Street Food in Cambodia
For expats, Khmer street food is one of the most under-appreciated aspects of Cambodian cuisine, but for tourists, these dishes are the best option to enjoy with friends. Spending time trying Khmer street food on the street, in the market or in small local restaurants should be an experience worth trying when visiting Cambodia.
It is said to have something in common with the cuisine of neighboring countries, but Khmer street food still has its own culture and specialties. For example, people may find that Cambodian and Thai cuisine are similar, but the Cambodian version is usually less sweet and spicy.
Prahok and Kroeung are two of the seven popular sauces that appear in most local dishes. Prahok is a spicy fermented fish paste, while Kroeung is a spice paste made primarily of lemongrass and galangal. People use them as a base or add flavor to food.
In general, street food in Cambodia is cheap and available, so don’t hesitate to try authentic Cambodian street food. Although food hygiene worries foreigners, the fact is that the safest street food is the one that is cooked in front of your eyes.
Here are the top 10 Cambodian street foods you should know about.
1. Kang Kep Baob (Plush Frog)
The first amazing Cambodian street food that deserves to be on our list is Kang Kep Baob, or stuffed frog. As its name suggests, the frog is stuffed with a mixture of ingredients.
The mixture includes minced frog meat with pork, coconut, peanuts, saffron and lemongrass. These are stuffed inside the frog’s skin, making it plump and fun.
The food should be dried in the sun for 15 minutes and then grilled or fried. The hot stuffed frog is served with a delicious smell and tender texture.
Where to eat:
1. Bora Cuisine Restaurant
• Address: 27 Sangkat SalaKamreuk Street, Krong, Siem Reap
• Working hours: 11:00 – 23:00
• Average price: US $10
2. Original Khmer barbecue
• Address: 2 Road, Mondul Mondol Village Krong Siem Reap
• Working hours: 17:00 – 23:00
• Average price: US $5-10
2. A-Ping (fried tarantula)
You will be surprised to see the local fried insects on the streets, although they are part of their street food. A-Ping, the fried spider, is a typical example. Other versions of this dish are silkworms, cockroaches, crickets, grasshoppers, beetles, etc.
These insects became edible due to the terrible famine that Cambodians suffered in the 1970s. They were so hungry that the insects were their only source of food.
Although it is an unusual dish, it received more positive comments than I thought. The crispy exterior contrasts with the soft center that is said to be “more of a cross between chicken and cod”, offering an unforgettable experience.
Where to eat:
1. Mobile carts in the markets or on the streets.
2. Blue lime
• Address: 19 No. 42, 19z Street (off 19th Street, near the National Museum, Phnom Penh)
• Working hours: 6:00 – 22:00
• Average price: US $10 – 15
3.Romdeng
• Address: 74 174th Street, Phnom Penh
• Working hours: 10:00 – 22:00
• Average price: US $5
3. Num Pang (Cambodian sandwich)
Speaking of Khmer street food, we can’t skip the Num Pang, also known as the Cambodian sandwich. Their carts are almost everywhere, like outside the market or next to office buildings. You can see it by the baguette, a style of bread that originated in France during the French colonial period, with trays of ingredients.
This type of street bread contains nutrients, including starch, protein, and vegetable fiber. The meat can be ham or pâté, and the vegetables are varied such as cucumbers, carrots, onions and chives.
Where to eat:
1. Nompang, Phnom Penh
• Address: No. 17, 310 Street, Phnom Penh
• Working hours: 7:00- 21:00
• Average price: US $2
2. Pho Langka Market
• Address: Vendors along the Siem Reap River in the north of the city.
• Working hours: lunch time
• Average price: US$1
4. Ang Dtray Meuk (grilled squid)
If you are looking for delicious seafood of impressive size, grilled squid (the Cambodian name is Ang Dtray Meuk) is for you. Fresh jumbo squid is marinated, grilled to perfection and served with spicy sauce. The sweetness of the seafood and the spiciness of the sauce delight your palate.
It is not difficult to find street food barbecues in Cambodia. Vendors with mobile carts often appear on busy streets and markets.
Where to eat:
1. On the street or around the markets
2. Khmer Grill Restaurant
• Address: Watdomnak Road, Siem Reap
• Working hours: 10:00 – 22:00
• Average price: US $10
3. Magic Crab Restaurant
• Address: 33A, Krong Kaeb
• Working hours: 8:00 – 22:00
• Average price: US $10
5. Nom Ka Chai (Chive Cakes)
Like all Cambodian street food, you can find Nom Ka Chai or chive cakes on mobile carts or at small street vendors. This Chinese-inspired cake is made only with glutinous rice flour.
Regardless of this fact, Nom Ka Chai is a great combination of crunchy on the outside and soft and gooey on the inside, making it quite interesting to bite into. Dipping it in the sweet and spicy fish sauce creates a delicious flavor.
Where to eat:
1. Sam Too Pochentong
• Address: No. H5-H6 Federal Russian Blvd., Sangkat Kakab, Khan Posenchey, Phnom Penh
• Working hours: 7:00 – 02:00
2. Rye Noodle and Chive Family Pie
• Address: #27, Wat Bo Village, Siem Reap
• Working hours: 7:00 – 21:00
6. Kralan (sticky rice in bamboo)
If you are looking for a snack or a sweet dessert in Cambodia, you should not miss the sticky rice cake in bamboo – Kralan.
It is a mixture of glutinous rice, black beans, grated coconut and coconut milk. People place it on bamboo sticks and roast it slowly over charcoal fire. That’s why you’ll find a touch of smoky flavor when you try these Kratie Provinces, a famous rice terrace. This sweet and salty dessert will give you a smooth and delicious flavor and will fill you up quite a bit.
Where to eat:
1. Ladies cycling around Angkor Wat
• Average price: US $0.5 – 1, depending on the size of the rice stick
2. The Battambang Bicycle
• Address: 182 Street 2.5, Krong Battambang
• Working hours: 8:00 – 20:00
7. Balut (fertilized eggs)
You’ll find Khmer street food exotic when you try a dish called Balut, which refers to fertilized eggs. One small caveat is that the look of the food may not really be “appealing”. After fertilizing chicken or duck eggs, people leave them until they reach a certain level suitable for boiling.                              In Cambodia, the dish is served without any container, but is eaten directly from the shell. Add a little salt, pepper and lemon juice so your rich source of protein is ready. We bet you won’t be able to forget its flavor for a long time.
Where to eat:
1. Balut Duck Egg Avocado Smoothie Stall
• Address: 111 Street, Phnom Penh
• Working hours: 7:00 – 21:00
2. Corner of St. 402 and St. 187 (behind Vanda Accounting Institute)
• Average price: $0.5 per egg
8. Scorpion on a stick
Scorpion on a stick is another Cambodian street food that requires courage to taste and swallow. This source of protein may seem scary, but once you try it, its crunchy texture may change your mind.
You can easily find this snack on the street, especially near the tourist site. If you don’t mind challenging yourself, grab a scorpion stick on your next trip to Cambodia.
Where to eat:
1. Balut Duck Egg Avocado Smoothie Stall
• Address: 111 Street, Phnom Penh
• Working hours: 7:00 – 21:00
2. Corner of St. 402 and St. 187 (behind Vanda Accounting Institute)
• Average price: $0.5 per egg
9. Twa Ko (Cambodian sausage)
One of the typical images of the local market is the Twa Ko sausage hanging from the food carts. It comes on skewers or in the form of balls.
It is made half pork and half fat, and its flavor is quite sweet since the locals add palm sugar to it. The red color on the outside, the sweetness on the inside and the fatty sensation make the sausage attractive in its own way.
where to eat:
1. Local markets
• Average price: US$0.15
2. Malis Cambodian Restaurant
• Address: 136 Norodom Boulevard, Phnom Penh
• Working hours: 6:30 – 22:30
• Average price: $1
10. Yaohon (Cambodian hot pot)
Yaohon, or Cambodian stew, is a special place on the streets.
Its base is a soup pot that is used to cook meats, seafood and vegetables right at the table. People use coconut milk as a base for soup. Chhnang Plerng is another version of this hot pot with butter base and herb sauce seasoning.
It is a pleasure to enjoy this delicious food with your friends on your trip to Cambodia.
Where to eat
Address: House 27 214, Phnom Penh
1. Little Sheep Hot Pot Cambodia Samdach Bread
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• Working hours: 11:00 – 22:00
2. Happy Lamb Hot Pot Restaurant
• Address: HW2P+3WH, Phnom Penh
• Working hours: 11:00 – 2:00
The varied Cambodian street food will take you from one surprise to another. While some dishes taste delicious and familiar, others have unique looks and flavors that offer an adventurous palate. No matter what feeling you have, savor your adventure and don’t forget to contact BestPrice Travel for more amazing food tours.