Cambodia – the mysterious country of pagodas and towers – is not only famous for ancient architectural works such as Angkor Wat or Angkor Thom, but also possesses a rich cuisine rich in Khmer identity. With the harmonious combination of fresh ingredients and unique preparation, Cambodian dishes increasingly attract the attention of international tourists. In part 1 of the journey to discover Cambodian cuisine, Ha Tien Vegas will introduce to you the 10 most outstanding specialties – from long-standing traditional dishes to rustic but attractive street dishes. If you are planning to travel to Cambodia, don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy these typical flavors to fully experience the culture and people here.
1. Samlor Korko – Cambodian Style Fish Curry Soup
Samlor Korko is a traditional dish that has existed for hundreds of years and still retains a special position in the culinary culture of the pagoda country. Samlor Korko is a rich soup with a myriad of ingredients, including dozens of vegetables.
This dish can be prepared with many different types of meat, but the most popular are catfish and pork belly. Along with that, to fully retain the unique flavor of Samlor Korko, you cannot ignore two important ingredients: prahok – Cambodian fish sauce and kroeung – a delicious curry powder.
You can enjoy Samlor Korko in many places, but if you want to experience the fullest flavor, come to Malis Restaurant in Phnom Penh.
2. Nom Banh Chok – Khmer Style Noodles
Like pho in Vietnam, Nom Banh Chok is a typical Cambodian breakfast dish. The image of Khmer women carrying baskets of fresh noodles on their shoulders is a familiar feature in Cambodia.
This dish includes fresh rice noodles, and a rich green curry broth with fish, lemongrass, galangal, turmeric and garlic. In Siem Reap, Nom Banh Chok is often eaten with tuk paem – a sweet dipping sauce made from palm sugar and peanuts.
If you travel to Siem Reap, you can visit Nam Ben Chok Noodle to enjoy this “national” noodle dish!
3. Bai Sach Chrouk – Cambodian Style Grilled Meat and Rice
Bai Sach Chrouk, also known as Cambodian-style grilled meat and rice, is a popular and loved dish in the country of temples and towers. You can easily see street vendors selling Bai Sach Chrouk every early morning on the streets of Cambodia.
This dish is made from thinly sliced pork, marinated with palm sugar and fish sauce, then slowly grilled over charcoal. Grilled meat is served with white rice, pickled cucumbers and pickled white radish. Bai Sach Chrouk is often served with a bowl of chicken broth, decorated with green onions and fried onions.
Come to Bai Sach Chrouk restaurant on Vimol Thoam Thong street (246) in Phnom Penh to enjoy delicious hot grilled meat and rice!
4. Kari Sach Moan – Cambodian Style Red Curry Chicken Stew
Kari Sach Moan is a dish imbued with the culinary culture of the pagoda country. Cambodian red curry has a milder spicy taste than Thai curry, made from local red peppers, creating a rich dish but still retaining its elegant taste.
This dish is made from chicken, white radish, sweet potatoes, fresh coconut milk and kroeung. Kari Sach Moan is often served at weddings, ceremonies and special occasions. You can enjoy this dish with fresh vermicelli, bread or white rice.
You can go to Khmer Noodles Restaurant on Samdach Phuong Street in Phnom Penh to try this rich curry dish!
5. Kha Sach Ko – Beef Stew with Cambodian Caramel Sauce
Cambodian traditional dish Kha Sach Ko is one of the specialties not to be missed when you have the opportunity to travel to the country of temples and towers. The attractive flavor of this dish is created by the delicate combination of palmyra caramel sauce and the spicy, aromatic taste of spices such as ginger, garlic, and star anise. The beef is soft, sweet and rich in spices, served with toast or noodles.
To enjoy this dish, you can visit traditional restaurants and eateries in all regions of Cambodia. Famous dining locations with Kha Sach Ko dishes such as Siem Reap old town or the capital Phnom Penh will be ideal destinations.
6. Sngor Chruak Sach Trei – Cambodian Style Fish Sour Soup
Sngor Soup is a simple but extremely “catchy” dish, made from fresh ingredients and bearing the characteristics of Cambodia. Fish soup is made from fresh fish caught from Tonle Sap Lake – Cambodia’s largest freshwater lake. Fresh fish is cooked in lemongrass broth, lemon juice and fried garlic. This soup is often eaten with local herbs such as basil and coriander. Additionally, you can add straw mushrooms or shredded green mango depending on your preference.
Come to Labaab Restaurant on Preah Monivong Blvd (93) in Phnom Penh to enjoy Cambodian specialty sour fish soup!
7. Kari Saraman – Cambodian Style Saraman Beef Curry
Considered one of Cambodia’s most complex dishes, Kari Saraman is a delicious curry that stands out with its delicate combination of spices. This is a dish imbued with the culinary culture of the Cham people, a Muslim ethnic minority community in Cambodia.
This dish is made from beef – a popular ingredient in Cham cuisine, replacing pork – a popular ingredient in Cambodian cuisine. The curry is stewed with whole peanuts and is often eaten with bread.
One of the famous addresses for you to enjoy Saraman curry is Rikitikitavi restaurant on Riverside Road, near the Post Office, Kampot.
8. Nhoam Krauch Thlong – Cambodian Style Grapefruit Salad
Instead of using vegetables, Cambodians often use sour or unripe fruits to make salads. And Nhoam Krauch Thlong grapefruit salad is an attractive dish, demonstrating the creativity and sophistication in the cuisine of the pagoda country.
Nhoam Krauch Thlong is made from grapefruit, pork belly, toasted coconut and dried shrimp, decorated with mint and fried onions. The most difficult part when preparing this salad is separating the grapefruit segments, because if not careful, the bitter taste of the grapefruit will take away the flavor of the salad. The meticulousness in processing creates a cool, harmonious dish. When in Siem Reap, visit Madam Moch Khmer Restaurant on Taphul Road, famous for this amazing grapefruit salad.
9. Kha Trei Svay Kchai – Braised Fish Served With Cambodian Green Mango
Kha Trei Svay Kchai, also known as braised fish served with green mango in Cambodian style, is a dish imbued with the culinary culture of the pagoda country. This dish uses striped tilapia cut into thick pieces, then braised in a pot with palm sugar, garlic, fish sauce and ground black pepper.
During the cooking process, the chef will add chopped tomatoes to add flavor to the braised fish dish. To avoid breaking the fish pieces, the chef will not directly stir the fish but will only gently shake the pot from left to right. The delicious and attractive braised fish dish is often decorated with shredded green mango and basil. You can find Kha Trei Svay Kchai at many local restaurants in Cambodia.
10. Street Food Kangkep Baob – Cambodian Style Stuffed Frog
Are you passionate about new things, and want to discover unique dishes? Then don’t miss Kangkep Baob, stuffed frog in Cambodia!
Kangkep Baob is stuffed with many ingredients: minced pork, roasted peanuts, red chili, frog meat and fresh kroeung made from lemongrass, garlic, galangal, turmeric and lemon peel. Frogs are grilled in bamboo tubes split in half over charcoal, with the spicy taste of spices and the mild sweetness of palm sugar, and the frog meat is as chewy and sweet as chicken.
This is a very popular street food so you can find it at most Cambodian night markets.
Cambodian cuisine is not only a blend of flavors, but also the story of Khmer culture, history and people. The 10 specialties that Ha Tien Vegas has just introduced are representative of the diversity and sophistication in Cambodian food preparation. From traditional Samlor Korko to surprising street food, each offers an unforgettable culinary experience.
If you are preparing for a trip to Cambodia, don’t forget to save this list to make your discovery journey more complete. And don’t take your eyes off Ha Tien Vegas’s blog – Part 2 will continue to reveal famous places to eat and tips for enjoying delicious dishes like a local!
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If you have the opportunity to travel to Cambodia to enjoy specialties and visit Kampot, you can stay overnight at Ha Tien Vegas right next to Ha Tien – Kampong Trach border gate and continue your journey to explore Ha Tien or Kampot the next day.
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