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Phnom Penh Walking Street: Food
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items When the neon lights glow and smoke rises over Phnom Penh’s riverside, the walking street transforms into a festival of food.
Sections
3
Childhood Favorites
Khmer Traditional Snacks
Adventurous Type
Childhood Favorites
For me, as a Cambodian American, these are the flavors of my childhood, but they taste completely different here in Cambodia.
These are usually called Twa Ko or Beef Sausages, but can range from very sour to lightly sour and sweet. In America, it's very sour, but in Cambodia, it can be more sweet.
Cambodian Beef Sausage
Back in America, we dipped leek pancakes in soy sauce or even sriracha for extra heat. In Phnom Penh, they come out of the pan crispy and salty, but here they’re always paired with sweet fish sauce. That switch in flavor is a bit sweater and strong i...
Nom Ka Chai (Chive Cakes)
2
Mee Krola was hard to find in the U.S., but here it’s usually found in Battambang, but I found it at the Phnom Penh weekend walking street. The noodles are tossed with peanuts, pickled vegetables, and the sauce has a sweet tang unique to Cambodia. Co...
Mee Kola Noodles
In the States, I usually saw Bai Kadang (scorched rice) served more like a plain rice cake and serves with a bit of caramel. In Phnom Penh, it’s a whole different experience. Here, it’s packed with flavor, layered with fish sauce, flossy pork, and a ...
Cambodian crispy rice with pork floss
In the States, iced coffee was a chain-store thing. Here, it’s strong, sweet, and can be less than a dollar.
Khmer Coffee (cafe dtako cap)
In America, sugarcane juice a rare treat. Here, calamansi adds tang and brightness that makes it the ultimate street-side refreshment. You can find these drink everywhere freshly squeezed, just be careful of bees, they like it too!
Sugar Cane Juice (add calamansi)
Khmer Traditional Snacks
These are the local snacks that tourists are introduced to and is familiar to the food back in the states.
I grew up with lemongrass marinades at family barbecues, but here they’re smoky, charred, and bursting with aroma on the street.
Khmer Grilled Lemongrass Beef Stick
Chewy comfort food back home, but here they’re stir-fried in hot woks with garlic and chives, full of smoky wok flavor.
Lort Cha (Cambodian Pin Noodles) Stir Fry
At potlucks in America, it leaned Thai-style. In Cambodia, it’s fiery, funky, and savory, with chili, lime juice, and prahok (fermented fish) or fish sauce that pack a punch.
Cambodian Bok Lahong (Green Papaya Salad)
In the U.S., we made these with the long bananas. On the street of Phnom Penh, they’re hot, crispy, and perfectly sweet with the egg bananas in the humid night air.
Chuối Chiên (Fried Banana)
Similar to banh mi, but distinct. Pickled veggies, pork, and herbs in a crunchy baguette. It's part of the French that we kept, but keep in mind that pate means the bologna meat and not the liver paste in Khmer.
Cambodian Num Pang
In the U.S., kuy teav was usually a weekend breakfast made at home. But in Phnom Penh, you can find steaming bowls served with lime, herbs, and a side of chili. The broth here is lighter but more fragrant, and the fresh herbs give it a brightness I n...
Phnom Penh Noodle Soup
A street snack I never grew up with, but now it’s one of my favorites. Squid skewers are brushed with chili, lime, and fish sauce as they grill, making them chewy, smoky, and just spicy enough. Perfect with a cold sugarcane juice.
Grilled Squid
In the U.S., shaved ice was a summer fair treat of bright syrups poured over crushed ice. In Cambodia, it’s on another level. Street vendors pile shaved ice high into a bowl, then add sweet beans, jellies, palm seeds, condensed milk, and sometimes ev...
Cambodian Shaved Ice
Adventurous Type
Are you daring enough to try these local delicacies?
A bold street snack I never grew up with. Eaten with herbs and lime, it’s considered a Cambodian energy food. It's also known as the Cambodian version of Balut, but we eat it with pickled garlic and its pretty yummy! just ask for the very young ones ...
Pong Dtea Khon (Fertilized Duck Eggs)
A local delicacy I never had in the States. Filled with herbs, pork, and spices, then grilled until crispy. It tastes like a mix of fish and chicken, very tender and surprisingly delicious.
Stuffed Frogs
Crickets, grasshoppers, silkworms — they’re everywhere along the riverfront, sold like popcorn. And honestly? Crickets taste just like it: crunchy, salty, and light. It’s one of those snacks locals grow up with, and visitors never forget. If you’d li...
Deep Fried Bugs!