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

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Cambodia is a fascinating country where the past is always present.  

While the biggest draw to the country is the ancient temples of Angkor Wat, we encourage you to dive into the local Cambodian food scene. 

The food in Cambodia is distinct and influenced by the country’s culture and history. 

Based on our experience and culinary travels through Cambodia, here are 10 facts about Cambodian food to prepare your culinary trip.

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1. Cambodia Cuisine Is Not a “Version” of Thai or Vietnamese Food

Cambodia Cuisine by Authentic Food Quest
Unique tastes of Cambodian cuisine

Before visiting the country, we didn’t know what to expect from Cambodian food. We thought the food would be similar to that of its neighboring countries like Thailand or Vietnam.

What we found instead were unique tastes and distinct flavors of Cambodian cuisine.

We tasted bitter and sour soups that we hadn’t eaten elsewhere. We learned how to make amok, one of the country’s most popular dishes. And for breakfast, we discovered noodle soups like Kuy Teav, which is a popular breakfast dish.

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Cambodian seasonings and condiments

Seasonings and condiments like Prahok fermented fish paste, kroeung paste, and Kampot pepper, one of the world’s best peppers, define Khmer food.

To compare Cambodian cuisine to Thai food or Vietnamese is limiting to the food and your experience. 

Even though you will find Thai influences in the food, as the Khmer Kings once ruled Thailand, Khmer cuisine is distinct in its own right

RELATED: 12 Fascinating Cambodian Dishes You Want To Feast On

2. Cambodian Food Influenced by Western and French Cuisine

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Famous Cambodia Num Pang Sandwich

Visitors to Cambodia will quickly notice a large Western influence due in part to French colonization and the current NGO presence.

For a relatively underdeveloped country, we were quite surprised to see the “invasions” of U.S. food chains, particularly in Phnom Penh. You will find Burger King, Carl’s Jr, KFC, Krispy Kreme, and others. 

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French items at local stores – Photo credit: Thai Huot website

With a large expat community, many restaurants cater to foreigners offering international menus or Western versions of many Cambodian dishes. For example, you might find french fries instead of the traditional rice in local dishes.

Furthermore, the French influence in the local food is also evident. Similar to the Vietnamese Bánh mì, Cambodia has a baguette sandwich called Num Pang in Khmer. 

In Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, grocery stores commonly carry iconic French products like wine, cheese, butter, and pastries

RELATED: Cuisine Wat Damnak Review: Experience Fine Dining in Siem Reap

3. Go Beyond To Find Traditional Cambodian Food

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Open air local market in Phnom Penh

Finding local food in Cambodia was a real effort. With so many Western chains and international menus, we struggled to find the local specialties.

The challenge we ran into was locals saying, “you will not like this” or “this is not for you.” 

Instead, they would recommend “familiar” foods or dishes they deem palatable to Western tastes. 

Insights from local expats and visiting the local markets helped us understand the local food scene. 

From dishes to desserts and drinks and sandwiches, our local food discoveries were guided by local stall vendors.

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Sweet and bitter flavors in this traditional Bitter soup

Curiosity and a willingness to try new foods also worked well. For instance, we stumbled onto Bitter Melon soup with Pork or Sgno Mareash by simply not accepting the phrase “this is not of you.”

We had to insist that the reluctant vendor serve us a bowl after seeing so many locals eagerly slurping down the soup.

While the soup was bitter, we found that eating the local delicacies takes persistence and determination.

RELATED: Top 10 Popular Cambodian Street Food You Want to Try

4. Everything On The Grill – Huge BBQ Culture

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Fish, chicken and more cooking on the grill

If you like grilled dishes and seafood, Cambodia is the food destination for you.

Anything and everything is grilled in Cambodia. With easy access to the Mekong River and the Tonlé Sap Lake, fish and seafood feature prominently on the grill and in Khmer food.

Grilled frogs with chili in Cambodia by Authentic Food Quest
Grilled frogs with chili

It is common to see chickens and pork ribs grilling on large charcoal pits around markets. 

And you can also find unusual foods like grilled frog legs or grilled insects.

Surprisingly, even desserts are grilled. Street food vendors with mobile carts can be seen frequently grilling bananas after lunch for dessert or later as an afternoon snack.

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Vendor grilling bananas for a tasty treat

To go along with the grilled meats and seafood, local beer is the drink of choice. Angkor beer is the most popular beer to go with the local cuisine.

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Angkor Beer to go with your grilled food

Barbecue meat and seafood are popular Khmer dishes, and we recommend joining the locals outdoors and feasting on grilled dishes.

RELATED: Discover the Best Asian Beers: 17 Must-Try Brews and Craft Breweries

5. Bizarre Foods of Cambodia – Snakes, Bugs, Dogs and More

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Vendor selling insects and snakes

Cambodia is the only country on our authentic food quest in Southeast Asia where we encountered the most bizarre foods.

Eating bugs is a common practice, and we saw children eagerly eating ants as snacks at the market after school. 

During the Khmer Rouge regime, basic food was scarce. Cambodians took to eating whatever insects, frogs, snakes, snails—whatever they could find “to survive.” 

Nowadays, eating bugs, snakes, and ants is not only part of Khmer food but also a tourist attraction. 

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Find red tree ants beef dish at restaurants

As a result, you’ll find vendors selling typical Cambodian street foods like grasshoppers, worms, spiders, and snakes. 

One of the most unbelievable local foods we saw was a dog’s head cooking in a pan near a local Phnom Penh market. 

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Dog head stewing in Phnom Penh

We didn’t have the chance to talk to the vendor about the dish but were nevertheless shocked. 

When it comes to facts about Cambodian food, the Khmer Rouge era left an indelible mark.

6. Menus in English For Easier Communication

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Menus in English and Khmer

While the official language of Cambodia is Khmer, you’ll also find English spoken. We visited Cambodia after exploring Thai and Vietnamese food and were relieved to be able to understand the menus.

Surprisingly, we found English menus at tiny street-side restaurants and even at some market stalls.  

When there were no menus, vendors spoke a little English, making it easier to communicate.

With the popularity of Angkor Wat and a large expat community, you’ll be able to communicate and try local Cambodian foods.

When visiting Cambodia, know that you’ll be understood. Don’t hesitate to seek out vendors selling Cambodian dishes whether it’s at the local markets or street food stalls.

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

7. One Country, Two Currencies

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1 USD equivalent in Riel, Cambodia currency

In Cambodia, the Riel is the national currency. However, the US Dollar is also widely used in Phnom Penh and tourist areas around Siem Reap. 

It is easy to get dollars in Cambodia as ATMs dispense USD. However, keep in mind that most ATM machines will give you large bills of $100 USD. 

Be sure to break the large bills at large grocery stores, hotels, tourist venues, or directly at the bank. 

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Menu with pricing in two currencies

At the time of this writing this article, the exchange rate is about 4,000 Cambodian Riel (or KHR) to $ 1 USD. 

We recommend using the Riel as much as possible as it is the local currency.

If you use dollars, vendors will typically charge higher prices or round up the change in their favor. 

At tourist restaurants, prices will be in dollars and marked up. At local eateries, the prices will be in Riel, so be sure to carry some with you.

8. Cambodian Food Price: Use Your Negotiation Skills

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Tuk-Tuk in front of the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh

In Cambodia, everything is negotiable. From the food at the markets to tuk-tuk rides, so be prepared to sharpen your negotiation skills.  

While in Cambodia, we learned that there are three different levels of pricing: tourist price, expat price, and the local price. 

Sometimes, the tourist price can be up to 3x to 5x times more than what the locals pay. 

Some restaurant menus will have double standards where local pricing in Riel is clearly half of what is marked in English/USD. 

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Clearly marked pricing, for all

But unless you can read Khmer, it can be difficult to discern the differences.

Look for places where the prices are clearly marked. Look at other similar places to have an idea of what the prices should be.

Don’t hesitate to walk away if the prices are clearly inflated or if you feel like you are being taken advantage of.

9. Stretch Your Comfort Zone by Eating At The Local Markets

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Typical local market in Siem Reap

Unlike many local markets in Southeast Asia, we found the local markets in Cambodia to be dirtier. 

However, we found the food and produce to be fresh and comparatively inexpensive.  

Dimly lit, low ceilings, and not a lot of natural light are the typical setups of most markets. 

On the inside, the meat and fish areas are most certainly wet and can be muddy in some spots. 

While the market setup may not look appealing with rickety wooden tables, plastic tubs, and worn baskets, it’s filled with fresh produce and delicious dishes.

Don’t be afraid of eating at the local markets. Look beyond the environment and focus on the tasty local dishes. 

You will be rewarded with flavors and unexpectedly delightful Cambodian dishes.

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

10. Food For Good

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Some restaurants are supported by NGOs

In Cambodia, restaurants offer more than food. As the country continues to rebuild after the horrors of the Khmer Rouge regime, restaurants and cafes play a key role.

The restaurant scene is active with support from NGOs (non-governmental organizations). 

These restaurants are also training schools where they teach hospitality skills to vulnerable groups of people from across the country.

We ate at several NGO restaurants in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. Overall, we were impressed by the quality of the food and the level of service. 

If your travels take you to the country, be sure to support the NGO restaurants, that are empowering the local community

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In Summary

Visiting the awe-inspiring temples of Angkor Wat. should not be missed by travelers to Southeast Asia. 

And, while you are in the country, we invite you to seek out local Cambodian food.

Eating the local dishes in Cambodia is unlike anywhere else in Southeast Asia. We hope this guide to Cambodian food facts helps prepare you for what to expect.

Have an open mind, skip Western dishes, and seek out the local flavors at the markets and on the streets.

The local Cambodian food scene is riveting and one that will leave a lasting impression on you as it did on us.

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Which one of these facts about Cambodian food has surprised you the most? Please let us know in the comments below.

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44 Comments on “10 Surprising Facts About Cambodian Food To Prepare For Your Culinary Trip”

  1. Hey guys, thanks so much for providing so much information on the Cambodian food scene. When I travelled to Cambodia I too witnessed that they literally throw everything on the BBQ, it was interesting 😀

    Reply
    • So glad that you loved the article about Cambodia food. You are right, grilling is a huge part of the culture. Did you try anything interesting and unusual? Thanks for your comments and look out for more articles about Cambodia food. Cheers.

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  2. I really like how wide the range of food you can find in Cambodia. The southeast asian cuisines to western ones and the fusions and of course, the exotic ones. Cambodians are very creative when it comes to food.

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    • We were just as surprised Trisha at the range of local food specialties. The challenge was hunting the local foods down. Once we found the delights, the range is impressive. Thanks for your comments!

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  3. Amazing job with this post. Giving reviews and recommendation about Cambodian foods can be very useful for others. Trying out local foods in a certain country you’re visiting is a must. But unfortunately sometimes because of the modern changes, it’s hard to find the local foods of each place. Due to the massive expansion of international chains.

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    • You are so right Sandy, it can be difficult finding the local and authentic spots tucked away from the all the international chains. Our goal is to have Authentic Food Quest become that resources for those hidden local gems. Glad you enjoyed the article!!

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  4. Really interesting, I’ll admit that I too assumed Cambodian cuisine would probably resemble a mix of Thai and Vietnamese, so it’s really interesting to hear that it has it’s own unique food scene. Fascinating that it’s heavily influenced by French and the West – how funny that the locals assume you don’t want to east their local food and point you towards more touristy restaurants.

    I love immersing myself in local delicacies, and am keen to try anything, though I think I’ll stick to the ants and snakes over the dog head!!!

    Reply
    • Thanks so much Meg for your feedback about the article. We were indeed surprised by the cuisine, cultural influences, and diversity of flavors. That’s awesome that you are keen on local specialties like the ants and snakes…you’d love Cambodia. Seriously, it is worth visiting and exploring. Thanks for stopping by.

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    • Hi Anneklien, when you do visit Cambodia, do hit the local markets. See the local specialties and even try them out. Do this before taking a food tour, where you will more than likely receive a catered experience that is “good for tourists.” If you do go and are looking to experience the real deal, let us know and we can connect you with our friends at Grantourismo. They can tailor a unique experience from a local’s perspective. No dog involved!!

      Reply
  5. A great compilation. It reminded me of our stay there while we were volunteering in Siem Reap. I remember how we use to scour the local markets for things we needed and also bargained like a pro. 🙂
    We could not try most of the “Exotic” food and we learnt to order even vegetarian dishes too .

    Here is an unbelievable sight of bar-be-cue from Siem Ream …. scroll to #5 street food https://www.lemonicks.com/asia/cambodia/7-must-see-experiences-in-cambodia/

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    • That’s wonderful to hear Nisha….you quickly learn in Cambodia to bargain every single place. Looks like you found amazing BBQ as well. So delicious and fresh. Glad you enjoyed your time in the Kingdom of Cambodia. Cheers!

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  6. Some great information as we are very unfamiliar with Cambodian cuisine. The picture of the dog stew is a bit disconcerting, would find it hard to eat especially if it was still growling.

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  7. You’ve done such a great job of pinpointing the best of what Cambodia has to offer. There are some truly delicious dishes. We took a Khmer cooking class on our trip to Cambodia and weren’t absolutely delighted with what we learned about this unique cuisine. Nice post!

    Reply
    • Thanks so much Heather for your feedback. That’s interesting that you were not delighted by you Khmer cooking class. We took one and will be writing about it shortly. We really enjoyed our experience and learning about the local cuisine.The food in Cambodia is different and a little introduction does go a long way!!

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  8. Cambodian food looks delicious, Rosemary. Some of the dishes look similar to food you get in other parts of Southeast Asia though. For example, the Numpang sandwich looks a bit Vietnamese and Kuytiev looks quite similar to other types of porridge.

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    • Indeed you are right Christina. There are similarities in the food, but it is important to recognize the differences in flavors in each country. For example, we loved the Bahn Mi in Vietnam. The Numpang sandwich in Cambodia had unique flavors and different cuts of meat. Similarities and differences too. Have you had Cambodian food? Thanks for stopping by!

      Reply
  9. I wish I’d had this guide when I visited Cambodia for a week back in 2013. I definitely felt like it lagged behind Thailand (where I’d been the month before) when it came to food, but it’s because I found it so difficult to track down local food amidst the tourist centred places in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.

    Next time!

    Reply
    • That’s too bad Chris the article was not out in 20113 🙂 Agree, it does take some serious hunting to track down real local and authentic Cambodian food. Perhaps its time for another visit 🙂 Cheers.

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  10. What a detailed post, you’ve taught me a lot about food in Cambodia. Did you try the ant dish yourself and what did you think of it? The bitter melon soup sounds intriguing too – and very thoughtful of the locals to consider that tourists might find it too bitter

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    • So glad you enjoyed reading the article Suze. Indeed, we did eat the red ants and found them quite tasty. The bitter melon soup was an experience and importantly a great way to “eat with, and like the locals.” Are you intrigued to try Cambodian food? Thanks for stopping by.

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  11. I had never considered the Western and French influence on Cambodian cuisine and I think its funny they tried to refuse serving you a local dish! I also love to try the local beer anywhere I go!

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    • Thanks Samantha…indeed it was a weird experience when they tried to steer us away from the local dishes. It was worth the “fight” and the range of flavors and textures is quite amazing. Yes, to the local beers…another way to experience the local culture 🙂

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  12. Whenever I think of Cambodian food, insects and reptiles come to kind instantly! I’m all for trying local cuisine, but I don’t know if I’m brave enough to try an insect or reptile!! Maybe this will change when I visit! Lol

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    • Hi Livi, there is more Cambodia cuisine than insects and reptiles. We included them here because they are a part of the local culture. However, there are other local dishes worth trying!! Hope you get to visit soon.

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  13. I love discovering the flavour and culture of a place through it’s food. Can’t say I’d be excited to try out dogs and bugs *shudder* but it’s so interesting how tastes vary from country to country!

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  14. So fascinated with Cambodia now especially in finding out that the tastes are unique to the region! I usually don’t give the food of a region much thought but your viewpoints make me feel I really should and that food can be travel gems in themselves. Will have to skip the bugs unfortunately – I like to try new things but eh… maybe not THAT much 😀

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    • You are most welcome Elizabeth. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be writing about the specific dishes not to miss in Cambodia. Check in regularly. Additionally, feel free to reach out with any questions. Cheers!

      Reply
  15. It is interesting that there is a heavy French influence in their cooking style – interesting fact! Did you find that their dishes were heavy with meat or were they lighter with veggies?

    Reply
  16. Great post! I took a food tour on my first night in Siem Reap and it was so much fun! I didn’t see snakes, though, as I probably would have tried it. I passed on the bugs, but did eat the frog legs. I loved the desserts there!

    Reply
  17. As a Vietnamese, I find Cambodian food look pretty similar with what we have in Vietnam. It’s true that the food in each country has its own characteristics. I really want to visit Cambodia and try these! Look so yummy

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    • Thanks so much Ha, for your feedback. Given that you are neighboring Cambodia, it is worth a visit to explore the differences between Vietnamese and Cambodia cuisine. What dishes here caught your attention? Cheers.

      Reply
  18. Wow thats alot info on eating in a part of the world I have never been. So interesting the colonial influence,and it seems like Heineken is everywhere! The insects and dogs freak me out a bit, I’m not going to lie! I am vegetarian and this just takes my love for veggies to a whole other level!

    Reply
    • Indeed, the food in Cambodia takes some getting used to….even for us as culinary explorers. The history is quite fascinating and understanding how it influences the food puts things in context. Thanks for stopping by.

      Reply

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