Food and Drink in Phnom Penh

Breakfast

When traveling, it is often most convenient to eat in your hotel. If you travel with Asia Highlights then every hotel you stay in will offer a full breakfast with western and local options.

While not every hotel will have the same spread, below are some of the dishes you might find in the morning. In addition to these, you can expect your traditional western fair like eggs, toast, and maybe even a little bacon.

Rice Porridge

Walk around any market (they open at sunrise) and you will quickly find a vendor slopping porridge into cheap throw-away bowls. The porridge itself is standard but the proof is in the condiments. Lime juice, spices, fresh herbs, and pickled vegetables are all offered as toppings.

Kuy Teav

Although you can find it all day, most locals prefer Kuy Teav soup for breakfast. This is your standard pork and noodle soup with a dash of Cambodian condiments. Nourishing and filling, this dish is a great way to start a day with something hearty yet simple.

Kuy Teav has been compared to Vietnamese Pho but anyone who has sampled both will advocate their differences. Toppings include: beef, pork, fried garlic, scallions, and even meatballs so you can try it in many different ways.

Lunch

The standard Cambodian lunch is rice, the staple food, with some meat and vegetables. While there are more delicious dishes to try that deviate from this model, this is the standard lunch fair. You may be tempted to try something more interesting than a simple meal of rice and vegetables but do not shy away from the chance to eat like a local.

You might find yourself thinking, "is this Chinese food?" when looking at the simple meal of rice and vegetables. While Cambodian food has been heavily influenced by Chinese cuisine, you will find that the flavors are very different.

Green Mango Salad

Do not confuse this with Thai Mango Salad, especially not in front of a Phnom Penh local! Cambodians love the mangos that grow regionally, and this salad is made with magnum opus.

Sweet and sour, savory and tangy, crunchy and refreshing - Green Mango Salad has it all. Shaved green mango, fish sauce, lime juice, carrots, peppers, and fresh herbs like mint, make this dish a wild ride of flavors but without a heavy caloric intake to regret later.

During the middle of a hot Cambodian afternoon, a bowl of noodles might sound like a bit too much, so do not forget about this dish.

Try it at Friends' Restaurant. Friends' is a special restaurant that works to benefit local disadvantaged youths by offering them employment. They are also famous for their delicious Khmer style food.

Rice with Vegetables and Meat

Why get fancy with a dish like fried tarantulas or fish Amok (fish curry)? At RomDeng Resturant you can experience both of these options, or you can settle down to a simple lunch of rice with your choice of meat or fish and vegetables.

If you travel with Asia Highlights, our helpful staff can help you order just what you want! RomDeng is the sister restaurant to Friends' and also works to help get street children employment in the restaurant industry.

So no matter wether you are interested in the fancy, the exotic, or just in plain veggies and rice, then Cambodia, and RomDeng in particular, is a good place for you to eat lunch.

Foreign Correspondents Club Phnom Penh

The FCCPP also has a complete lunch and dinner menu, meaning you can stop for coffee and stay for a meal. The building is home to the Foreign Correspondents Club, where international writers can receive a discount on food and drinks while getting the local scuttlebutt.

Location: 363 Sisowath Quay, corner Street 178, near the Royal Palace

Daughters of Cambodia - Visitor Center Cafe

Daughters of Cambodia is an organization that helps disadvantaged Cambodian women. A portion of all of the cafe's profits go to this cause. In addition to being in a place where you can learn more about these issues and daily life in Cambodia, the DoC Cafe has an excellent food and drink menu.

The coffee is a selling point, but they also have daily and seasonal specials to keep things interesting. If you are not looking for caffeine, their crumbled chicken is a big hit.

Location: 321 Sisowath Quay, The Riverside, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

The Central Market and Night Market

Both the Central and Night Markets are hotbeds for fresh fruit. What comes with fresh fruit? Fruit juice and smoothies! Walk around any market in Cambodia and you will find a local vendor pressing fruit with large metal machines.

Simply point to the fruit and the size you want and the pressing will begin.

Backyard Cafe

If you prefer a smoothie to juice, or if you prefer to be in a shop while ordering and not in a crowded market, then head to Backyard Cafe. Backyard is arguably the most famous smoothie shop in the entire city.

They use the freshest ingredients and the size of their menu ensures that even the pickiest customer will leave satisfied.

Location: House 11b, Street 246, Phnom Penh, Cambodia