What to eat in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
a guide to the best street food in Cambodia's capital
Before I had ever traveled abroad, I could have named off a list of Thai or Vietnamese dishes if you had asked me to. However Cambodian food had always been a bit of an enigma for me. Even after ten years living in Southeast Asia and countless border hops, visa runs, and vacations to the Kingdom of Cambodia, I never really was able to get a grasp on Cambodian food. It always seemed a bit more impenetrable to outsiders than the cuisine of other neighboring countries.
That all changed this year, when I set off to Phnom Penh with the intention of discovering some of the best dishes that the "Kingdom of Wonder" had to offer.
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| The Royal Palace, Phnom Penh, Cambodia (located near some of the city's best street food) |
Thank you to Lost Plate Food Tours who helped me get my introduction to Cambodian food during a morning tuk-tuk food tour in Phnom Penh! Check out Lost Plate to find fantastic food tours in Cambodia, China, and the USA!
Lost Plate Food Tours: https://lostplate.com/
Here are some of the most iconic dishes that you must try during your visit to Phnom Penh, the vibrant and bustling capital of the Kingdom of Cambodia. From breakfast noodles and strong, sweet coffee to hand-pulled noodle soup with chicken and grilled fish curry, Cambodia is one of the lesser-known yet most delicious destinations for anyone seeking out amazing food around the world.
Lost Plate Food Tours: https://lostplate.com/
Here are some of the most iconic dishes that you must try during your visit to Phnom Penh, the vibrant and bustling capital of the Kingdom of Cambodia. From breakfast noodles and strong, sweet coffee to hand-pulled noodle soup with chicken and grilled fish curry, Cambodia is one of the lesser-known yet most delicious destinations for anyone seeking out amazing food around the world.
Kuyteav, or Pork Noodles (with Khmer Milk Coffee)
by Sry Restaurant, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Kuyteav, or Pork Noodles with Khmer Coffee - traditional local Phnom Penh breakfast (theworldofstreetfood.com) |
| Kuyteav, or Pork Noodles (with Khmer Milk Coffee) in Phnom Penh, Cambodia |
Kuyteav noodles developed hundreds of years ago from Chinese-style rice noodle soup. The noodles are cooked with caramelized garlic oil, oyster sauce, soy sauce, and palm sugar, and added to a pork bone broth. The noodles are then mixed with thin slices of pork, minced pork, fried garlic, boiled carrots, Chinese kale, and a bit of (optional but recommended) fried chili. The bowl of soup comes with a side of bean sprouts and a sliced lime which you can add to your dish to taste.
Kuuteav is primarily a breakfast dish and is most often eaten before noon. Because of this, it's often served with coffee.
Handmade Noodle Soup with Chicken
by David's Restaurant Homemade Noodles, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
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| Handmade Noodle Soup with Chicken at David's Restaurant, Phnom Penh, Cambodia |
"Order the Noodles to See the Show", read a banner above David's Noodle, one of the most popular noodle restaurants in the Royal Palace neighborhood. In recent years, David's has gained a well-deserved reputation for serving up some of the absolute best noodles, all made by hand by the owner himself!
While staying in Phnom Penh, I made the pilgrimage to have dinner at David's to see if it's worth the hype, and let me tell you, making each noodle by hand really makes all the difference. The magic to a bowl of noodles at David's is in the artistry and care put in to making each and every bowl of soup.
Banh Chao, or Cambodian Turmeric Pancakes
by Sreyneang Restaurant, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
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| Banh Chao, or Cambodian Turmeric Pancakes in Phnom Penh, Cambodia |
Banh Chao are a type of thin pancake or crepe colored bright yellow with turmeric. It's a common snack in Cambodia and is related to some dishes that you might find in nearby southern Vietnam such as BΓ‘nh KhoΓ‘i. The pancakes are stuffed with minced pork and other rich, savory ingredients, and are served alongside a big plate of fresh Cambodian herbs.
Lort Cha, or Cambodian Fried Noodles with Egg and Fried PΓ’tΓ©
by Sok Lang Lort Cha, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
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| Lort Cha, or Cambodian Fried Noodles with Egg and Fried PΓ’tΓ© in Phnom Penh, Cambodia |
Lort cha is one of the most popular and iconic Cambodian street food dishes. Lort cha are a type of thick and chewy rice noodle (sometimes called "pin noodles" in English) which are stir-fried with a ton of aromatic ingredients and often topped with a fried egg. Lort cha can be found in shops, stalls, and restaurants all across the country.
Grilled Fish Amok - a modern take on Cambodia's National Dish
by Banteay Srey Restaurant, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
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| Grilled Fish Amok - a modern take on Cambodia's National Dish in Phnom Penh, Cambodia |
Fish amok is the national dish of Cambodia. Fish amok is a type of steamed curry with a thick, custard-like consistency. The dish originated from Khmer royal cuisine, and its origins date back to the Angkor Period of the ancient Khmer Empire.
Banteay Srey Restaurant in Phnom Penh, Cambodia serves the traditional steamed amok, but they also have a very special dish on their menu. Putting a modern twist on an ancient classic, they also sell a one-of-a-kind grilled amok!
Bai Sach Chruk, or Cambodian Grilled Pork and Rice
by the restaurant on the corner of Street 292, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
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| Bai Sach Chruk, or Cambodian Grilled Pork and Rice in Phnom Penh, Cambodia |
In the morning hours, as the city wakes, restaurants, shops, and stalls selling bai sach chruk, or grilled pork and rice, open, serving fresh breakfast to people on their way to work. Bai sach chruk is one of Cambodia's most popular dishes and is a beloved breakfast staple.
The pork is the star of the show, of course. The pork is marinaded overnight, then grilled over charcoal before being cut into thin slices and served over white rice.
The marinade itself is a secret, and only the shop owners know the exact recipe, but it typically involves fish sauce, palm sugar, and various herbs. It is served with half of an egg boiled in a mix of herbs and spices.
More City Food Guides from The World of Street Food
From time to time, we like to recap some of our favorite posts and give you our recommendations for some of our favorite dishes in various cities around the world! Here are some other city food guides in Southeast Asia that you might be interested in!
Hanoi, Vietnam: What to eat in Hanoi? : 10 Cheap and delicious dishes!
Hue, Vietnam: Must-Try Food, Drinks, and Desserts in Hue, Vietnam
Luang Prabang, Laos: Food Guide to Luang Prabang, Laos: Secret Laotian Food Gems in Luang Prabang
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