Before exploring the unique attractions of Phnom Penh, be sure to indulge in the diverse cuisine of the capital city. With many similarities between Khmer cuisine and neighbouring countries’ regional cuisines, visitors to Phnom Penh will find many delicious dishes that are a part of Cambodian culture.
Num Banh Chok – Traditional Khmer Noodles
Num Banh Chok (also referred to as Khmer Noodle) is a local favourite sold by many vendors in the streets of Phnom Penh. This dish consists of delicate rice noodles fermented before serving, and topped with a thick creamy broth made of curry. The broth is blended with fish, lemongrass, turmeric, and many aromatic herbs such as basil, mint, banana blossom, and cucumber.
Num Banh Chok has an excellent light, aromatic taste that makes it ideal for lunch and breakfast; many visitors to Cambodia say they love the fresh and herbal flavour of this dish. You can find local Cambodian residents eating this dish all around Phnom Penh. It’s served from both street stalls and smaller family-owned restaurants. If you want to truly enjoy Phnom Penh life, tasting its local food is one of the must-try experiences for you!
Grilled Chicken Skewers – Yakitori Style Street Snack
Phnom Penh has taken Yakitori, a Japanese food item, and made it its own by adding a distinct smoky flavor. Strolling through the night markets in Phnom Penh, you’ll find it almost impossible not to be drawn in by the delicious smells of grilled chicken skewers cooked over charcoal. The vendors will have a variety of items available, including chicken thighs, hearts, and grilled vegetables, such as mushrooms and eggplant.
The prices are very reasonable and make for an excellent snack while you’re out shopping in the markets. In addition to Yakitori, customers can also purchase rice, fried potatoes, and salads at most stalls that sell Yakitori and make it a full meal. Yakitori is an ideal street food option for travelers who want something quick, filling, and affordable. Eating Yakitori while strolling through the night markets of Phnom Penh is a wonderful experience.
Bai Sach Chrouk – Cambodian Grilled Pork with Rice
For visitors to Cambodia, especially first-time visitors, Bai Sach Chrouk is a classic comforting food in Phnom Penh that should not be missed. It consists of thinly sliced pork marinated in garlic and coconut milk, which is then grilled over charcoal. The result is moist, tender meat that has both a sweet and smoky flavor profile. Bai Sach Chrouk is typically served with a light broth that contains pieces of pickled ginger, slices of cucumber, and fresh greens.
As Bai Sach Chrouk is sold at numerous different food stalls, each vendor adds their own special ingredients and preparation methods, providing diners with vastly different flavors depending on the particular location of the stall. It is most popular during the late afternoon and early evening hours when customers are busy with work and trying to enjoy a cheap yet filling meal while visiting Phnom Penh.
Fish Amok – Signature Cambodian Curry
One of the world’s best examples of Khmer cooking, Fish Amok, is widely regarded as one of Cambodia’s most famous dishes. By combining prahok (fermented fish paste), coconut milk, and palm sugar, this traditional dish produces a very flavourful and aromatic curry that has a creamy texture. Wrapped in banana leaves and steamed, Fish Amok produces an embracingly smooth texture with an intense flavour.
Although there are variations on Fish Amok that may use chicken or other types of fish, traditional Fish Amok is most commonly made using fish such as catfish and snakehead fish, along with prahok. The coconut produces natural sweetness and counteracts the rich spiciness of this dish. Most travellers recommend trying the Fish Amok at least once while travelling to Cambodia.
Phnom Penh Noodles – Kuy Teav
Kuy Teav (or Nam Vang Noodles) is a comforting, traditional dish that originates in Cambodia’s capital city of Phnom Penh. The broth is made by simmering a combination of dried squid, many spices, and pork bones over low heat for hours to create a rich, delicious base. The noodles are made with rice, then topped with minced pork, shrimp, and fresh herbs. Kuy Teav can be eaten as breakfast or when feeling hungry late at night!
Vendors on the street offer you the option of adding personal touches to your Kuy Teav, such as lime, chili pepper, or pickled garlic. The dish has become very popular with both locals and Vietnamese travelers, and Kuy Teav has become a culinary icon in Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh. If you want to get the most authentic bowl of Kuy Teav, go to a traditional stall and give it a try!
Num Plae AI – Cambodian Sweet Rice Dumplings
Num Plae Ai is a delicious and attractive food in Phnom Penh that closely resembles Vietnamese floating rice cakes. These chewy, bite-sized dumplings are made from rice flour and contain approximately palm sugar filling. After cooking, they are then coated with shredded coconut, giving them a wonderful coconut aroma and texture in addition to their soft and gooey bite. When you take a bite, you will discover a warm sweetness that melts in your mouth. Due to their vibrant colours, colour makes they make a treat for the eyes.
You can easily find Num Plae Ai for sale in many street food stalls and markets throughout Phnom Penh. A small serving is great for satisfying your sweet tooth, while also allowing you the opportunity to try some of the traditional Khmer treats!
Ngeav Chamboy – Steamed Clams with Lemongrass
Ngeav Chamboy is a very popular food to eat while you’re out in Phnom Penh experiencing the energy of the city. It’s made up of clams cooked with lemongrass, chilli, and lime leaves, which adds an amazing aroma and flavour to the clams when they are being cooked. The sweetness of the clams is complemented by the strong flavours from Cambodian herbs like Thai basil, coriander, red chilli, and garlic. When you eat it hot, it is a great way to enjoy a snack with your friends while drinking an ice-cold beverage. The smell of the dish permeates the air before you even see the vendor selling it.
This dish captures the essence of Cambodia’s tropical cuisine so perfectly; when you share a plate of steaming hot clams and converse with the local people in Cambodia, your memory of the dish is just as vibrant as the actual taste and experience.
Num Pang – Cambodian Baguette Bread
Cambodia has unearthed its delightful version of the baguette bread with a Num Pang that shows off the country’s French colonial heritage in a distinctive way. The crispy bread is filled with either pâté, butter, or mayonnaise, and on top of this, you can add pickled green papaya, carrot, any variety of cold cuts, and a sprinkling of chili flakes. The combination results in a deliciously unique blend of sweet and sour, richness and spiciness.
Num Pang can be found throughout the streets of Phnom Penh, being sold at numerous street vendors. It is cheap, filling, and great for traveling with catered lunches. If you’re looking for something cheap but yummy, then Num Pangs must be the choice.
Nom Banh Chok Morning Curry Noodles
In Cambodia, Nom Banh Chok is regarded as the national dish and is a common morning food in Phnom Penh among local Cambodian people. The rice noodles used to make Nom Banh Chok are handmade from a mixture of fermented rice flour, which gives them a slightly sour flavour. After the rice noodles have been made, they are served with curry made from fish, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, turmeric, and various other spices.
There are also additional toppings such as bean sprouts, cucumber, herbs, and a sprinkling of chili for added spice on top of the curry. Eating Nom Banh Chok at a small roadside stall in Phnom Penh allows visitors to enjoy and experience the rhythm of daily life in Phnom Penh. Not to try this dish would be to lose out on a large part of the true Khmer experience.
Mi Char – Stir-fried Egg Noodles
Mi Char is also one of the most common forms of street food and is enjoyed by many students and workers in Phnom Penh as a comfort food item. This fast-moving meal consists of soft egg noodles, quickly stir-fried with beef, fried egg, or vegetables in hot woks, creating addictive textures of chewy, soft noodles, tender meat, and crispy greens. Mi Char vendors sell their product along with chilli sauce to add a spicy kick.
Mi Char is frequently consumed for breakfast and late-night gatherings, providing a quick, inexpensive, and delicious option for anyone on the street in search of street food options. After touring or just wanting a snack, Mi Char is always a good option.
Pumpkin Custard – Cambodian Steamed Egg Dessert
Pumpkin Custard is one of the most enjoyable and surprising desserts that can be found in Phnom Penh. As the vendor takes out the seeds from the whole pumpkin, they mix together with eggs, coconut, and sugar to create a custard that becomes set when cooked over heat. While cooking, the custard also makes the inside of the pumpkin soft and sweet naturally. Once cut, the golden colour of the custard is contrasted against the outside of the orange pumpkin.
The flavour offers a creamy texture and fragrance with warming characteristics, the perfect dessert. This is an example of the innovation and resourcefulness of Khmer cooking traditions. If you want to experience something unique, visit one of the many local markets and Food Stalls where this creation is available to purchase!
Cambodian Fried Insects
When visiting Cambodia, the adventurer inside you, who is also a foodie, will surely enjoy serving yourself to one of the most beloved foods in Cambodia. This is actually one of the most interesting foods served in the Temple Land, and it involves a variety of bugs such as grasshoppers, giant spiders, scorpions, ants, and silkworms, which are prepared differently, such as fried until crunchy, stir-fried with grass and chili, steamed with spices, and barbecued to have a charred aroma.
Although such foods look intimidating and downright disturbing at first, travelers are often pleasantly surprised by the flavors, which are savory, nutty, crunchy, and high in protein. When it comes to eating insect cuisine in Cambodia, it is more than just a meal. This is because it is an experience that pushes the limits of what you are comfortable with and is often a great story to go back home with.
Final Thoughts: Is the Food in Phnom Penh Worth Trying?
Absolutely. The food in Phnom Penh is definitely worth indulging in. Whether it is the Khmer traditional dishes, which have been savored by people for generations, or new and innovative ones, influenced by cuisine around the world, each dish has a story to tell. If you are a foodie, you are not just having a meal; you are on a journey. Willing to discover the flavors of Cambodia? Begin your discovery journey to Phnom Penh with Seni World.
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