Top 10 Popular Cambodian Street Food You Want to Try

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Cambodian street food is not for the squeamish. The delicious street food dishes cover a range from noodles to rice-based snacks all the way to worms and insects.

While in Cambodia, exploring the local food specialties, we were surprised by the strong Khmer street food culture and the unique foods.

For an authentic street food experience, you want to eat at the street food stalls. 

To ease your culinary travels, here’s our guide to the 10 popular Cambodia street foods you want to try.

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AUTHENTIC FOOD QUEST CULINARY TIP

If you are eager to learn about and try the street food in Cambodia, you may be interested in the following tours:

  • Phonm Penh food tour: 20+ tastings of local Khmer food and drinks with a local guide. Transportation with a tuk-tuk included.
  • Siem Reap sunset food tour: a 4-hour tasting tour of popular Cambodian dishes at restaurants and street food stalls.
  • Top Street Food in Cambodia For An Adventurous Palate

    1. Lort Cha – Cambodian Short Stir-Fry Egg Noodles

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    Simple and delicious street food in Cambodia

    Lort Cha is one of the most popular Cambodian street food. It is a stir-fried dish consisting of “Lort”, which is short-fat rice noodles with bean sprouts, Chinese broccoli, and chives. 

    This popular Khmer street food is typically prepared on a food cart in a large stir-fried pan. Generally, it is cooked with beef and topped with a fried egg.

    For flavor, lort cha is traditionally served with a thick red sauce which is sweet and spicy. And if you want more spice, you can add red chilies to your dish.

    RELATED: ​​Cooking Class in Phnom Penh: Top 3 for Authentic Khmer Cuisine

    Where To Eat Lort Cha in Cambodia

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    Making Lort Cha in the street in Phnom Penh

    You can find Lort cha vendors on the streets or at the markets in Phnom Penh or Siem Reap. We had this dish several times in Cambodia and enjoyed it best at the local markets. 

    It is easy to spot Lort Cha vendors as you see them cooking the dish to order. Eat at the vendors where locals are eating or stopping by for takeaway. This is a sign of good and safe food.

    We really enjoyed Lort Cha and found it quite flavorful. It has the right amount of vegetables and a great mix of protein. 

    If visiting Cambodia is on your travel plans, don’t miss this popular street food. You’ll find it easily available, and you’ll be delighted by its flavors.

    RELATED: 7 Surprising Phnom Penh Markets That Will Shake Up Your Senses

    2. Num Pang – Traditional Cambodian Sandwich

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    A mouthful sandwich

    Similar to Vietnam’s signature Banh Mi sandwich, Cambodia has its own version. It was brought by the French during the Indochina colonization period, and in Cambodia, it’s called Num Pang.

    This sandwich, which is a popular snack, is typically served with meaty ingredients such as pate, ham, or pork.

    It is generally topped with cucumber, carrots, chives, and onions. While we’re huge fans of the Bahn Mi sandwich, we also appreciated Cambodia’s Num Pang sandwich.

    If you are looking for a quick snack on the go, you’ll not go wrong with this simple sandwich.

    RELATED: Banh Mi – The Best Vietnamese Sandwich to Fall in Love With

    Where to Eat Num Pang Street Food Sandwiches

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    Healthy Num Pang

    Num pang street food vendors and their carts can be found outside of markets or near office buildings. They are easy to spot with the baguettes exposed on their carts.

    In Phnom Penh, you’ll find street vendors around the Central Market, Russian Market, or Phsar Kabko Market.

    One popular fast food chain you’ll find in Phnom Penh is Bread Express. The menu is quite diverse, offering a wide range of fillings from vegetarian to pork and more. 

    NomPang_CambodiaStreetFood_AuthenticFoodQuest
    Modern sandwich shop in Phnom Penh

    The environment is more sanitized than at a local market and you’ll still enjoy its delicious taste.

    Sandwiches prices are about 6,000 Riel per sandwich (approx. $1.47)

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    Num Pang street vendor in Siem Reap

    In Siem Reap, we recommend the local market called Steel Bridge Market. There you will find one dedicated vendor selling only these Khmer sandwiches at 3,000 Riel per sandwich (approx $0.75 USD).

    3. Cambodian Bamboo Sticky Rice

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    Cambodian bamboo sticky rice with black beans

    Rice is a main staple in Cambodian cuisine. It is eaten as part of almost every meal and is also one of the popular street foods.

    Bamboo sticky rice, known as Kralan in Khmer, is a type of sticky rice roasted in bamboo sticks. 

    It is made of sticky rice mixed with black beans, grated coconut, and coconut milk. The mixture is packed into a bamboo stick and slowly roasted over a charcoal fire until it is cooked.

    We first discovered bamboo sticky rice dessert in Thailand and really enjoyed it. In Cambodia, we learned that the rice used in bamboo sticky rice is a special kind of fragrant rice.

    This particular rice comes from the terraced rice fields of Battambang, Kratie Provinces, an area considered the country’s “rice bowl.”

    We found the taste of Cambodian bamboo sticky rice to be sweet and slightly salty, with a smoky flavor hint.

    It is tasty and surprisingly filling. Unraveling the bamboo sticks to get to the rice is part of the fun of eating this street food.

    Where to Eat Bamboo Sticky Rice Street Food in Cambodia

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    Bamboo sticky rice vendor in Siem Reap

    Outside of Battambang Province, you’ll find street food stalls selling this sticky rice dessert.

    In Siem Reap, around the Angkor Wat World Heritage Site, you will find ladies on bicycles selling bamboo sticky rice. 

    Feel free to approach any one of them and enjoy this sweet roasted Cambodian dessert. The sticky rice is sold in three sizes, small, medium, and large.

    And the costs range from 2000 Riel to 4000 Riel (approx $0.49 to $0.98 USD).

    AUTHENTIC FOOD QUEST TIP: Visiting the Angkor Wat Heritage Site was one of the highlights of our visit to Siem Reap. We enjoyed a private sunrise tour with a local guide and learning about the history and the different temples. On your tour, be sure to stop for a taste of bamboo sticky rice.

    4. Snails – Surprising Cambodian Street Food

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    Fresh water snails from street vendor

    One of the striking things we noticed when we arrived in Phnom Penh were street vendors with long flat carts on wheels. 

    These carts are strategically placed in the traditional way, under the hot, burning sun, loaded with freshwater snails. 

    Snails are a popular street food, and they are seasoned and cooked before being dried under the sun.

    Generally, you’ll find the snails seasoned with red chili sauce or with garlic and salt. This popular snack is sold in a larger bucket or a smaller cup size.

    To eat this street food in Cambodia safely, you want to make sure all the snails are thoroughly cooked. 

    Most street vendors will let you sample a few to whet your taste buds before buying a bucket or cup of snails.

    RELATED: The Ultimate Street Food Survival Guide – 12 Ways to Avoid Getting Sick!

    Where to Eat Snails – Popular Street Food Snack

    On the streets of Phnom Penh, you’ll see plenty of food carts loaded up with snails. This Cambodian street food delicacy appeared to be much more popular in Phnom Penh than in Siem Reap.

    Prices are typically about 2,000 Riel  (approx $0.49 USD) per cup of snails.

    If you are squeamish about eating air-dried snails, you can have snails in traditional Cambodian dishes. Amok Chouk, made with snails, is a Cambodian food you can try.

    5. Chive Cakes – Delicious Chinese Influenced Snacks

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    Chive cakes cooking on a steel plate

    Chive Cakes are one of the most popular Cambodian street foods. You’ll see street food vendors everywhere selling these small chive cakes on bicycles. 

    Made with chopped chives and glutinous rice, they are fried in shallow pans. These Cambodian chive cakes are served with a sweet, spicy fish sauce.

    Chive cakes, also known as Num Kachay, are embedded into the local culture, even though they originated from China. 

    While the ingredients are simple, the taste is surprisingly delicious.

    They are crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside. When dipped into the sweet, spicy fish sauce, the flavors blend together perfectly in the mouth. 

    This was one of our favorite Cambodian street foods and one you must experience on your culinary adventure in the country.

    Where to Eat Chive Cakes

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    Find Chives cakes at a local market

    You will find mobile street vendors selling chive cakes pretty much everywhere. Look for the vendors at busy street corners in the afternoons. Chive cakes can also be found cooking at the local markets.

    In general, chive cakes are sold hot, reducing the risk of getting sick. And, you can buy them by the piece, at about 500 Riel (approx $0.12 USD) per chive cake.

    RELATED: 12 Fascinating Cambodian Dishes You Want To Feast On

    6. Deep Fried Bread and Shrimp Cakes – Crunchy Khmer Street Food

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    Get yours at the Central Market in Phnom Penh

    At the local markets in Siem Reap, we were struck by the abundance of fried bread and shrimp cakes. 

    You see vendors at various stalls bending over the hot flames to produce golden, crispy French bread topped with delicious fried shrimp.

    After being tempted by one particular vendor’s freshly cooked batch, we bought some for lunch.

    While we typically do not enjoy deep-fried foods, we were surprisingly delighted.  

    The cakes were delicious. And with the bread soaking in the fat, you are left with the taste of perfectly spiced shrimp. 

    After that first tasty experience of the local cuisine, we happily bought the shrimp cakes several times again. 

    Let your taste buds go wild and try this unique street food in Cambodia.

    Where to Eat Deep Fried Bread & Shrimp Cakes

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    Fried shrimp cake in Siem Reap

    Look for the friendly ladies with large deep fryers at the outdoor food stalls at the Pho Langka Market in Siem Reap.

    Try a freshly cooked batch and expect to pay between 500 to 1000 Riel (approx $0.12 – $0.25 USD) per cake.

    7. Grilled Worms and Crickets – For The Adventurous Palate

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    Worms and crickets in Phnom Penh

    Worms and crickets are probably two of the most popular bugs you will find in Cambodia, in addition to red tree ants. 

    Yes, you will also find edible spiders and scorpions. Although, we found these multi-legged arachnids to be more popular among tourists than with locals.

    In our opinion, we found the worms and crickets to be far more enticing than trying spiders and scorpions. 

    With an open mind and a healthy dose of curiosity, we bought some worms and crickets to “taste the local culture.”

    Unexpectedly, we found the worms to have a delicious taste. The texture was soft, with a slightly crunchy skin. The flavor was surprisingly nutty. 

    The crickets, on the other hand, were definitely crunchier and meatier. This reminded us of eating grasshoppers or chapulines in Mexico.

    Whether you choose worms, crickets, or even the spiders or scorpions, they are all unique Khmer sources of protein.

    RELATED: Top 7 Cooking Classes in Siem Reap To Master Khmer Cuisine

    Where to Eat Worms and Crickets Street Food in Cambodia

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    Vendor selling insects, snakes and more

    Street vendors can be found selling different types of insects at the local markets. They are typically grilled and sold in large baskets that may contain different types of insects. 

    These traditional Cambodian street foods are sold by the can or cupful. Plan to spend about 4,000 Riel (approx $0.98 USD) per can.

    If eating bugs at the market doesn’t tempt you, there are a few restaurants that offer insects on their menu. 

    In Phnom Penh, you can try Eleven One Kitchen BKK.  If you are in Siem Reap, you can order a snack platter at Changkran Khmer Restaurant in Siem Reap.

    Both these restaurants offer many more options on their menu beyond the insects.

    8. Street Food Barbecue –  Freshly Grilled Squid

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    Grilling atmosphere on the streets of Cambodia

    Street food barbecue is quite common and popular in Cambodia. As the sun starts to set, street food vendors pop up around the markets and on busy streets, grilling meat and seafood. 

    Seafood is one of the most popular dishes you’ll see on the grill. We recommend going for the grilled squid. 

    It’s served with a tasty chili sauce, and the squid is as delightful as it is impressive in size.

    Where to Eat Cambodian Street Food Barbecue

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    Grilling the entire giant squid

    It is easy to find barbecue street food in Cambodia. Simply walk around any of the local night markets after 6:00 pm or after the markets close.

    Look for the vendors selling squid from their street cards. Pick a popular one and have them barbecue the squid for you. 

    If you want to try the grilled squid during the day, your best bet will be at the Central Market.

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    9. Sweet Pork Sausages – Popular Cambodian Street Food

    Sweet Saussages Cambodian Street Food Authentic Food Quest
    Pieces of Khmer sweet sausages with cucumber slices

    Pork is the main ingredient used in making the popular sweet Khmer sausages known as kwah ko (ត្វារគោ). 

    On street carts around the local markets, you’ll find vendors selling different types of pork sausages hanging off their carts.

    These sausages are sold either as skewers or wrapped into small sausage balls. 

    After seeing how popular the sausages were with locals, we bought one sausage to try.  The red color and the taste surprised us. 

    We found the sausages to be very sweet and quite fatty. Later, we learned that these popular sausages were made with palm sugar and composed of half pork and half fat.

    Personally, we were not fans of the sweet taste of the sausages. However, locals seemed to enjoy them the traditional way, with a cold glass of beer.

    Don’t hesitate to try them while visiting Cambodia, you may end up liking them.

    Where to Eat Sweet Khmer Sausages

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    Tempting sweet pork sausages

    The local markets are your best bet to try these sweet Khmer sausages. Look for the street carts around the markets with sausages hanging from their stalls. 

    You’ll easily identify the Khmer sausage by its distinctive red coloring. Expect to pay about 500 Riel (approx $0.12 USD) per sausage.

    RELATED: 10 Surprising Facts About Cambodian Food To Prepare For Your Culinary Trip

    10. Cambodian Iced Coffee 

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    Stopping for coffee to go in Phnom Penh

    Small coffee carts are a common sight in the Kingdom of Cambodia. These carts are typically sidecars pulled by motorcycles or converted tuk-tuks. 

    Iced coffee, or gah-fay dteuk-gork in the Khmer language, is a sweet and refreshing popular drink with locals.

    It is Cambodia’s drip coffee served with condensed milk. Sweet and strong, the coffee can be served black with ice or with condensed milk for an even sweeter taste. 

    Rosemary, a coffee drinker, preferred it with condensed milk. The rapidly melting ice cubes dilute the strength of the coffee and the sugar, making it much easier to drink.

    Where to Have Cambodian Iced Coffee 

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    Mobile coffee vendor

    During the peak morning hours and after school/work in the afternoons, the coffee carts are visible everywhere. 

    Simply choose from any popular street cart and try Cambodian iced coffee. The experience will set you back between 2500 – 3000 Riel ($0.62 to $0.74 USD).

    In Summary

    Cambodian street food is diverse and offers a unique perspective into the country’s food culture and delicacies. 

    Compared to other South east Asia countries like Thailand, Vietnam, or Laos, we found Cambodia’s street to be the most unusual.

    With Lort Cha, grilled squid, and Num Pang sandwiches, you will find familiar tastes that will delight you. 

    While, worms, freshwater snails, and bamboo sticky rice will be ways to test your adventurous palate.

    No matter which way you look at it, with Cambodian street food, you are in for a special treat.

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    Have you ever tried Cambodian street food? In the comments below, please let us know which of these Khmer street foods you’d like to try.

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    81 Comments on “Top 10 Popular Cambodian Street Food You Want to Try”

      • Ahh, that’s interesting Polly, where in Cambodia were you? There may have been fried bananas that we did not see that frequently. This is a top 10 list which is certainly not exhaustive. How did you like Cambodian street food? Cheers.

        Reply
    1. I think I’d stay away from the crickets and worms, but everything else on this list looks yummy. I especially like the look of those chive cakes!

      Reply
    2. I would have loved to try it. I have to admit, I had plenty of chances to try worms and crickets, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it–maybe one day! Thanks for the great post!

      Reply
    3. Hi Claire!
      This is very interesting and amazing article, I really like all of these yummy recipes. I really love this article as I am a foodie person. Thanks for sharing this article with all of us

      Reply
      • Thank you so much and thrilled to read our virtual food trailing left you eager for more. Post lockdown, you will have an amazing trip and be sure to sample the delicacies in both countries. Thanks for stopping by and feel free to hit us up with any questions. Cheers.

        Reply
    4. Thank you for your sharing. I’m searching for useful information for my trip next month. Shrimp cakes look tasty to eat. I can’t wait to explore more street food in Cambodia. Hope you keep your work.

      Reply
      • You are most welcome, Thao, happy to help guide your food adventures to Cambodia. Indeed, use this list for the best local experiences. Please feel free to reach out with any questions. Cheers and safe travels 🙂

        Reply
    5. That all looks delicious! We are flying to Phnom Penh next week to meet our son and his girlfriend then traveling to Kampot where we hope to try some pepper crab, Koh Rong Sanloem and then Siem Reap. I was curious about iced coffee, is it safe to drink with ice I assume is made with local water? Thanks for your information!

      Reply
      • You are most welcome. Happy to help make your trip to Cambodia an interesting culinary journey. Do let us know what dishes you end up trying. Regarding the iced coffee, we never had a problem. Most of the ice is “brought in” by companies (you’ll see trucks early in the morning delivering huge chunks of ice to varies eateries) and is pretty safe. Don’t be afraid to try the iced coffee. Have a safe and fun trip 🙂

        Reply
    6. Planning a South East Asia trip in 2019… I really enjoyed your article and I am saving it to my SouthEast Asia Pinterest page lol! I would try everything on this list without exception… and I hope to find even more amazing street foods on my journey! Thanks!

      Reply
      • You are most welcome Michelle. You will love the diversity of food in South East Asia. What countries are you planning on visiting? Feel free to reach out with any questions as you prepare for your trip. Thanks for stopping by!

        Reply
    7. Street food is a window to the culture of a place. Getting to eat street food is a great way to get a slice of the local life of the region. The street food in Cambodia seems to have a vast range of items. Being vegetarian, probably our choices are limited but I am sure we would enjoy veg noodles or veg rice. One thing I thought was something we would love is the Bamboo sticky rice. The way it is served looks so fascinating.

      Reply
      • You are right Sandy, when you taste the local street food, you bite into the local culture. We found a lot of meat-based options, but vegeterian options do also exist. The bamboo sticky rice is quite tasty and the lort cha and chive cakes are also not be missed. So glad you enjoyed the article!!

        Reply
    8. I don’t know much about Cambodian cuisine or Cambodian street food, but I have to say after reading this I definitely want to try more! It looks delicious. I love the idea of the Num Pang (and the introduction of the baguette) and I’d give Chive cakes a go when I’m on the move!

      Reply
      • Awesome to hear that you got some insights into Cambodian street food. Those are definitively two great choices to begin with, but don’t hesitate venturing out further 🙂 Thanks Samantha for stopping by!!

        Reply
    9. I enjoy trying out the local flavors wherever I go and a post like this is just the perfect reckoner for figuring out where to get the best. Cambodia does seem to have a lot of choice for non vegetarians but the few that I saw for me, are quite interesting. Like the Bamboo sticky rice. I definitely would want to see how different it is from the Thai one.

      Reply
      • There are loads of street food options in Cambodia. The bamboo sticky rice was certainly quite interesting. We had previously eaten it in Thailand and were also quite curious about the taste differences. Quite interestingly, there is a difference in taste. Perhaps the rice or different kinds sesame used. Either way, quite tasty and an experience not to miss. Cheers.

        Reply
    10. Wow! That’s a nice list. We once found a whole cow or a buffalo or something on bar-be-cue.
      Being mostly vegetarian we still managed pretty well out there. I remember the bamboo sticky rice and black beans . We also learnt how to say “steamed rice with fried vegetables and eggs” in Khmer and that helped us in most of the street food shops. 🙂

      Reply
      • Wow, that’s incredible that you found a cow or buffalo. So many strange things grilling on the streets of Cambodia. We once saw a dog! Frightening!
        Indeed, picking up a few local words go a long way 🙂 Thanks Nisha for stopping by.

        Reply
    11. This is probably not a good article to read when I am hungry. The description of Lort Cha sounds so good my stomach literally rumbled while reading it. I am not brave enough to try the cooked snail, but I know my son would because he is the adventurous eater. From seafood to insects, I would agree with you that Cambodia is diverse.

      Reply
      • There is never a good time to read about food 🙂 The Lort Cha is amazing and quite tasty. Not everything is for everyone from this list of popular Cambodian street food dishes. A little bite of whatever dish is a bite into the local culture. Thanks, Chris for stopping by.

        Reply
    12. I am a foodie and I love to try local cuisines when I travel. Especially in Asia, food forms a big part of my trip and is actually a key part of it. I’d love to try the street food in Cambodia, and you’ve done a great job not only by listing the best foods to try but also the places to try them out. I would love to give a shot to Lort Cha and also some experimental foods like grilled worms, crickets and snails. I really don’t mind having some iced coffee at the coffee carts after that experiment 😉

      Reply
      • Awesome and so glad that you also love exploring the local cuisine. Hold onto this article and take it with you to Cambodia. With the directions given, you’ll be in for an amazing time in Cambodia. Thanks, Medha for stopping by!

        Reply
    13. The Lort Cha dish looks amazing and I do like escargots, so I’m wondering if I’d also enjoy the snails? I’d at least be willing to try some of these foods!

      Reply
      • The lort cha dish looks great and tastes amazing. You would love it. Not everything on this list is for everyone, but even a taste of just one Cambodian street food will give you a glimpse into the local culture 🙂 Thanks, Tami.

        Reply
    14. As I read through I kept thinking “I want that” than i got to the worms, crickets and squid and you lost me. I’m a wimp. But I am all about the Nompang sandwich, bamboo sticky rice, chive cakes and that fried shrimp!

      Reply
      • Not everything in Cambodia is for everyone. That’s for sure…Eating what you can like the sandwiches, shrimp, chives cakes and sticky rice is still a wonderful introduction to the local flavors. Hope you get to Cambodia soon to experience the food. Thanks, Sherianne!

        Reply
    15. Having recently enjoyed my first street-food heavy holiday (to Thailand) I’m very keen to see and eat more of South East Asia and Cambodia is very much on the list. Loved reading about popular street food items, I’m particularly keen to try bamboo sticky rice and chive cakes and deep fried shrimp cakes but I’d love to try all ten!

      Reply
      • That’s wonderful that you enjoyed your Bangkok street food experience. It’s truly the street food mecca with amazing food everywhere. The street food in Cambodia is different but full of its own local flavors. It’s worth trying all 10, but the ones you mentioned are a good way to get started. Thanks for stopping by Kavita.

        Reply
    16. What a detailed post! I loved the section on ‘where to try’…that helps in planning too 🙂

      I’ve been to Cambodia, but didn’t try the street food (lived on an island and there was little of it there), but now I am stoked to visit Cambodia again! Being a vegetarian, the options are a bit limited for me…but I think I will love Lort Cha for sure 🙂

      Reply
      • That’s amazing that you lived in Cambodia. What island? For how long? That must have been an amazing adventure. True, the street food we found was mainly in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. You are right, heavy protein and limited vegetarian options, though the Lort Cha is good option. Glad you found the tips helpful.

        Reply
    17. I wish I had this guide before I went to Cambodia. I missed out on so many of these awesome delicacies–I wondered what the ladies on the bicycles were selling in Siem Reap and had no idea it was bamboo sticky rice. I would have loved to try it. I have to admit, I had plenty of chances to try worms and crickets, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it–maybe one day! Thanks for the great post!

      Reply
      • Oh wow, so you did see the ladies in Siem Reap…it’s too bad you missed out on trying the bamboo sticky rice. That would have been such an experience. Glad you like the guide and do hold onto it for your next trip. Cheers!

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    18. You are real food explorers! I don’t have fond memories of food in Cambodia, probably because I did not go deep into Cambodian cuisine like you say. Actually I don’t remember to have seen any of your proposals, too bad!

      Reply
      • It’s too bad you missed out on the delicious and unique local specialties in Cambodia. It’s true you do have to seek out the local gems, but when you find them, you get to really appreciate and taste the local culture. Perhaps another trip in the future? And with our guide 🙂 Thanks Elisa.

        Reply
    19. Awesome list of street food! I have only tried a few when i was there. I didnt have the chance to try the snails and worms and crickets. Will remember these for when I come back!

      Reply
      • When were you Cambodia? Did you enjoy the food scene? Do you remember which street foods you enjoyed? Certainly, a trip back is required. A country rich in history, filled with warm locals and an emerging culinary scene. Thanks for stopping by.

        Reply
    20. Hi Claire,

      Delish stuff! I always recall seeing the tarantulas for tasting when getting off the bus in Siem Reap. Big time snack in those parts. I also recall seeing a huge pig over the spit in PP; at first I swear it was a Great Dane. I am not kidding. Turns out it was pork, although a bit skinny, it was a big pig. My wife and I hit up this awesome vegetarian haunt in town. A handful of blocks away from the river. Green restaurant. I cannot recall the name.

      Thanks for sharing 🙂

      Ryan

      Reply
      • So glad Ryan you enjoyed the article. Did you like the tarantulas? Have to admit, we did not have the courage to taste them. Overall the food and street food was quite enjoyable. It’s a shame Cambodian cuisine is not well known….but that’s changing!!

        Reply
    21. You make such a great point about Cambodia’s food scene being overshadowed by Thailand and Vietnam. I loved the bamboo rice and the chive cakes while I was in Cambodia. I’d love to try some Lort Cha but I’d need it sans beef, chicken, etc.. As a vegetarian, I found plenty to eat in Cambodia but also found it easier to explain my dietary restrictions in cafes and restaurants than on the street.

      Reply
      • That’s wonderful to hear Jackie that even as a vegetarian you were able to find to find food in Cambodia. That certainly dispels a myth. Indeed the bamboo rice and chives are easy to eat and delicious! Appreciate your feedback. Thanks for stopping by.

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      • Surprisingly, Penny, the worms were not as bad as they look. We had them at Marum restaurant and liked the flavors. Fortunately, there are many more street foods that don’t involve bugs, and that are worth trying. Thanks for your comments.

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    22. Love the variety of Cambodian cuisine. I knew very little of the food prior to visiting, but was really blown away with how delicious it was! We tried a variety of street foods, and I really liked the num pang (funny enough, there is a chain of sandwich stores in NYC called Num Pang, which are amazing). I never got tempted to try the crickets or bugs, especially the spiders on a stick I saw at a few markets in Phnom Penh. Sure they taste fine, but have a hard time getting past the fact they are bugs!

      Reply
      • That’s interesting Drew that there is a num pang in New York 🙂 We need to check that out for ourselves. Agree, the bugs didn’t tempt us either, but we did taste them as part of our quest to discover the local and authentic flavors of Cambodia. No spiders though!!

        Reply
    23. So much of this looks so good. I would love to try the fried shrimp cakes. The stir-fried egg noodles look really good, too. I’m not sure about the snails, crickets, and worms, though. Looks like a great trip!

      Reply
      • The bugs are snails are certainly not for everyone 🙂 However, they are local specialties coming from a difficult history. You can’t go wrong with the fried shrimp cake, lightly fried and delicious. The stir-fried egg noodles as well. Cheers, Stacey.

        Reply
    24. All these look like so tempting. I knew about some Vietnamese dishes to have and have planned a food trail in Vietnam, but thanks to you am going to go on a food trail in Cambodia too.

      Reply
      • Thats awesome Arnav. Please do let us know if you have any questions as you prepare for your Cambodia food trail. And let us know what you discover and think. Glad the Vietnam and Cambodia resources are helpful. That is our goal with Authentic Food Quest – explore the local flavors!

        Reply

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