Phnom Penh is a city that has been overrun with street food. There’s no way to walk down any street and not find an assortment of delicious dishes that will leave you wanting more. In this blog post, we’re going to take a closer look at the best dishes in Phnom Penh and what makes them so great!
Bún Riêu
Bún Riêu, pronounced Boon Ree-uw, is a dish that consists of vermicelli noodles with broth and topped off with crab meat. The soup is made using tamarind juice which gives it the tangy flavor that you’ll love. It’s then mixed in with some coconut milk for added richness to give it more depth. When served, the soup is topped with crispy fried garlic, scallions and onions.
It’s not hard to see why Bún Riêu has become popular in Phnom Penh. The broth is flavorful and rich while still being light enough that you don’t feel like it weighs too much on your stomach. It’s wonderful for anyone who loves seafood because it’s filled with crab meat. The combination of all the ingredients together is what makes Bún Riêu so delicious, you’ll find yourself wanting more and more!
Giant Grilled Squid
Giant Grilled Squid is a dish popular in the Kandal Province. It consists of squid that’s grilled on an open flame and then cut into large chunks. The texture of the meat is amazing because it becomes soft, yet remains chewy at the same time making each bite delicious!
It doesn’t stop there either; Giant Grilled Squid is served with seasoned pepper and shrimp paste to give it even more flavor. The dish also comes with a side of fish sauce mixed in with lime juice, chili peppers, garlic and mint leaves for added taste.
Avocado Durian Shake
Avocado Durian Shake is a drink that’s becoming popular in Phnom Penh. It consists of avocado, ice cream, milk and durian fruit all blended together into one delicious treat! The creamy texture from the avocado mixed with the sweetness of ice cream makes for an amazing experience every time you take a sip.
The reason Avocado Durian Shake is so popular in Phnom Penh is due to the unique combination of flavors. Durian fruit has a very distinct taste, which you either love or hate! The addition of avocado and ice cream takes away some of that bitter tang from durian while also adding richness with its creamy texture. A lot of people enjoy Avocado Durian Shake because they get the best of both worlds with only a hint of durian!
Num banh chok
Num banh chok is enjoyed for breakfast in Cambodia. It consists of rice vermicelli topped with fish gravy and raw vegetables such as cucumbers, water lily stems, banana blossoms, basil, and mint among others.
The broth has a delightful flavor that’s rich, yet not too heavy to weigh you down which makes it the perfect dish to enjoy first thing in the morning! When mixed with all of its ingredients together it creates an amazing combination of flavors and textures that will leave your taste buds asking for more!
Bay Sach Chruk
Bay Sach Chruk is a dish consisting of braised pork belly cooked in soy sauce, fish sauce and sugar. It’s then served with steamed white rice for an added texture to the meal.
It’s not hard to see why Bay Sach Chruk has become popular in Phnom Penh; it consists of meat that becomes tender and succulent due to the braising process. It’s topped off with an amazing sauce that has just enough sweetness to it which allows you enjoy every bite without becoming too much!
Sach ko ang jakak
Sach ko ang jakak is a must try when you visit Cambodia. The taste is savory and addicting, even though it might seem like just another street food at first glance. It’s made from marinated beef that is grilled over charcoal until perfectly seared on the outside but still tender and juicy inside. To make this amazing dish, thinly sliced pieces of beef are marinated in a mixture of lime juice and fish sauce, and then grilled over an open flame.
Kralan
Kralan is a dish that’s becoming increasingly popular due to its unique texture and taste. It consists of sticky white rice, black beans, coconut cream, and then put it into the bamboo and used the banana leaves to cover the bamboo, then grilled on an open flame.
The combination of textures you get with Kralan will astound you! The soft, yet chewy feel mixed with the fragrance of fresh leaves makes for an amazing food experience. Besides, it doesn’t stop there; Kralan is also topped with coconut and brown sugar to give added flavor!
Dried Buffalo
Dried Buffalo is a dish enjoyed in Cambodia for its rich taste and texture. The buffalo skin is first dried by smoking it over charcoal, then the meat gets braised until tender before finally being served with seasoned pepper or shrimp paste depending on your preference!
The best part about Dried Buffalo is that while you’re eating it, you’ll enjoy the added flavor from its sauce combined with a tender and succulent texture! The outer layer gets crispy while it’s being grilled, which gives you an interesting contrast of textures.
Cambodian Barbecue
Cambodian Barbecue is a dish that’s slowly catching on in the United States. It consists of marinated meats such as chicken and beef, which are skewered on bamboo sticks then grilled over charcoal to give it added flavor!
The amazing part about Cambodian BBQ skewers is the fact that they’re prepared with such fresh ingredients! The grilling process allows for all of those natural flavors to really come out more, making it something you won’t forget anytime soon!
Fried Banana
Fried Banana is a dish enjoyed for its unique texture and taste. It consists of bananas that are dipped in batter then deep-fried until golden brown!
This might seem like just another ordinary dessert at first, but Fried Banana will quickly change your mind when you take the first bite into it! The outside gets crispy while the inside remains soft and chewy, creating a contrast of textures that’s sure to wow your taste buds!
Final Words
Phnom Penh is a city of diverse street foods that will leave your stomach and taste buds satisfied! If you’re looking for something different to try, we recommend trying one of these 10 dishes.
Street food in Phnom Penh has become popular due to their rich tastes and simple preparations; all it takes is some fresh ingredients grilled over an open flame with the right seasoning or dipping sauce. Which dish would you like to try? Let us know if any of these sound appealing.
Also, if you are planning to visit Hanoi after Phnom Penh, then we have The 10 Best Street Foods in Hanoi for you.
