The Cambodia dishes to try first
7 dishes anchor this guide. They are the names you are most likely to see on a menu, and the ones worth ordering before you start improvising. Each card links to a full page with place, price band and dietary detail.
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01
Fish amok
Steamed fish curry in coconut milk, served in a banana leaf.
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02
Lok lak
Stir-fried beef with pepper and a lime dipping sauce.
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03
Kuy teav
Rice-noodle soup with pork or beef and herbs.
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04
Num pang
Crusty baguette sandwich with pork, pate and pickles.
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05
Samlor kako
Vegetable soup with pumpkin, green beans and toasted rice, a Khmer home staple.
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06
Nom banh chok
Rice noodles with a light fish and lemongrass gravy, topped with fresh herbs.
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07
Kralan
Sticky rice with coconut and beans, baked in bamboo.
Bakery and street staples
Bakery items are where a food culture shows its daily habits: what people grab on the way to work, what fills the gap between meals, and what costs almost nothing. The Cambodia index lists 2 items in this group.
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01
Num kong
Crusty baguette sold at markets, the base of num pang.
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02
Num ansom
Sticky rice cake wrapped in banana leaf, sweet or savoury.
Coffee in Cambodia
Coffee is not a footnote in most food guides, and it is not one here. The 2 indexed coffees are tagged 1 served cold and 1 espresso. Use the cards to tell an espresso-style order from a manual brew or a milk-heavy drink.
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01
Iced coffee with milk
Strong coffee poured over ice with condensed milk.
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02
Espresso
Italian-style coffee in Phnom Penh cafes.
Other drinks worth ordering
Beyond coffee, the index tracks 2 drinks for Cambodia, tagged 1 juice and 1 tea. These are the cold drinks, teas, juices and sweet options that show up on the same menus.
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01
Sugarcane juice
Pressed cane with lime, sold at roadside stalls.
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02
Iced tea
Lightly sweetened tea served over ice.
Where to eat in Cambodia
Our data ties dishes and bakery items to 1 place: Phnom Penh. That does not mean a dish is unavailable elsewhere, but it gives you a starting point when you want the version a local would recognise.
- Nationwide
- Phnom Penh
Vegetarian, halal and pork at a glance
Dietary tags describe the dish as indexed, not a guarantee about every kitchen. Of the 13 Cambodia items we track, 4 are tagged vegetarian, 0 carry a halal tag, 2 are tagged pork and 2 are tagged seafood.
Vegetarian tags can still include fish sauce, anchovy stock, lard or shared fryers. Halal tags are not certifications. If either matters to you, use the dedicated guides and ask the venue directly.
What food costs in Cambodia
Price bands are planning estimates in US dollars, not live menu prices. They are most useful for comparing one destination with another and for deciding where to spend.
| Band | Typical range | Items | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | usually under US$8 | 10 | Kuy teav, Num pang, Samlor kako |
| Mid-range | roughly US$8–20 | 3 | Fish amok, Lok lak, Espresso |
| Premium | usually US$20 and up | 0 | — |
More food guides in Southeast Asia
Compare Cambodia with its neighbours, or open the drinks guide for a coffee-first view of the region.
Cambodia food: common questions
What food is Cambodia known for?
Fish amok, Lok lak, Kuy teav and Num pang are the dishes most strongly represented in our Cambodia index. Each has a dedicated page with its description, typical price band and the place it is linked to.
Is Cambodia food vegetarian friendly?
Yes, there are options: 4 of the 13 indexed items are tagged vegetarian. They include Samlor kako, Kralan, Num kong and Num ansom. Ask about stock, fish sauce and cooking fats if you need to be strict.
Can I find halal food in Cambodia?
No Cambodia item in our index carries a halal tag. Look for dedicated halal venues and ask about meat source, alcohol and shared fryers rather than relying on the dish name alone.
How much does food cost in Cambodia?
Most indexed items are in the budget band (10 items). 3 are mid-range and 0 are premium. Street stalls and bakeries sit at the low end; sit-down restaurants and hotel dining push prices up.
What should I drink in Cambodia?
Iced coffee with milk, Espresso, Sugarcane juice and Iced tea are the drinks we index most often. The drinks guide separates coffee from everyday non-alcoholic options, so you can order without guessing.
TasteBridge indexes 13 Cambodia items from public menu and food-culture sources. Price bands are planning estimates, not live menu prices. Last reviewed 2026-11-06.