These are the Best Khmer Street Food in Cambodia
If you’re already in Cambodia, you may see how the life is going on, in the streets of Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, one thing you notice is the exotic street foods in Cambodia, the cuisine culture is a must-experience. Cambodian cuisine boasts a large variety, blending Asian aromas and flavors that make it truly a Khmer cuisine. Let’s uncover its rich culinary culture and explore the top 14 street foods in Cambodia you shouldn’t miss!
Cambodian street foods are slightly different from the other Asian cuisines you ever tried, they reflects the nation’s geography, ethnic diversity, and deep Khmer traditions. This is why Cambodian street foods and culinary traditions are steeped in heritage, offering a truly authentic experience.
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What is the most popular street food in Cambodia?
- Num banh chok
- Num Pang pate – Cambodian Sandwich (Similar to Vietnamese Banh Mi)
- Khmer style BBQ pork ribs
- Fish amok, Cambodian national food
- Khmer Num Krok
- Kranlan, Bamboo Sticky Rice
- A-Ping, deep-fried spider
- Ang Dtray Meuk, the grilled squid
- Nom Ka Chai, Cambodian Chive Cake
- Balut, Fertilized Chicken Egg
- Fried scorpion & Insects
- Lort Cha, stir fried rice noodle
- Bai Sach Chrouk (Chopped grilled pork & rice)
The most popular street foods are however vary from city to city, however, in general, Khmer cuisine is slightly similar to Thai, but with fewer spices. A Cambodian meal almost always includes a soup, and fish is the nation’s mainstay – grilled freshwater fish, wrapped in lettuce or spinach and dipped into a nutty fish sauce, is a particular speciality. Sweet dishes include sticky rice cakes and jackfruit pudding. Tap water is best avoided, so stock up on mineral water, fruit-smoothy concoctions and the usual array of soft drinks. The proliferation of ‘muscle wines’ are best avoided.
1. Num banh chok, the herb curry soup
It’s known as the Khmer noodle, the famous noodle, lemongrass and fish gravy is a thing to eat if you want to g, this is a Cambodian classic dish, makes a perfect breakfast or afternoon food. This street food features noodles soaked in a flavorful yellow lemongrass and fish gravy, simmered for hours to enhance the taste.
2. Num Pang pate Sandwich
Cambodia’s famous sandwich you see in the streets of Siem Reap, the Num Pang Pate, is the Khmer’s version of the Vietnamese banh mi. We’ve tried one at Pub Street Nom Pan Pate and i’ve to say that it’s a must try street food in Cambodia and you should try it.
“It’s basically a baguette filled with pork belly and/or pate, quick-pickled vegetables like carrot and cucumber, crunchy ingredients like crisp daikon and fresh coriander, all topped with a generous layer of chili sauce.
The Num Pang sandwiches are incredibly popular with Khmers. You’ll spot num pang stalls all over Phnom Penh and places like Siem Reap, where it’s common to see motorbike riders grabbing one as a quick snack on the go.
3. Khmer style BBQ pork ribs
Phnom Penh’s Russian Market is home to numerous street food stalls from where the vendors are selling some of the tastiest BBQs ever. For travelers visiting the famous market, this is a truly local experience as you can sample tropic fruits before heading down a smaller street lined with BBQ carts.
The street foods include fish, chicken, and pork. You pick your ribs, still raw and hanging on hooks, and the vendor grills them right in front of you. It’s very unique as it is smoky, sticky ribs and how perfectly an ice-cold Angkor beer complements them.
4. Fish amok, Cambodian national food
Fish amok, Cambodia’s tasty national dish, often comes with a variety of sides, offering a fresh taste perfect to be called a popular street food and a must-try while in Cambodia.
Famous among tourists it tastes fresh and delicious, served with rice, it is a cheap and a street food you can easily spot anywhere in Siem Reap and Phnom penh and Battambang. The fish amok, a traditional Khmer steamed fish curry, is said to date back to the Khmer Empire. Typically served in a banana leaf, it’s definitely a must try if you are in Siem Reap.
Khmer often order more as a side-dish, other foods include Cha lok lak (a beef dish) or a weird Cambodian fried frog and even stir-fried red ants. There was plenty of street foods.
5. Khmer Num Krok
Khmer num krok are small round cakes made from rice flour and coconut, a popular street food found all over Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The cakes have a crispy surface that encases a soft, just-set coconut batter. They come in both sweet and savory versions, and some vendors sell both—a bonus for indecisive food lovers like me!
If you’ve been to Thailand, you might recognize num krok’s Thai version too, called, khanom krok. Num krok is a very cheap snack, that cost not more than 40 cent, and tastes best when eaten hot and fresh.
6. Kranlan, Bamboo Sticky Rice
Cambodian Bamboo Sticky Rice, or “Kralan” in Khmer, is another cheap yet very popular traditional dish and a staple of street food in Cambodia. Vendors prepare it by mixing sticky rice with coconut milk, grated coconut, sugar, and a pinch of salt, then stuffing the mixture into a bamboo stalk. The bamboo is roasted over an open flame, giving the rice a slightly smoky flavor.
Kralan is a common snack or dessert, famous not only for its fresh taste but also for its very cheap. The bamboo stalk serves as a natural, disposable container, making it easy to carry with you and enjoy on the go. You’ll often find it sold by street vendors throughout Cambodia, adding to the exotic list of the street food in Cambodia.
7. Kang Kep Baob, the stuffed Frog
One of the most amazing and weird street foods in Cambodia is Kang Kep Baob, or stuffed frog. As the name suggests, the frog is filled with a mix of ingredients. The filling includes chopped frog meat, pork, coconut, peanuts, mix of herbs & citronella, all stuffed into the frog’s belly, giving it a closed up look.
The frog is then dried under the sun for a while before being grilled or fried. When served hot, the stuffed frog delivers a delicious aroma and a tender texture. Kang Kep Baob is a unique and a very popular street food in Cambodia.
8. A-Ping, deep-fried spider. A daring Cambodian street food
9. Ang Dtray Meuk, the grilled squid
If you’re craving large, delicious seafood in the streets of Cambodia, grilled squid, or Khmer word, Ang Dtray Meuk, is a must-try. Vendors marinate the fresh, big-sized squid, barbecue it to get it a smoked taste, and serve it with a spicy Khmer chili sauce. The combination of the squid’s sweetness and the sauce’s heat creates a delightful burst of flavor.
10. Nom Ka Chai, Cambodian Chive Cake
The process of making Nom Ka Chai involves combining the rice flour with water to create a smooth batter. Ingredients and recipe include: Chopped chives are then added to the mixture, along with other ingredients such as garlic, shallots, fish sauce, and sometimes even dried shrimp for an extra burst of umami. This mixture is then steamed until it forms a soft and slightly chewy cake. Streets of Phnom Penh would be an ideal place to try the best Nom Ka Chai street khmer food.
11. Balut, Fertilized Chicken Egg
Called Pong Tia Koon by Khmers and not essentially a Cambodian street food as you can find it in Thailand, Laos and Vietnam too.
You’ll find Khmer street food exotic when trying a quick grab called Balut, which refers to fertilized eggs. A word of caution: the appearance of the egg might not seem “attractive.” After fertilizing chicken or duck eggs, people leave them until they reach a stage suitable for boiling.
In Cambodia, street vendors serve the balut chicken egg directly from the shell, without a bowl. They season it with salt, pepper, and lemon juice, turning this rich source of protein into a flavorful treat. We bet the taste will stay with you for a long time.
12. Fried scorpion & Insects
Fried scorpion, or insects, similar to those you see in the streets of Bangkok, are deep friend and sell on a bamboo stick, this is another Cambodian street daring food that challenges your curiosity. While it may look intimidating, it’s crunchy texture might change your mind once you try it. You can easily find this snack on the streets, especially near tourist sites and pub street in Siem Reap.
13. Lort Cha, stir fried rice noodle
14. Bai Sach Chrouk (Chopped grilled pork & rice)
Savor Cambodia’s most popular street food and try the delicious Bai Sach Chrouk. In the bustling streets of Cambodia, where tantalizing aromas fill the air, one street food reigns supreme – Bai Sach Chrouk. This dish has become a staple of Khmer street food culture and is often served for lunch or dinner.
The sticky rice and pork, the Bai Sach Chrouk features marinated pork grilled to perfection and served with rice, pickled vegetables, and a drizzle of savory-sweet sauce. This popular street food creates a vibrant, communal atmosphere as locals eagerly gather for a steaming plate in the early hours.
