Food does represent the culture and show you the way of how local people live their daily life. Trying local food offer you the scene of closure to Cambodian’s people while at the same time experiencing the taste, spices and ingredients that somehow given you the story of origin as well. 

These are the top 8 best dishes to try when you are visiting Cambodia, which you can find it anywhere across the country from small street vendor shop to high-class restaurant. 

1.     Fish Amok 

Fish Amok is one of the most favorite dishes among local and it has been a represent of Cambodian’s food to the world. The food is a combination of mix blended local spices, fish and coconut cream, which then mix together on the shaped-like-bowl banana leave and steaming it until tenderly ready to eat. In case you cannot eat fish, you can also ask for different meat such as Chicken and pork as well. 

Image source : International Kitchen 

2.  Khmer Noodle

There are a variety of noodle that you can enjoy in Cambodia and it can simply find it at the local market or street vendor

shop. The khmer noodle can be eaten throughout the day, whether you would like for breakfast, lunch and dinner.The soft texture of the noodle mixing with fresh vegies and the local curry soup is definitely a comfort food for every Cambodian. There are variety of ways you can eat the Khmer Noodle, which different from one region to another, however two favorites soups to mix with the noodle are Chicken Red Curry and Fish Green Curry Soup. 

3. Kuy Teav Soup 

Kuy Teav is technically translate as glass noodle soup, it is also one of the most favorite dishes among Cambodian’s people as well. Usually, people eat this in the morning as the breakfast or as dinner in the evening. Kuy Teav Soup is made by soften the glass noodle, mixing variety of boiled meat such as beef, pork, chicken and cover with the tasty of beef or pork broth. 

4.   Pork Rice 

This pork rice is a traditional and common breakfast for the local, you can find it in wet market, school canteen and almost every corner of the street. The pork or pork rib has soaked in mix ingredient overnight and only grill just before the time for breakfast, therefore the meat is still fresh and tender. In full plate, you will get rice , pork, fried egg, cup of pork broth and the pickle. 

5.  Green Curry with Beef 

Full of spices and burst of flavors, the green curry with beef is our most preferred dish among the curry dishes of Cambodian’s cuisine.  Blending the ingredient with Pro Hok (fermented fish) and adding the beef and vegies such as morning glory, chilly and many other vegetables as you would love to. The full of aromatic flavors is worth to try. 

6.     Beef Spicy with Basil

If you love something a bit spicier, you can ask for Fried spicy beef with basil. Beside beef, you can ask for pork, chicken, or any other meat that you can ask to add on, however, please make sure you ask the amount of chilly that you would like to put into the dishes to meet your desired. 

7.     Roasted Chicken 

If you happening to visit some local restaurant which is outskirt of the town, where local usually having their weekend well-spent with their friends or family, you can ask for roasted chicken. This is the go-to food for almost everyone as it can be share with 2 – 4 people and of course with rice on side. There are many flavors to try but for our recommendation, you can try honey roasted chicken and coca-cola roasted chicken. 

8.Fried Insect  

Insect! Insect! Insect! Yes, insects, Cambodian people in majority eat frying bugs but only the particular species such as crickets, scorpions, grasshoppers, tarantulas. They are the most popular among local and tourist and most importantly delicious and rich in protein. Do not forget to try them out.