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Sach Kror, a Siem Reap delicassy (pork sausages)
Samlor Bankea
Palm sugar, another Siem Reap specialty, excellent for caramel
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Cambodians' diet is based on
seafood and freshwater fishes and crustaceans. From Angkor times to
present days, the fertile plain of the Tonle Sap, the Great Freshwater
Lake of Cambodia, has provided fishes for fine cuisine. We eat fish, we
love dried fish and steamed rice, fish sauce and fish paste (Prahoc)
and steamed rice. We have put up a list of traditional dishes that any
visitor ought to try. Siem Reap is famous for its dried red sausages (Sach
Kror) and its white fish paste (Prahoc Sor).
Eat plenty with rice during your stay.
Appetizers Nataing - Crispy rice with pork and coconut milk Nyoam Lehong - Green papaya salad Sach Ko Ang Kroeung - Beef skewers with lemongrass paste
Main Khdam Cha - Stir fried crab Kouy Teav - Phnom Penh noodle soup (beef, chicken, pork shrimps) Kouyv Teav Cha - Khmer stir fried noodles Ban Chaev - Pancakes (pork and shrimps) Moan Ang - Khmer grilled chicken Moan Cha Khnyei - Stir fried ginger chicken Sach Ko Loc Lac - Beef Loc Lac (marinated with lime sauce) Samlor Machoo Kreugn - Khmer lemongrass soup Samlor Machou Mouan - Khmer chicken soup with tomatoes Saraman - Braised beef curry with peanuts Trey Ang - Grilled fish (more than 40 freshwater and marine varieties of fish)
Chek Ktih - Bananas in sweet coconut milk Nom Norsorm Chek - Glutinous rice and banana wrap Nom Kroap Kanau - Sweet mung bean rolls Vaoye - Golden angel hair
Fruits Chek Namva - Namva banana Chek Pong Moan - Egg banana Svay - Mango Turain - Durion
Vegetables Traop - Eggplant Marech - Bitter melon Mteh - Chili Tralach - Winter melon Samdech bandos - Bean sprout
Drinks Angkor Beer - Local brew (good stuff!) Bayon Beer - Local brew (cheaper stuff) Taei - Tea
The city is so touristy, it even becomes hard for Cambodians to find places where they won't chop you up alive (Kap Chaeuv), a Khmer expression which means "rip you off", "empty your pockets while you are eating". Our friends from Phnom Penh always complain when they come up here. People like American dollars in Siem Reap, the most expensive city in Cambodia, but still affordable by international standards. Cart drivers (Bor Roteh or foreigners): Above US $12.00 a meal Expensive: Between US $8.00 and US $12.00 a meal Average: Between US $5.00 and US $8.00 a meal Cheap: Below US $5.00 a meal
Several of the hotels we list in our accommodation pages have good to excellent restaurants (Grand Hotel, Sofitel Royal, La Noria, Red Piano). The buffets are good deals if you can stomach lots of food at the five star establishments, while La Noria offers reasonably priced French/Khmer and Western/Asian cuisine. For Khmer stall food, go to Kandal Market, it's usually cleaner than most other areas.
Bayon 389 Quai Sisowath (012) 963 535
Price: Cheap to Average Crowd: mainly local people looking for good food, the occasional busload of tourists Go for: traditional Khmer Food
This restaurant is well known with local people and has a bit of a reputation for traditional Khmer food. Getting more touristy, but still worth a detour. This is my grandma's favorite restaurant in town. Tell them "ort dah bichaign", which means no monosodium glutamate, and they ought to gladly comply.
Carnets d' Asie Boulevard Sivatha, not far from the Old Market (016) 746 701
Price: Average Crowd: local expatriates, local Khmer, the occasional busload of tourists Go for: Khmer and French fusion food
Don't let the pompous and artsy fartsy name put you off, this is actually an elegant and practical restaurant. It sometimes gets crowded with tours (which is annoying when you're trying a romantic evening). Order the food, then stroll off to the local women self-help Nyemo NGO souvenir shop, located at the entrance of the restaurant. There is also an art gallery with unaffordable photographs and paintings.
Blue Pumpkin Phleuv Thnou - Old Market Area (012) 946 227
Price: Average Crowd: trendy expatriates Go for: yummy bites and French bakery washed down with great fruit shakes and juices Cutely prepared finger foods, sandwiches, pitas, salads, pastas and other international munchies. No nonsense service in a relaxed setting (but the cashier on the ground floor has PMS and is starting to get on our nerves). They have expanded like crazy with several outlets all over town. We'll have to keep an eye on quality. Reasonable prices so far. Bistrot de Paris Phleuv Thnou - Old Market Area (092) 964 790
Price: Cheap Crowd: local expatriates Go for: a little corner of Old Paris in this corner of Cambodia
Friendly. Polite. Simple good clean food. Cheap. Excellent location. No colonial nonsense. What else do you need?
Ecole d'Hotellerie et de Tourisme Paul Dubrule National Road 6, on the way to the Western Baray (063) 963 673
Price: Average Crowd: expatriates, tourists Go for: French traditional cuisine
This is a non-profit organisation which trains local kids for jobs in the tourism sector. The best is to combine it with a trip to or from the airport, or to or from the Western Baray, as it is located in the suburbs of town. There is only a lunch menu for US $7 but it is well worth the trip.
Freedom Hotel Restaurant Route 6 near Psar Leu (Central Market) (63) 963 473
Price: Cheap to Average Crowd: tourists, families, hungry people Go for: cheap and authentic cuisine
The restaurant is located right outside the hotel. Avoid the western food, and order Khmer food aplenty. The portions are big, except if you are some giant westerner. Prices are very reasonable, including cheap beers.
In Touch South end corner of "Pub street", near the Old Market
Price: Average Crowd: local expatriates, families, friends, dates Go for: trendy and bright place, friendly faces, live music
When this establishment first opened, it had some great drinks at reasonable prices. Hmmm, since then, the prices have gone up for the drinks, but the food is still reasonable. A mix of Khmer and Thai dishes, some live band (usually better when they just play instruments and avoid vocals). Skip the western dishes, they're a bit heavy. Friendly and helpful staff (much more than the tourist trap opposite).
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