicken broth, as well as some fresh vegetables. It is eaten all over the country, particularly in busy neighborhoods, and is extremely popular and sold in many middle- and upper-class restaurants. You may try it with iced coffee since it pairs very well.
Beef Loc Lac
Stir-fried beef strips are the signature item here, served on a bed of lettuce leaves with sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, and rings of raw onion slices. A fried egg can be added to complete the meal. Kampot pepper is the best way to create the flavors of this dish. The lime juice and pepper combination is the best dish.
Kuy Teav (Noodle Soup)
Noodle soups with beef or pork stock and rice vermicelli are served with bean sprouts and green onions as toppings in Kuy Teav. You can add meat, such as pork, chicken, fish balls, beef, and seafood, as well as vegetables. In addition to the flavors that begin with the real flavors of the open-air food stalls, sweet, spicy garlic sauce and a slice of fresh lime may be added. Head to the outdoor food stalls at any market, and you will find kuy teav shops in no time.
Crab and pepper
This scrumptious dish is only available in the coastal town of Kep, yet it's the place to find it at its best. Crabs caught daily and sold at the bustling Crab Market are served in a variety of crab and pepper stir-fries at restaurants and crab shacks throughout Kampot.
Lok Lak (Stir-Fried beef in brown sauce)
This dish is stir-fried beef slices (or pork) in a light brown sauce and served with rice and/or green salad and pepper sauce. The taste of the dish varies depending on the chef and the region. It is a traditional Khmer dish that should be on your must-have list of dishes in Cambodia.