Part 4 : Food-Hunting in Siem Reap

Are we going around the globe or what?! Haha! Now that we're already hunting in Siem Reap... I'm sure some of us might be wondering what to eat in Siem Reap. Well, there are loads of good local delicacies there. And for sure, tempting enough for me to try.

When I always travelling with PYO Travel, I was brought to a local restaurant which serve mouth-watering local dishes and also a presentation of Khmer traditional dance show at the same time. That was quite an interesting (yummy) experience! Haha!

1) Amok

This is so much similar to the Malaysian version otak-otak! Nicely steamed and grilled in banana leaves. They use catfish meat to make this delicacy. Good & tasty!

2) Sngou Trolach Nyuk Bongkong
Never mind the spelling and pronunciation. I simply call this stuffed gourd with minced meat & prawns. The gourd was fresh and the prawns as well. Very nice to eat with rice. The soup was clear and very sweet.

3) Bok Lahong
A very simple and mouth-watering appetizer. Sweet and sour, with a bit of spicy. Extra points for the crunchy texture from the peanuts, cucumber and raw papaya. Simply irresistable!

4) Somlor Machu Kreung Ktih Sach Chrook
I love kangkung! This is a dish specially made for me! Haha! With some ribs and beef tendon, the flavour just rush into your mouth. You can also taste some lemon grass and assam in the soup.

Had a great time there in Siem Reap and let not the food-hunting spirit stop! Click PYO Travel to experience the excitement yourself.

Siem Reap has the Soupy, but Not-So-Plain…

After a visit to my doctor, I was advised to give a break to my regular intake of curries, chilies, anything and everything fried. Instead, I was to consume only food that is soupy, plain, and light. Oh great! All because of a seasonal flu, I was subjected to this strict diet.

Soup for me.

The old saying of ‘feed the cold and starve a fever’ is just an old saying. No way I’m going to eat light. But soupy food? Bring it. Being a Cantonese girl, I grew up with soups. And even though Cambodia isn’t exactly a food haven, it does have something good to offer somewhere, in some corner, tucked away. You just have to follow your nose, and look for the crowd.

Fishes to make praho- fish paste/ some call it Khmer cheese!

Cambodian food is a cross balance between Thai and Vietnamese food. Soupy like the Vietnamese, spiced up a little like the Thai, but not as spicy. Following the reign of Khmer regime, the local palate is famously noted for using praho (fermented fish paste) and kapi (fermented prawn paste). The flavours of these fermented paste is distinctive and has a pungent smell to it. It is definitely an acquired taste for any first-timers. Coconut milk is also generously used for most of the curry cuisine.

The humble simple noodle soup

One of the local favourites is the noodle soup. It is a simple dish that I’m often picky with as it takes the freshest ingredients and no stinginess to make this dish. The broth has to be prepared with enough essence base for the soup to taste good. Addictives added will just put me off as it only enhances the taste artificially. Here, springy fish ball and tender chicken shreds are used, with a nice sprinkle of green onions on top for colour. I’m sure I’ll have my doctor’s approval for this dish. Soupy, but not plain like the Malaysian kind, it has a nice hint of lime and spicy herbs for that added point for this Cambodian noodle soup.

Looks deceiving plain but it's bursting with flavours.

A second soupy dish is the Khmer hot and sour soup. This is a nice change from normal plain chicken soup or the off-my-list curry soup. Doctor said no curries for me. He did not mentioned hot and sour. It is a soup after all and it has healthy vegetables, mushrooms, lotus roots and some nice whole chilies added for the kick. It is a fish based soup using prahok. This soup will sure help with my sinus congestion.

A bowl of hearty stew- Caw

Third soup which I want to introduce is actually a stew. It’s counted as a soup too because it’s soupy! It is called Caw. It is made with either chicken or pork with whole eggs simmered together for hours. Take small savouring spoonful and taste the caramelized palm sugar. It is definitely a hearty soup and makes a good snack for the in between meals.

Beer is cheaper than Coke

Last but not least, I heard beer is good for cooling the body down. It helps with fever. Angkor beer is sweet and cheaper than a can of Coke in Siem Reap. Even though I’m not a big fan of beer, but what the heck, it’s cheap.

A great place to check out popular local cuisine, Siem Reap's Old Market is where you should go. Let me know what other good food you managed find at Siem Reap. But first, check out the flights and accommodation at Siem Reap here.


*photo courtesy from BorneoBoy, Karen at RamblingSpoon...

The Real Adventure in Siem Reap

The beautiful Angkor Wat

As I’ve always mentioned, being adventurous is one of some key points I look for in my trips. Believe it or not, Siem Reap is exactly what I’m looking for. Now, let me dress up in my “Indiana Jones” costume and join “Lara Croft” in Angkor Wat! To ring some bells, some scenes in Tomb Raider 2 were shot here in Angkor Wat… The very famous temple is the major attraction of Siem Reap. It was built in the 12th Century and since then, it became a tourist attraction so significant that the monument itself is featured on the Cambodia flag! From afar, Angkor Wat stands firm and grand. As you get nearer, you will see a lot of well-carved sculptures and figures on its brick walls. There is also one part of the building where a huge tree grew on (and still growing…!)

Lara Croft wuz there!

Watermelons anyone?

Another major attraction is the Tonle Sap Lake. This lake can be considered as the ‘heart’ and the water is like the 'blood' of Siem Reap! Most probably, it is one of the main sources of protein and water for Cambodians. Fishermen and their family members live in floating houses by the lake side (and even in the middle part of the lake) to survive and earn livings. The ‘magic’ of this river is that it changes directions of flow twice a year. During the dry season, the lake drains water into Mekong River and during the rainy season, it would form an enormous lake! The magic of nature… Yeah!!!

A fisherman and his son in Tonle Sap Lake

The side view of Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda

Do not miss out the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda too! Why?! Basically, it's because of the structure of this two buildings. The design of this buildings features the classic Khmer architecture, so defined that it is separated into various parts and layouts like the throne hall, stupas, defensive wall, mural paintings and towering spires. For your information, the throne hall of Royal Palace is still in use now for religious and royal purposes.

Can’t wait any longer for Siem Reap?! Pack your bags for some real adventures!!! But before that, don’t forget the tickets and travel packages HERE.