Exploring Cambodian Gastronomy with These 7 Dishes
Here we are again with another post about delicious dishes of Southeast Asian countries we have visited.
This time we have decided to tell you more about the dishes of typical Cambodian food, the finest preparations of the Khmer people that we have had the privilege to taste.
If you know a little about the history of this country, you know that its people have faced many challenges: famines, deaths, and poverty, and these are probably all reasons why Cambodian food hasn’t been able to shine and evolve like some of its neighbors.
Despite that, Cambodian cuisine and its most classic dishes turn out to be well-balanced, healthy, and aromatic, as all their ingredients are fresh and provide interesting nutritional properties.
Well, now it’s your turn to discover the dishes of Khmer cuisine that we enjoyed the most. Enjoy the culinary journey…
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Important tips for enjoying Cambodian food:
Let’s start with some tips that can be useful when traveling and trying Khmer cuisine:
- Cambodians consider spice to be a fundamental ingredient that enhances dishes, so most of their dishes are spicy, although less intense than those of neighboring countries.
- If you don’t like or can’t tolerate spice, let them know in advance; even though they might think you’re going to eat bland and flavorless food, they won’t have any problem omitting the chilies for you.
- Don’t be upset if all the dishes don’t arrive at your table at once; in their culture, they’re used to placing dishes in the center of the table and eating gradually, sampling a bit of everything.
- Always, and we repeat, always, dishes come with rice; don’t be surprised if, when ordering different dishes, they all come with rice.
- Remember that if you’re allergic to something (like seafood or shrimp, for example), you should be more careful when ordering Cambodian food. It’s not uncommon for them to use oyster or fish sauce to make their dishes more tasty.
Crab with Pepper (Chaa kdam / kdam chaa)– Cambodian food
Let’s dive right into what, in our opinion, is the culinary gem of Cambodian gastronomy. When two of the country’s best ingredients, Kep crab and Kampot pepper, are mixed and combined, it can result in something rich and delicious.
We went to the Kampot area specifically to taste and appreciate these two ingredients (considering that Kampot pepper is one of the most prized globally), and it was a trip worth every moment.
In the village of Kep, you can purchase the crab, still alive, from the local market and have it cooked right before your eyes; we assure you, it’s finger-licking good.
This dish is a true masterpiece of Cambodian food.
Steamed Fish Cake (Amok) – Cambodian food
Amok is undoubtedly the dish that represents Cambodia and its cuisine, and it can be considered the national dish.
This fish is mixed with various ingredients, including a base of coconut milk that includes fish sauce, eggs, and sugar.
The entire preparation is poured into little packets made with banana leaves that, once filled, are slowly cooked by steam.
The peculiarity of this Cambodian dish is the blend of typical Khmer spices, very similar to a Thai curry paste called Kroeung, which gives it the characteristic color and flavor of Cambodian cuisine.
In addition to fish, it is often prepared with other proteins or even with vegetables. In fact, we tried a version with pumpkin and cauliflower that was delicious. Naturally, it is served with rice on the side to accompany this cake with a mousse-like texture.
Pomelo Salad with prawns (Nhoam Krauch Thlong)– Cambodian food
After two hearty and substantial Cambodian dishes, it’s time to refresh the palate with this salad that is easier to eat than to pronounce.
The pomelo and prawns salad is a dish from typical Cambodian cuisine that is fresh and delicious, which you can enjoy on the hot days that this country usually experiences.
Shredded pomelo mixed with various fresh herbs (mint, cilantro, and Thai basil) is combined with boiled prawns, toasted peanuts, fresh chilies, and sometimes also thinly sliced cabbage. The dressing, in addition to pomelo juice, includes palm or coconut sugar, fish sauce, and lime juice. In short, an attractive, fresh, and delicious salad.
Stir-Fried Beef (Lok Lak)– Cambodian food
An emblematic dish of Khmer food, it is appreciated and favored by many tourists visiting the country. Probably, it’s the influence of French cuisine that makes this Cambodian dish so simple and yet rich, as with just a few steps, you can obtain a unique and delicious preparation.
Pieces of beef are carefully cut and marinated in a mixture of various ingredients, which, after resting in the marinade, are quickly seared and cooked in a hot wok. Everything is served on a bed of lettuce, cucumber, and tomato to add a fresh touch, and naturally, the essential jasmine rice completes the dish.
Often, a sauce is served on the side to add more depth to the dish, made with lime juice, soy sauce, ginger, garlic, Kampot pepper, and sometimes sesame oil. If you’re unsure of what to eat, this will always be a simple and delicious option for Cambodian food.
Scallion Pancakes (Num Kachay)– Cambodian food
These pancakes are one of the classic street food dishes that this country offers, and we definitely recommend trying them during your stay in Cambodia.
You can find them at all local food markets, and we’re sure they will surprise you for two reasons: their delicious texture and their incredibly low price.
After searching for information online (because the person selling them didn’t have a good level of English), we discovered that it takes quite some time to prepare them. The flattened balls are steamed beforehand, giving them that fluffy texture, and then they are seared on the griddle to achieve that bronzed color and crispy crust.
These pancakes should be a mandatory snack on your next trip to Cambodia.
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Khmer Noodle Soup (K’tieu) – Cambodian food
The classic noodle soup that every Asian country has, right?
Each one has its touch that makes it special and unique, like this fantastic soup from Cambodian gastronomy. Prepared like any soup your grandmother or aunt would make and cooked for many hours with care and love, this preparation is rich in different nuances, as several ingredients are used to give it body and flavor.
Once the broth is prepared, it is accompanied by various ingredients, like Asian noodles, bean sprouts, cilantro, ground pepper, and others, that add more aromas to this preparation, making it rich and hearty.
The only thing you need to keep in mind is that if you’re allergic to shrimp, it’s better not to eat it because it contains shrimp paste and dried mini shrimps. This typical Cambodian dish is the preparation we recommend if you’re on your first trip to Southeast Asia and still don’t feel confident eating everything that comes your way.
Fried Banana (Num Chek Chien)– Cambodian food
We wanted to finish this post with a dessert, and why not with one that we love? It may not be considered an authentic dessert, as it’s more likely to be found on the streets in markets, and we could define it as a snack. Nevertheless, fried bananas are delightfully sweet and rich, which you shouldn’t miss out on.
Typically, they are made with small bananas soaked in a liquid batter and fried, making them tender on the inside and crispy on the outside. Although you can find them throughout Southeast Asia, what makes them unique in Cambodia is that they add white and black sesame seeds to the batter to give them more crunchy nuances and a slight smoky touch.
A delight of Cambodian cuisine that we advise you to try.
Cambodian Food FAQs
How much does a meal cost in Cambodia?
The cost of a meal in Cambodia can vary depending on the type of establishment and the location. Generally, in a local restaurant or at a street food stall, you can find meals for as little as $2 to $5 USD. In more touristy or high-end restaurants, prices can range from $5 to $15 USD per dish.
How spicy is Cambodian food compared to other countries in Southeast Asia?
The level of spiciness in Cambodian food is moderate compared to other countries in Southeast Asia, but many dishes have a characteristic touch of spiciness.
What ingredients are characteristic of Cambodian cuisine, and what do they add to the dishes?
Characteristic ingredients of Cambodian cuisine include lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, fish sauce, and Kampot pepper, among others. These ingredients add unique and aromatic flavors to the dishes.
What cultural influences are reflected in Cambodian food?
Cambodian food reflects cultural influences from neighboring countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, and China, as well as French colonial influences.
How are traditional Cambodian dishes prepared, and what are the most common cooking methods used in Cambodian cuisine?
Traditional Cambodian dishes are prepared using cooking methods such as stir-frying, steaming, and grilling. Fresh ingredients and aromatic spices are essential in Cambodian cuisine to enhance the flavor of the dishes.
Conclusions – Laos food
Here concludes our post about the typical food of Cambodia that you definitely must try on your trip to this country.
As always, we could have included many more dishes and preparations, as, during our travels, we enjoyed trying everything (or almost everything) that local gastronomy has to offer. However, we want to give you the opportunity to be surprised by Cambodian cuisine, as we believe that discovering new things is an important part of any journey.
If you wish to add anything to this post, have noticed any errors, or simply have more curiosities, please don’t hesitate to write to us in the comments. We will be happy to respond to you as soon as possible.
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