Foodie’s Guide to Cambodia: Must-Try Dishes & Where to Find Them

The land of majestic temples and breathtaking scenic beauty, Cambodia is often visited by travelers from all across the world for its captivating heritage and culture. But little do they know that Cambodian cuisine, also known as Khmer cuisine, is a hidden gem that the country has to offer.

From delectable seafood to scrumptious meat-y loaves, Cambodian cuisine will leave your taste buds wanting more. Has it triggered the foodaholic in you awake? Then, all you have to do is visit Cambodia and seek the places where you are going to find the best Cambodian dishes. And step 1 is to apply for a Cambodia entry visa.

Barring a few visa-waiver countries, citizens of every other nation have to apply for a Cambodia entry visa to travel to the country. Cambodian cuisine has had its influence from the French colonial era, so you are definitely signing up for something incredibly exciting! But as of now, the first step is to come to our online portal and apply for the eVisa.

Getting Done with the Visa Application First

Before you start packing your bags, let’s wrap up the visa application first. Cambodia offers most countries the option to apply for an online visa, thus making it rather convenient for travelers to visit the country. Come to our online portal and apply for the Cambodia entry visa, also known as the Tourist Visa.

Here is what to know about the Cambodia entry visa:

Entry type: Single entry

Validity: 3 months from the date it has been issued

Letting the guest stay for: 1 month

Requirements for visa application: A passport valid for 180 days after you depart Cambodia, recent digital photo (PNG or JPEG) in passport-size, credit card (Mastercard or Visa)

Visa exemption countries: Malaysia, Laos, Singapore, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Myanmar, Brunei Darussalam

The application procedure for Cambodia entry visa is no rocket science! Simply come to our online portal, fill out the application form, upload the photo, submit the necessary documents, and finally pay the visa application fee. You will get the approval mailed to you within a few business days.

And so, you are now all set to travel to Cambodia and give the food lover in you the pampering it deserves!

Cambodian Dishes That Await You!

Cambodia’s local dishes are to die for! Whether you are a fearless eater and want to introduce your taste buds to cooked scorpions or fried tarantulas or simply want to stick to the basics of beef and pork, Cambodia has something for every genre of food lovers!

Kuy Teav

If you have tasted Vietnamese Pho previously and have loved it, Kuy Teav might give you a better experience! Considered a breakfast item, Kuy Teav is a rice noodle soup served steaming hot along with beef or pork broth. It is often garnished with coriander, spring onions, beansprouts, and lettuce leaves.

Finding Kuy Teav: Visit any street food stall, small eatery, or local market to get this dish. Each region will serve you a different variation or may add different spices to the broth.

Condiments used: You may get to enjoy condiments like chili sauce, fish sauce, or even freshly chopped chilies to enhance the flavor however you like it.

Serving style: You get the noodle soup in a bowl and may use a spoon or chopsticks to have the broth and eat the noodles respectively.

Local variations: The flavors of Kuy Teav vary according to regions. In Phnom Penh, you get a noodle soup that includes shrimp, pork, or other seafood.

Nom Banh Chok

Nom Banh Chok is a type of Khmer noodles you can enjoy for breakfast or as an evening snack. The dish is rather unique, as the noodles are not made of flour but of fermented rice. The curry carries a rich fish flavor and is garnished with vegetables and herbs like basil, lemongrass, or mint.

Finding Nom Banh Chok: The dish is widely available in local markets, hawker centers, and street food stalls everywhere in Cambodia. The flavors vary according to the region.

Pro tip: ask the vendor selling Nom Banh Chok to flavor yours with vegetables, fresh herbs, lime wedges, and chili paste. Thank us later.

Eating style: Use a spoon to have the flavorful curry and chopsticks to pick up the noodles. But remember to mix everything well before starting to eat.

Local variations: The flavor changes according to the local region. In Siem Reap, you may get more herbs and a slightly different curry in comparison to places like Phnom Penh.

Edible Insects

A crucial part of Cambodian delicacy, your trip to the country remains incomplete if you have not given a chance to this! Considered an inexpensive source of protein, you will find street vendors everywhere selling heaps of red ants, cockroaches, water snakes, water bugs, and many more. They are served with pickled chilies, lime, or spring onions. If you are finding it too hard to eat them, just gulp them down with a can of beer!

Finding edible insects: Street stalls and even some restaurants serving traditional cuisine have edible insects on their menu. Look for vendors in Psar Chas (Siem Reap) or Psar Thmei (Phnom Penh).

Preparation: The insects are either roasted or fried and spiced with salt, garlic, and chili powder. This gives them crunch and flavor.

Texture and flavors: Each insect tastes different. While fried tarantulas have a crispy outside and tender insides, grasshoppers and crickets are quite crunchy.

Cultural perspective: Edible insects are not merely cultural traditions; they are a source of sustainable protein. It's intrinsic to the country’s gastronomic heritage.

Num Ansom Chek

The dessert item is mostly served in times of festivals, like during the Cambodian New Year or the Festival of Souls (Pchum Ben). It's basically a mixture of grated coconut and sticky rice steamed in banana leaves. The dessert retains its texture and taste for days, as the banana leaves keep it fresh.

Finding Num Ansom Chek: Even though mostly prevalent during festivals, you can get to taste the dessert in local markets in Siem Reap or restaurants selling traditional desserts.

Texture and flavor: The combination of coconut milk, sticky rice, and banana leaves gives the dessert a distinguished sweet flavor and a subtle fragrance.

Eating style: Use your hands to unwrap the banana leaves. Take bite-sized pieces to enjoy the dessert, and eat it slowly to savor the incredible taste and chewiness.

Cultural significance: Num Ansom Chek is mostly served during religious occasions and family get togethers. It includes the use of traditional culinary techniques and local ingredients.

The list does not end here! There are several delectable dishes that you can have for breakfast, lunch, or simply as desserts! Do not shy away from trying local dishes, however weird the ingredients may apparently seem to your palette. Just get the Cambodia entry visa application done and set on this culinary expedition!

So, Ready to Take the Foodie in You for an Adventure?

If the names of these dishes have not awakened the foodie in you yet, trying them will surely do! Plan a trip to Cambodia, and consider introducing your taste buds to the authentic cuisine. There is truly a lot more to do than simply visiting the temples and going sightseeing! Just apply for the Cambodia entry visa on our portal and make sure to follow the guidelines to get it approved. It would be a wise idea to carry a printed version of the eVisa with you, as you travel here and there in search of local dishes.

Have more queries about the Cambodian eVisa? Get in touch with us!

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Check Eligibility for Cambodia e-Visa and apply for Cambodia e-Visa 5 days prior to your scheduled flight to Cambodia. German citizens, Norwegian citizens, Ecuadorian citizens and Polish citizens are eligible to apply online for Cambodia e-Visa.