The Cambodian culinary art is considered as one of the quintessential Oriental cuisines and strongly influenced by the Chinese and Indian culture. Cambodian specialties are rustic but unique and eye-catching. If having a chance to take a tour of Vietnam and Cambodia, don’t forget to try the most stunning culinary delights as well as the must-try Cambodian food below:
Amok
Amok is one of must-try foods in Cambodia
Recognized as a national culinary delight of Cambodia, Amok is cooked in a fussy and sophisticated style, even though it looks simple at first sight. It is a process of steaming fish in banana leaves with curry, and other tantalizing ingredients. Perhaps, what creates the tangy aroma and attractive taste of the dish is the perfect combination of galangal and thick coconut cream. Apart from fish (carp, snakehead fish, or catfish), there are also other staple ingredients used to cook the food, such as chicken, and beef. Not only can you enjoy it in Cambodia, but it is also found in Laos or Thailand.
Bai sach chrouk
Bai sach chrouk, Cambodia
Bai sach chrouk also called rice with pork is certainly the must-try food you will get excited when travelling to Cambodia. The locals consider the food as a luscious and ideal breakfast, so it is not so hard to find and get it at street corners in different regions through the country. The dish’s name says it all; its key ingredients consist of pork grilled on coals and broken rice. Especially, everything you can be amazed is that the grilled pork’s sweetness because it is marinated in the mixture of coconut milk and some spices or garlic. Often, pickled cucumbers, daikon radish, and a bowl of chicken broth will be added to an order so that your meal will be greater.
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Lap Khmer
Lap Khmer is described as the unique salad interesting to enjoy when you are seeking for the must-food in Cambodia. About ingredients of the dish, it is easy to realize familiar names, such as mint, sliced beef, green beans, red chillies, green pepper, garlic, Asian basil, and shallots. The beef is normally seared or prepared in the ceviche style by using lime juice. However, the local men prefer the rare beef for this salad, and it is well grilled at many restaurants.
Khmer red curry
Khmer red curry, Cambodia
Compared to curries of Thailand – a neighboring country of Cambodia, Khmer red curry is far less spicy. The food includes chicken or fish, green beans, beef, potatoes, lemongrass, eggplant, fresh coconut milk, and kroeung. For a tour of Vietnam and Cambodia, don’t miss this curry. It is also an important part of the menu for special events in Cambodia, such as, religious holidays, weddings, and family gatherings. It is great to enjoy bread with Khmer red curry.
Ang dtray meuk
Ang dtray meuk
Stopping at Kep and Sihanoukville, you should experience an impressive Cambodia specialty called Ang dtray meuk here. It is easy to find it at seafood sellers along the shore; they always bring charcoal-burning ovens with them to serve you the fresh squid which has just been grilled. Surely, you find it very difficult to resist the tantalizing aroma from the skewers with grilled squids which have been marinated in lime juice and fish sauce. It is awesome to try!
Nom banh chok
Nom banh chok
It is an indispensable part of the list of the must-food in Cambodia; to make it easy to pronounce, you can also call it Khmer noodles. The locals view Khmer noodles as one of the breakfast foods in the early morning. Especially, when it comes to Nom banh chok, you can think about an image in which women carry two baskets with the food by a pole put on their shoulders in a balanced posture and yell out to sell it. Of course, noodles are the staple ingredient, but the more important element is green curry gravy with fish (the stock is made from kaffir lime, lemongrass, and lemongrass). It is enjoyed with green beans, bean sprouts, cucumbers, mint leaves, etc.
Red tree ants with holy basil and beef
Red tree ants with holy basil and beef in Cambodia
The last dish in the list of the must-try food in Cambodia is red tree ants with holy basil and beef. Cambodia is where you can find lots of unique cuisines with insects at famous restaurants, and the beef stir-fried with red tree ants and holy basil is one of those. It will have a tangy and unforgettable taste when you experience a trip to this country because of the distinctive sourness of the ants. Normally, it is better to savor with rice; sometimes you will have some ant larvae to try. How exciting!
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