The Top 10 Best Phnom Penh Street Foods

1. Overview

Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh, is not only famous for its massive Buddhist architecture but also known for its rich cuisine. This place is home to countless street eateries and night markets. The best street food in Phnom Penh has become a longstanding cultural feature. The meal comes to life when portable plastic tables and chairs are displayed on the sidewalks of the capital because of the rustic food stalls that contain bold and unforgettable flavors.

If you are visiting Phnom Penh, then you should enjoy the best Khmer food in Phnom Penh’s street food. Let’s discover the attractive dishes in Phnom Penh and the famous culinary addresses that visitors cannot miss in the article below!

2. The Top 10 Best Phnom Penh Street Foods

2.1. Nom banh chok

This is a rustic street food, a dish considered the “national real” of Cambodia, and the most popular dish in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. When you come here, you will often encounter street vendors selling a certain dish, which is Nom Banh Chok, Cambodian-style rice noodles.

The light poles on one side are filled with delicious curry broth rich in flavor and color, along with baskets of fresh vegetables. Besides, the seller will also prepare noodles that have been blanched in boiling water. When eating, you will put rice noodles in the bowl first, then add toppings such as cowpeas, thinly sliced papaya, bean sprouts, banana flowers, meat, shrimp, etc., then pour the broth over. The delicious, greasy taste will surely make you remember it forever.

• Suggested places for you to enjoy Nom Banh Chok: Russian Market, Road 440, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
• Price: 1 USD–2.5 USD/bowl.

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2.2. Num Plae Ai

Num Plae Ai, or Cambodian rice cake, is a popular dessert in Cambodia. This type of cake is quite similar to Vietnamese floating cakes. Num Plae Ai is made from finely milled rice, then molded into balls with sugar and soaked in palm sugar.

This dish is not only delicious and attractive, but also has a beautiful color. When presented on a plate, diners will see behind the greasy coconut fibers covered with a cake made from rice flour that is flexible, smooth, and has many beautiful colors. Just take a bite; the softness and smoothness of the crust combined with the sweet aroma of the cake will make diners want to eat more. Visitors can find and taste this dish easily at any street food stall in Phnom Penh.

• Suggested places for you to enjoy Num Plae Ai: Orussey Market, Phnom Penh; or Road 258 and Sisowath Quay, Phnom Penh.
• Price: from 0.5 USD 

2.3. Bai Sach Chrouk

Bai Sach Chuk is the name of the dish made from grilled pork and served with rice. This is a very famous street food in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. You can enjoy this dish at the corner of 13th and 100th streets in Phnom Penh, opposite the Post Office, or at street 19. Vendors will marinate pork with coconut milk and garlic, then grill it over charcoal. Grilled meat and rice are served with a fried egg, cucumber, and chili. Locals and tourists especially come here to enjoy this dish. The reference price is about 1 USD.

2.4. Mi char

Mi char, or Khmer fried noodles, is a popular Phnom Penh street food. Vendors here use a variety of noodles to stir-fry: instant noodles, yellow egg noodles, rice noodles, etc. Noodles are stir-fried with soy sauce or fish sauce for a bold flavor. Next, we will add ingredients such as beef and green vegetables, accompanied by fried eggs. Phnom Penh has a wide variety of fried noodle stalls, with the best shops located on the corner of Street 135 and Street 450 near Russian Market, for as little as 1 USD per piece.

2.5. Num Sang Khya l‘peou

Num Sang Khya l‘peou is a unique dish made from pumpkins. After removing the seeds, the processor will fill the intestines with egg whites, jaggery, and coconut milk. After that, the pumpkin pieces will be steamed for about 30 minutes. When finished, the dish will be sliced into separate layers of color. You will feel the soft, sweet, and spongy taste of eggs, pumpkin, and coconut milk when enjoying the dish. Suggested places for you to enjoy Num Sang Khya l‘peou: Orussey Market, Road 182, Phnom Penh.

2.6. Num Pang

Num Pang sandwich is a dish of French origin that is one of the most popular and typical street foods in Cambodia. Bread with a crispy outer layer that is easy to melt in the mouth has an attractive taste. This delicious dish of Phnom Penh attracts visitors because it has a distinct aroma unlike other places. The filling of the cake is sandwiched with grilled meat, herbs, and slices of papaya or fruit. In particular, the bread is covered with a special sauce that makes the grilled meat in the bread flavorful. Suggested places for you to enjoy Num Pang: Kandal Market, Street 5, Phnom Penh; or Street 380, Phnom Penh.

2.7. Amok

Amok is a typical dish of Khmer cuisine and an attractive dish that visitors should enjoy. Amok is made from prohok fish sauce, coconut water, and jaggery. Then wrapped in banana leaves, steamed, and ready to serve diners. Amok specialties are usually made from many different types of fish or chicken, but the most delicious is catfish or snakehead fish. When enjoying the amok dish, visitors can use it with dipping sauce or eat it without because it is seasoned to taste. Suggested places for you to enjoy Amok: Orussey Market, Phnom Penh.

2.8. Ngeav Chamboy

Ngeav Chamboy is actually a steamed scallop with lemongrass, chili, lime leaves, and shiitake. Steamed clams with lemongrass and lemongrass Ngeav Chamboy is a familiar street food sold by street vendors in Phnom Penh. If you visit Phnom Penh at night with friends, you should not miss the opportunity to immediately enjoy a plate of hot oysters with a glass of cool beer. Just chatting with friends and raking this tropical specialty will give visitors an extremely interesting experience! Suggested places for you to enjoy Ngeav Chamboy: Orussey Market, Phnom Penh

2.9. Kralan (Bamboo sticky rice)

Kralan is a special street food in Phnom Penh, cooked on bamboo sticks and grilled on fire. Rice is usually cooked with a mixture of beans, grated coconut, and coconut milk. It’s crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. This is one of Phnom Penh’s most famous street vegetarian dishes. The rice used to make this dish is a special, fragrant glutinous rice from the rice fields of Battambang and Kratie provinces. Price: 0.49 USD–0.97 USD/tube.

2.10. Yakitori

Yakitori is chicken skewers and is also the top favorite street food in Phnom Penh. Phnom Penh’s stall on Street 123 is famous for its delicious Yakitori Roasted Chicken, which is only sold during dinner time. The skewers are available with options of chicken thighs, hearts, vegetables, mushrooms, eggplant, and cheese. Besides skewers, the restaurant also serves many other dishes such as chicken, rice, fries, and salad throughout the day. The price of meat skewers is about 0.49 USD per stick. Suggested places for you to enjoy Yakitori: 52 Street 123, Phnom Penh

2.11. Cambodian Fried Doughnuts 

Cambodian fried doughnuts, known as “Noum Kong” in Khmer, are a beloved street food that have captivated locals and visitors for generations. Noum Kong fried doughnuts are an integral part of the Cambodian street food scene, sold by street vendors on carts and stalls in bustling markets and along busy streets. The aroma of freshly fried doughnuts, coated with palm sugar and sprinkled with sesame seeds, wafts through the air. 

• You can enjoy Cambodian Fried Doughnuts at the following locations: 

– Mony Charkvai Asian Doughnuts: Oknha Suor Srun St. (7), Phnom Penh, Cambodia 

– Krispy Kreme – Beung Keng Kang at Rue Pasteur No. 51 Phnom Penh, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

• Reference price: from 0.24 USD – 0.73 USD/doughnut. 

2.12. A-Ping (Deep-fried Spider) 

You will be surprised to see local fried insects on the street, but they are part of their street food. A-Ping, deep-fried spider, is a typical example. Other versions of this dish are silkworms, cockroaches, crickets, grasshoppers, beetles, etc.  

• You can enjoy deep – fried spiders at the Market or Street Food Carts, or you can try them at some of the following suggested places: 

– Chanh xanh 

Address: 19 No. 42, Street 19z (Off Street 19, Near the National Museum), Phnom Penh, Cambodia 

Open: 6:00 a.m – 22:00 p.m 

– Romdeng 

Address: 74 Street 174, Phnom Penh, Cambodia 

Open: 10:00 a.m – 22:00 p.m 

• Reference price: about 5 USD – 10 USD. 

2.13. Ang Dtray Meuk (Grilled Squid) 

If you are looking for delicious seafood with impressive size, grilled squid (Cambodian name is Ang Dtray Meuk) is an attractive Cambodian street food you should try. Fresh giant squid is marinated, grilled to perfection and served with chili sauce.  The sweetness of the seafood and the spiciness of the sauce will please your taste buds. It is not difficult to find grilled street food in Cambodia. Street vendors with carts often appear on crowded streets and markets, or some suggested locations below: 

– 18 Rik Reay BBQ 

• Address: Address: 1-3, 5 Street 108, Phnom Penh, Cambodia 
• Open: all day 

– Jumak 

• Address: 11c St 470, Phnom Penh, Cambodia 
• Open: 17:00 p.m – 23:00 p.m 

– Reference price: 10 USD 

2.14. Nom Ka Chai (Chive Cake) 

Like all Cambodian street food, you can find Nom Ka Chai or Chive Cake on mobile carts or from small street vendors.  Nom Ka Chai is a great combination of crispy outer shell and soft inner filling, making this dish quite interesting to bite. Dip it in sweet and spicy fish sauce to create an attractive flavor.  You can enjoy this dish at the market, Food Street, local eateries, etc., with reasonable prices and unique flavors. Suggested addresses to eat delicious cakes in Phnom Penh: 

• Sam Too Pochentong: No. H5-H6 Russian Federation Avenue, Sangkat Kakab, Khan Posenchey, Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Open: 7:00 a.m – 14:00 p.m 
• Toul Tom Poung Market (Russian Market): Street 155, Toul Tum Poung 1 Commune, Chamkar Mon District, Phnom Penh, Cambodia. 

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2.15. Skewered scorpions 

Skewed scorpions are another Cambodian street food that requires courage to taste and swallow.  You can easily find this snack on the streets, especially near tourist attractions. If you are not afraid of challenging yourself, try a scorpion stick on your next trip to Cambodia. 

• You can enjoy this dish at street stalls around tourist attractions and from stalls on the streets along the river in the capital Phnom Penh. 
• Reference price: from 1 USD/stick.

2.16.Twa Ko (Cambodian Sausage) 

One of the typical images of the local market in Phnom Penh is the Twa Ko sausage hanging on the food cart. The sausage is skewered or shaped like a small ball. It is made from half pork and half fat, and its taste is quite sweet because the locals add palm sugar to it. The red color on the outside, the sweetness on the inside and the greasy feeling make the sausage attractive in its own way. You can enjoy Cambodian sausages on the streets, night markets, or at Malis Cambodian Restaurant 

• Address: 136 Norodom Boulevard, Phnom Penh, Cambodia 
• Open: 6:30 a.m – 22:30 p.m 
• Reference price: 0.15 USD – 1 USD 

2.17. Yaohon (Cambodian Hot Pot) 

Yaohon or Cambodian hot pot is a special dish for ceremonies or family gatherings, but it is also a popular dish that you can find on the streets. In particular, the broth of yaohon is made from a mixture of coconut milk, chicken broth, barbecue sauce, fish sauce, soy sauce, kaffir lime leaves, lemongrass and palm sugar. Typical vegetables include watercress, spinach and bok choy, while meat and seafood options often include beef, chicken, shrimp, squid, oysters and mussels.  There are also crushed peanuts, quail eggs, mushrooms… Chhnang Plerng is another version of this hot pot with butter broth and herbal sauce. Some suggested places to enjoy delicious Yaohon: 

– Little Sheep Hot Pot 

• Address: 50 Samdach Pan Ave, Phnom Penh Cambodia. 
• Open: 11:00 a.m – 22:00 p.m

– Lao Bao Hot Pot: 

• Address: 251 Preah Trasak Paem St. (63), Phnom Penh, Cambodia. 
• Open: 11:00a.m – 24:00 p.m 

– Himonoya: 

• Address: 302 Preah Trasak Paem St. (63), Phnom Penh, Cambodia. 
• Open: 11:00 a.m – 15:00 p.m;  17:00 p.m – 2:00 a.m 

2.18. Kdam chaa – fried crab 

Kdam chaa or Fried crab is a specialty of Kep town, Cambodia. The famous crab market in the town is known for its fried crab with Kampot green pepper. Fried crab with green pepper is an eye-catching and equally delicious dish made from crab in the shell with Kampot pepper and spices such as sesame oil, garlic, onion, lemongrass, cornstarch, etc. In addition, there is a sauce made from fish sauce, ginger and oyster sauce, etc. 

• Here are some addresses selling fried crab in Phnom Penh: 

– Ngon Restaurant: #60, Preah Sihanouk Boulevard Tonle Bassac Quarter, Chamkarmon District, Phnom Penh Cambodia. Open: 7:00 a.m – 22:00 p.m 

– Bonchon BKK: Street 306, Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Open: 9:00 a.m – 21:00 p.m 

– Kuang Seafood Cambodia: Samdach Louis Em St. (282), Phnom Penh, Cambodia.  Open: 11:00 a.m – 23:00 p.m. 

• Reference price: about 45 USD/kg. 

2.19.Khmer beef salad 

Khmer beef salad (Lap Khmer) is a Cambodian specialty that is quite easy to eat. The full, sour, spicy, salty, sweet flavor of the dish is a harmonious combination of beef, fish sauce, lime juice, herbs, lemongrass, chili and spices. The beef used to mix the salad is often carefully selected and rare by steaming, boiling or grilling on charcoal, when eaten, you can feel the freshness and juiciness. Suggested places to enjoy:

– ST 63 BASSAK Restaurant 

• Address: No. 2, Street 308, Phnom Penh, Cambodia 
• Open: 11:00 a.m – 11:00 p.m 
• Reference price: 3 USD – 16 USD 

2.20. Phnom Penh-style noodle soup

Kuy teav is a noodle dish in Cambodia, also a popular breakfast dish of the people here, often sold in street vendors. The broth of this dish is cooked from beef or pork bones, flavored with fried shallots, green onions, garlic and bean sprouts. Pork or beef meatballs are a popular “topping”, added to the bowl of noodles before serving. 

• Suggested places to enjoy Phnom Penh-style noodle soup: 

– Chet Kuy Teav Vanda (183): Street 183, Phnom Penh, Cambodia. 

– Orussey Market: Oknha Tep Phan St.  (182), Phnom Penh, Cambodia 

• Reference price: from 3 USD/bowl.

2.21. Cha houy teuk – jelly sweet soup

Cha houy teuk is a dish in Cambodian cuisine with an extremely rich flavor, outstanding with beautiful colors and delicious flavors. This sweer soup is made from the main ingredients: sagu palm powder, seaweed, green beans, coconut cream, jackfruit, taro, red beans… along with ice. But the most prominent thing in the bowl is the jelly pieces – a binder derived from seaweed so it is very safe for health, and has many different colors such as red, green, yellow, pink, etc.

• Tourists can easily find this dish when walking on the streets because it is popularly sold at sidewalk stalls and near schools in Phnom Penh.
• Price: About 0.2 USD/bowl.

2.22.Red ants stir-fried with beef

Cambodia is famous for street foods made from insects.  One of the most attractive insect specialties of the land of pagodas is stir-fried red ants with beef. The highlight of this dish is red ants – a type of ant caught from ant nests on tall trees, used to marinate with spices, herbs and thinly sliced ​​fresh beef for stir-frying. Depending on the taste and eating preferences of each diner, the cook will stir-fry the beef rare or well done. 

– You can enjoy this dish at Banteay Srey – Restaurant 

• Address: 225 Eo Street 13, Phnom Penh, Cambodia 
• Open: 11:00 a.m – 14:30 p.m; 18:00 p.m – 21:00 p.m 
• Reference price: 5 USD/plate. 

2.23.Deep-fried bananas (Cambodian fried bananas) 

Fried bananas are a popular street food in Cambodia, loved by many people for their delicious flavor, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.  This dish is often sold in night markets, food courts or small roadside eateries and restaurants in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. 

• Price range: 0.24 USD – 0.4 USD/piece. 

2.24. Samlor kako 

Samlor kako is considered one of the national dishes of Cambodia. Samlor kako includes green kroeung, prahok, roasted rice, catfish, pork or chicken, vegetables, fruits and herbs. In Khmer, “samlor” means soup, and “kako” means to mix or stir. The dish is cooked over low heat until it becomes soft into a soup, with the ultimate blend of fresh vegetables and a unique and irresistible preparation method.  Suggested address for Samlor karo: 

• SaMaKy Restaurant & Lounge: 9E0 Street 51, corner 278 West of Wat Langka, Phnom Penh. 
• Reference price: about 4 USD/portion. 

2.25. Nhoam Krauch Thlong (Grapefruit Salad with Shrimp) 

Another highlight of Khmer cuisine is the grapefruit salad (Nhoam Krauch Thlong). Cambodian grapefruit flower salad is usually made from fresh, crispy grapefruit flowers, combined with other fresh ingredients such as fresh shrimp, dried shrimp, pork belly, roasted peanuts, toasted coconut, herbs and a special sauce. The flavors of this dish are very harmonious, sour, sweet, salty and spicy, creating an unforgettable culinary experience. 

You can easily find grapefruit flower salad at local markets (Toul Tom Poung Market, Orussey Market, etc); Food streets such as Street 178;  Restaurants specializing in Cambodian cuisine: 

– Element – Vegetarian 

• Address: #51A Street 306, BKK1 Phnom Penh, Cambodia 
• Opening hours: 11:30 a.m -13:30 p.m, 18:00 p.m -21:30 a.m, except Sunday 

• Reference price: from 6 USD

3. Famous places to discover Phnom Penh street food

Some places you cannot miss when experiencing Phnom Penh street food:

3.1. Markets in Phnom Penh:

It can be said that Cambodian food is encapsulated in the famous market in Phnom Penh. Just going to the beginning of the market, you will feel your stomach rumbling right away from the smell of delicious food being fried on the blazing red stoves. It can be said that visiting Phnom Penh markets and tasting the specialties here is an unforgettable experience for many tourists. On the other hand, you can find the best food with prices starting at just 50 cents. Famous markets for Phnom Penh street food include the Central Market in Phnom Penh, the Russian Market, the Phnom Penh Night Market, Orussey Market, etc.

3.2. Street 123

Street 123 is one of the biggest street food centers in Phnom Penh. Unlike other places, the vendors here are enthusiastic about everything related to skewers, especially the yakitori skewers. However, there’s one thing you shouldn’t forget: grilled chicken skewers are only available at night, while other dining options may be open throughout the day.

4. Conclusion

Above are the top 25 most famous dishes that make Phnom Penh street food great that Metta Voyage shares and hope you will have the most unique street food experience when coming here. For any information or questions about the trip, you can contact us directly.

5. Contact us

Website: www.mettavoyage.com

Email: [email protected]

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