Cambodia
What to eat and drink in Cambodia: dishes, etiquette and dietary tips
Try the core Khmer dishes – fish amok, lok lak, kuy teav, num banh chok and bai sach chrouk – unless you need vegetarian or halal options; skip them if you have a severe seafood allergy.
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Key facts
- Typical street‑food meal costcheck
- US$1–3 (≈KHR 4,000–12,000)
- Restaurant meal costcheck
- US$3–7 for a main (≈KHR 12,000–28,000)
- Street‑food safety
- Generally safe if stall is busy and food is cooked to order; avoid pre‑cooked salads and ice from unknown sources
Must‑try dishes
Fish amok – steamed fish in a coconut‑curry custard, served with rice; lunch or dinner.
Lok lak – stir‑fried beef with lime‑pepper dip and a fried egg; lunch or dinner.
Kuy teav – rice‑noodle soup with pork broth, herbs and optional meat; popular breakfast.
Num banh chok – rice noodles in a green fish‑curry broth with fresh vegetables; breakfast.
Bai sach chrouk – grilled pork on broken rice with pickles; classic breakfast.
- Veg‑friendly: ask for no meat or fish (veg: ask).
- Halal: look for Muslim‑run stalls in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap (veg: ask).
Eating etiquette
Meals are shared; take small helpings and use a spoon and fork (chopsticks for noodles).
Elders start first; the host usually pays the bill.
Dietary considerations
Prahok (fermented fish) and fish sauce appear in most dishes; vegetarians should ask for “kh'nyom tam sach”.
Halal options exist in Cham Muslim restaurants and near mosques; look for Arabic signage.
Peanut and shellfish allergies are common; carry the provided allergy card and avoid salads and dips that list peanuts or dried shrimp.
Questions people ask
What are the must‑try dishes in Cambodia?
Fish amok, lok lak, kuy teav, num banh chok and bai sach chrouk are the core Khmer dishes most travellers enjoy.
How much does a meal cost in Cambodia?
Street‑food meals cost about US$1–3, while restaurant mains range from US$3–7; prices vary by city and tourist area.
Is street food safe in Cambodia?
Yes, if the stall is busy, food is cooked to order and served hot. Avoid pre‑cooked salads, ice from unknown sources and stalls with low turnover.
Can I find vegetarian food in Cambodia?
Prahok and fish sauce are in most dishes, but tourist towns have vegetarian cafés. Say 'kh'nyom tam sach' (I don't eat meat) and 'at dak teuk trei' (no fish sauce).
What is the drinking water situation in Cambodia?
Tap water is not safe to drink. Use bottled or filtered water. Tube ice in drinks is usually factory‑made and considered safe, but crushed ice is riskier.
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Deep dive
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Sources
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