Food · Phnom Penh · Cambodia
What to eat in Phnom Penh
The dishes, drinks and food experiences that define Phnom Penh, and where locals actually eat them.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Looppty, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Start with Phnom Penh noodle soup, Khmer rice noodles with fish curry and Grilled pork and broken rice. The food courts of the Russian Market and Central Market serve kuy teav, num banh chok and iced coffee to locals from early morning; point and share a table. Most restaurants price in US dollars; markets and street stalls often price in riel.
Key facts
- Signature dish
- Phnom Penh noodle soup
- Vegetarian-friendly picks
- 2
- Tipping
- Tipping is not expected in local eateries but is appreciated in restaurants catering to…
- Food experiences
- 4
10 foods to try
Breakfast
1.Phnom Penh noodle soup (Kuy teav Phnom Penh)
Rice noodles in a clear pork-bone broth topped with minced pork, sliced meats, shrimp or offal, crispy garlic and herbs, with lime and chilli on the side. The city's version is the national breakfast standard.
Where: Market food courts such as the Russian Market and noodle shops across the city, mostly in the morning.
Breakfast
2.Khmer rice noodles with fish curry (Num banh chok)
Fermented fresh rice noodles under a fragrant fish broth flavoured with lemongrass and turmeric, topped with shredded banana blossom, cucumber and mint.
Where: Market stalls and street vendors in the morning, especially around Toul Tom Poung.
Breakfast
3.Grilled pork and broken rice (Bai sach chrouk)
Garlic and coconut-marinated pork grilled slowly over charcoal, served on broken rice with pickled cucumber and daikon and a cup of broth.
Where: Street-side grills across the city from early morning.
Street food
4.Stir-fried short noodles (Lort cha)
Short, chunky rice-flour noodles stir-fried with bean sprouts, Chinese chives, beef or pork and a fried egg, with sweet chilli sauce. A cheap afternoon snack.
Where: Mobile carts and market stalls in the afternoon and evening, including at the Russian and Central markets.
Snack
5.Cambodian baguette sandwich (Nom pang)
A crusty baguette filled with pâté, cold cuts or grilled meat, pickled green papaya and carrot, cucumber and chilli sauce, a legacy of French colonial rule.
Where: Bread carts on street corners from early morning, especially near markets.
Dish
6.Fish amok (Amok trey)
Freshwater fish cooked in coconut milk with kroeung spice paste and noni leaves, steamed in a banana-leaf bowl until it has the texture of a light mousse.
Where: Khmer restaurants throughout the centre, from riverside cafés to fine-dining restaurants in BKK1.
Dish
7.Sour soup (Samlor machu)
A family of tangy soups soured with tamarind or other fruit, often with fish, pineapple, tomato and herbs; a common part of a shared Khmer meal with rice.
Where: Local Khmer restaurants where dishes are shared; order it alongside a grilled fish and rice.
Street food
8.Fried insects
Crickets, silkworm pupae and tarantulas fried with garlic, salt and chilli are popular snacks, especially among Cambodians travelling between provinces.
Where: Street vendors near markets and along the riverside in the evening.
Drink · Vegetarian
9.Sugarcane juice (Tuk ampov)
Freshly pressed sugarcane, often with a squeeze of kumquat or lime, poured over ice; very refreshing in the afternoon heat.
Where: Street carts with hand-cranked or motor presses all over the city.
Dessert · Vegetarian
10.Sticky rice with mango
Sweet coconut sticky rice served with ripe mango slices, sold when mangoes are in season around the hot months.
Where: Market dessert stalls and street vendors, especially from about March to May.
Food experiences
Market breakfast
The food courts of the Russian Market and Central Market serve kuy teav, num banh chok and iced coffee to locals from early morning; point and share a table.
Training restaurants
Several restaurants in the centre are run by NGOs that train former street youth in cooking and service, offering good Khmer and international food while supporting the programmes.
Khmer fine dining
A growing number of chef-led restaurants in BKK1 and the Royal Palace area reinterpret Cambodian ingredients such as Kampot pepper, prahok and river fish in tasting menus.
Riverside night snacks
In the evening, carts along and behind Sisowath Quay sell grilled skewers, fried insects, fruit and sugarcane juice.
Quick bites and street food
- Phnom Penh noodle soup — Market food courts such as the Russian Market and noodle shops across the city, mostly in the morning.
- Khmer rice noodles with fish curry — Market stalls and street vendors in the morning, especially around Toul Tom Poung.
- Grilled pork and broken rice — Street-side grills across the city from early morning.
- Stir-fried short noodles — Mobile carts and market stalls in the afternoon and evening, including at the Russian and Central markets.
- Cambodian baguette sandwich — Bread carts on street corners from early morning, especially near markets.
- Fried insects — Street vendors near markets and along the riverside in the evening.
Vegetarian options
Of the 10 foods in this guide, 2 are usually vegetarian: Sugarcane juice and Sticky rice with mango. Check preparation with staff, as stocks and fats vary.
Eating out: tips and etiquette
- Most restaurants price in US dollars; markets and street stalls often price in riel.
- Breakfast is the big noodle meal, and popular stalls sell out by about 9am.
- Shared dishes with rice are the norm in Khmer restaurants; order several to share.
- Ice is usually factory-produced and safe; tap water is not.
- Book ahead for popular BKK1 restaurants on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Tipping
Tipping is not expected in local eateries but is appreciated in restaurants catering to visitors, where a dollar or two or rounding up is normal. Tuk-tuk drivers on a long hire and guides usually receive a few dollars.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Chom reap suor | Hello (polite) |
| Aw kun charan | Thank you very much |
| Tlai ponmaan? | How much? |
| Som kit luy | The bill, please |
| Ot dak mtes | No chilli |
Questions travellers ask
+What food is Phnom Penh famous for?
Phnom Penh noodle soup, Khmer rice noodles with fish curry, Grilled pork and broken rice and Stir-fried short noodles. Rice noodles in a clear pork-bone broth topped with minced pork, sliced meats, shrimp or offal, crispy garlic and herbs, with lime and chilli on the side.
+Is Phnom Penh good for vegetarians?
Several local staples are meat-free, including Sugarcane juice and Sticky rice with mango.
+Do you tip in restaurants in Phnom Penh?
Tipping is not expected in local eateries but is appreciated in restaurants catering to visitors, where a dollar or two or rounding up is normal. Tuk-tuk drivers on a long hire and guides usually receive a few dollars.