Cambodia famous food offers a bold blend of sweet, sour, salty, and umami, with roots in ancient Khmer cuisine, French influence, and neighboring Southeast Asian flavors. From creamy fish amok and peppery lok lak to tangy noodle soups and crispy street snacks, Cambodia’s culinary heritage is both humble and delicious.
In this guide, you’ll discover the best food to try in Cambodia, including traditional home-cooked meals, vibrant street eats, and iconic Khmer specialties that capture the spirit of Cambodian culture.
- 1. Fish Amok
- 2. Lok Lak
- 3. Bai Sach Chrouk
- 4. Kuy Teav
- 5. Nom Banh Chok (Khmer Noodles)
- 6. Samlor Korkor
- 7. Cha Houy Teuk
- 8. Prahok Ktis
- 9. Num Pang
- 10. Ang Dtray-Meuk (Grilled Squid)
- 11. Nom Pang Sach Chrouk
- 12. Samlor Machu Trey
- 13. Red Tree Ants with Beef and Holy Basil
- 14. Num Ansom
- 15. Pong Tea Khon (Balut)
- 16. Lap Khmer (Khmer Ceviche)
- 17. Kor Ko (Beef & Vegetable Stew)
- FAQs
1. Fish Amok
Fish Amok is Cambodia’s national dish and a highlight of the traditional food of Cambodia. This steamed fish curry, made with coconut milk and kroeung (Khmer spice paste), is creamy, delicately spiced, and beautifully served in banana leaves.
- Must Try With: Fish amok in a banana leaf with jasmine rice
- Where to Eat: Try it at riverside cafés in Phnom Penh or fine‑dining places like Romdeng.
- Price Range: $3–$6 (₹250–₹500)
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2. Lok Lak
Lok Lak is a flavorful stir-fried beef dish marinated in soy, oyster sauce, and garlic, often served with lettuce, tomato, cucumber, and a fried egg on top. The pepper-lime dipping sauce made with Kampot pepper gives it a sharp, citrusy punch. Among the top dishes in Cambodia, it’s enjoyed in both casual eateries and upscale restaurants, blending local flavors with French colonial influence for a hearty, tangy comfort food experience.
- Must Try With: Beef lok lak with Kampot pepper-lime sauce and fried egg
- Where to Eat: Local favorite restaurants in Phnom Penh or Siem Reap town centers
- Price Range: $3–$7 (₹250–₹580)
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3. Bai Sach Chrouk
Bai Sach Chrouk is a simple yet iconic Cambodian breakfast dish featuring thinly sliced grilled pork served over rice, with pickled vegetables and sometimes a fried egg. The pork is marinated in coconut milk and garlic, then grilled until smoky and tender. It’s usually accompanied by a bowl of clear soup and found at roadside stalls early in the morning.
- Must Try With: Grilled pork over rice with cucumber pickles and clear broth
- Where to Eat: Street-side breakfast stalls across Cambodian towns
- Price Range: $1.50–$3 (₹125–₹250)
4. Kuy Teav
Kuy Teav is a light and savory rice noodle soup typically eaten for breakfast in Cambodia. It features clear pork or beef broth, flat rice noodles, and toppings like minced pork, sliced beef, bean sprouts, fried garlic, and fresh herbs. Some versions include shrimp or fish balls. You can customize it with chili paste, lime juice, or soy sauce at the table.
- Must Try With: Pork broth noodle soup with lime juice and fresh herbs
- Where to Eat: Early morning noodle vendors in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap
- Price Range: $1.50–$4 (₹125–₹330)
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5. Nom Banh Chok (Khmer Noodles)
Nom Banh Chok, also called “Khmer noodles,” is a beloved breakfast dish made of fermented rice noodles topped with a light green curry sauce made from lemongrass, turmeric, and galangal. It’s garnished with banana flower, long beans, cucumbers, and fresh herbs. Locals often buy it from street vendors early in the morning.
- Must Try With: Fermented rice noodles with green curry sauce and banana blossom
- Where to Eat: Street stalls in Siem Reap or local village vendors
- Price Range: $1–$2.50 (₹83–₹210)
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6. Samlor Korkor
Samlor Korkor is one of Cambodia’s oldest and most traditional soups. It’s made from mixed vegetables like eggplant, green papaya, and long beans cooked with fish or pork, fermented fish paste (prahok), and lemongrass-based kroeung. Unlike many clear broths, this soup is thickened with toasted rice powder, giving it a comforting, rustic texture.
- Must Try With: Thick vegetable soup with pork and roasted rice powder
- Where to Eat: Traditional home-style restaurants in rural provinces
- Price Range: $2.50–$5 (₹210–₹415)
7. Cha Houy Teuk
Cha Houy Teuk is a vibrant Cambodian dessert made from agar jelly, mung beans, sago pearls, and sometimes red beans, all soaked in sweetened coconut milk. Served cold in a glass or bowl, it’s a refreshing treat for hot days. You’ll often find it at local markets and street stalls, especially during the Khmer New Year.
- Must Try With: Coconut milk jelly dessert with mung beans and sago pearls
- Where to Eat: Khmer New Year stalls or markets in Phnom Penh
- Price Range: $0.50–$1.50 (₹40–₹125)
8. Prahok Ktis
Prahok Ktis is a rich, flavorful dip made from Cambodia’s famous fermented fish paste (prahok), stir-fried with minced pork, coconut milk, and lemongrass. It’s served warm with a basket of raw or blanched vegetables like cabbage, cucumbers, and long beans. The strong, savory taste isn’t for everyone, but it’s one of the most distinctively Cambodian flavors you can try.
- Must Try With: Fermented fish dip with minced pork, coconut milk, and raw vegetables
- Where to Eat: Local Khmer eateries and heritage‑style homes
- Price Range: $2.50–$4.50 (₹210–₹375)
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9. Num Pang
Num Pang is Cambodia’s version of the banh, a French-style baguette filled with grilled meats (usually pork or sausage), pickled carrots, cucumbers, cilantro, and chili mayo. It’s fast, flavorful, and deeply satisfying with a perfect crunch from the bread and punch from the pickles.
- Must Try With: Baguette sandwich with pork, pickles, cilantro, and chili mayo
- Where to Eat: Mobile vendors or bakeries in Phnom Penh
- Price Range: $1–$2.50 (₹83–₹210)
10. Ang Dtray-Meuk (Grilled Squid)
Ang Dtray-Meuk is a popular coastal street food consisting of whole squid skewered and grilled over charcoal. The squid is marinated in lime juice, garlic, fish sauce, and sometimes sugar before being grilled to a tender, slightly smoky perfection. It’s typically served with a zesty chili dipping sauce and eaten straight off the stick.
- Must Try With: Grilled squid skewers with tangy chili-lime sauce
- Where to Eat: Coastal towns like Kep and Sihanoukville
- Price Range: $2–$4 (₹165–₹330)
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11. Nom Pang Sach Chrouk
Nom Pang Sach Chrouk is a street-side favorite in Cambodia famous food a variation of num pang that features sweet and smoky grilled pork layered inside a crusty baguette. Topped with pickled vegetables, herbs, and spicy condiments like green chili paste or garlic sauce, it’s bold, satisfying, and easy to grab on the go. Commonly found at street stalls in Phnom Penh, this sandwich is quick, affordable, and bursting with flavor.
- Must Try With: Pork baguette loaded with pickled veggies and chili paste
- Where to Eat: Street stalls in Phnom Penh’s morning markets
- Price Range: $1–$2 (₹83–₹165)
12. Samlor Machu Trey
Samlor Machu Trey is a classic Cambodian sour fish soup made with freshwater fish (often catfish), pineapple, tomatoes, tamarind, and herbs. The broth is light, tangy, and slightly sweet, typically garnished with basil, sawtooth coriander, and chili. It’s one of the most popular Khmer soups, especially in rural homes..
- Must Try With: Sour fish soup with pineapple, tamarind, and jasmine rice
- Where to Eat: Rural eateries and villages along the Mekong River
- Price Range: $2.50–$5 (₹210–₹415)
13. Red Tree Ants with Beef and Holy Basil
This adventurous Cambodian dish combines minced beef, holy basil, garlic, chilies, and red tree ants, yes, real ants, sautéed together in a wok. The ants add a lemony, slightly sour tang that pairs surprisingly well with the savory beef. It’s crunchy, spicy, and packed with protein.
- Must Try With: Crunchy red tree ants stir-fried with beef, chili, and basil
- Where to Eat: Siem Reap or the northwest provinces at local specialty eateries
- Price Range: $3–$6 (₹250–₹500)
14. Num Ansom
Num Ansom is a traditional sticky rice cake wrapped in banana leaves and typically filled with banana, mung beans, or pork. It’s steamed for several hours until soft and fragrant, often eaten during the Khmer New Year and religious festivals. The sweet version has banana inside, while the savory one may include pork fat and pepper.
- Must Try With: Banana-stuffed sticky rice wrapped in banana leaf
- Where to Eat: Available during the Khmer New Year or temple fairs
- Price Range: $1–$2 (₹83–₹165)
15. Pong Tea Khon (Balut)
Pong Tea Khon is Cambodia’s version of balut, a fertilized duck egg boiled and eaten in the shell. It’s seasoned with herbs, lime juice, and chili, and usually sold by street vendors. While not for the faint-hearted, locals enjoy it as a protein-rich snack, especially in the evenings. It’s soft, salty, and surprisingly mild in flavor.
- Must Try With: Fertilized duck egg with lime, pepper, and herbs
- Where to Eat: Evening street vendors in Phnom Penh
- Price Range: $1–$1.50 (₹83–₹125)
16. Lap Khmer (Khmer Ceviche)
Lap Khmer is Cambodia’s version of ceviche, thinly sliced raw or lightly seared beef marinated in lime juice, garlic, shallots, fish sauce, and chili. It’s garnished with mint, basil, and thinly sliced cucumbers for a refreshing yet fiery bite. The lime “cooks” the beef just enough to maintain a soft texture, and the herbs add balance and fragrance.
- Must Try With: Beef salad marinated in lime, garlic, herbs, and chili
- Where to Eat: Khmer home-style restaurants and rural guesthouses
- Price Range: $2.50–$5 (₹210–₹415)
17. Kor Ko (Beef & Vegetable Stew)
Kor Ko is a traditional Khmer stew made with beef or pork, slow-cooked with mixed vegetables, lemongrass, galangal, fermented fish paste (prahok), and roasted rice powder for thickness. It’s hearty and packed with umami, making it a popular family meal, especially in rural Cambodia.
- Must Try With: Slow-cooked pork stew in lemongrass and prahok with rice
- Where to Eat: Family kitchens or traditional restaurants in countryside areas
- Price Range: $2–$4.50 (₹165–₹375)
FAQs
What is the most famous food in Cambodia?
Fish Amok is widely considered the national dish and a signature of Cambodia famous food. This creamy, fragrant curry steamed in banana leaves represents the heart of traditional Khmer cuisine and is loved for its delicate balance of flavors.
What are the best foods to try in Cambodia?
Must-try dishes include Fish Amok, Lok Lak, Kuy Teav, Bai Sach Chrouk, and Nom Banh Chok.
Is Cambodian food spicy?
Generally, it’s mildly spiced. Chilies and sauces are served on the side for those who like heat.
Is street food safe in Cambodia?
Yes, especially in busy markets and high-traffic areas. Always opt for fresh and well-cooked options.
Are there vegetarian options in Cambodia?
Yes. Dishes like Nom Banh Chok, Samlor Korkor, and some desserts like Cha Houy Teuk are vegetarian.
What dessert should I try in Cambodia?
Cha Houy Teuk and Num Ansom are two of the most popular and traditional Cambodian desserts.
Where can I try Authentic food in Cambodia?
Head to Psar Chas (Old Market) in Siem Reap, Phnom Penh’s street stalls, or restaurants like Romdeng, Sugar Palm, and Khmer Kitchen.
