With food carts offering a plethora of tasty street foodsoccupying every corner, Phnom Penh is an excellent destination for food lovers wishing to enjoy a culinary adventure. Here we take a look at the city's must-try items that are sure to get your taste buds tingling!

Fish amok

Travelers must try this authentic Khmer street food at least somewhere in Cambodia. The renowned snack is prepared by cooking fish moose with coconut curry in banana leaves. In order to build layers of flavor, a wide selection of spices such as lemongrass, kaffir lime and turmeric root are added. Although fish amok can also be found in neighboring countries, one unique feature of Cambodian fish amok is the use of the local herb slok ngor, which adds a distinct and bitter flavor to the dish.

Grilled pork on skewers

Drawn by the mouth-watering aromas of this snack, travelers can easily spot portable carts with grilled pork on skewers everywhere in Phnom Penh. Usually there are two kinds of skewers, one served with pickle salad with piles of veggies together with rice, and another loaded with herbs and condiments. The former is a prominent breakfast that gives locals a boost of energy for the day, while the latter is a popular on-the-go snack. Try both for a complete experience of a Cambodian BBQ. 

Lok lak

This classic Southeast Asian treat has its roots in Vietnam. However, once lok lak landed in Cambodia, it became overwhelmingly popular. One possible reason is the juicy beef – a favourite local meat – that comes in colossal portions. This stir fried meat is typically topped with a salad of sweet tomato, crispy lettuce, raw cucumber and fresh onion, all served seasoned with lime juice and black pepper. Travellers can opt for the traditional way of eating – wrapped up in a lettuce leaf in the way of classic Cambodian culture.

Balut

Balut refers to the fertilized embryo of a duck. This snack can be found in neighboring Southeast Asian countries like the Philippines and Vietnam, but the one in Cambodia is kept simple: instead of being covered with a wide selection of herbs and condiments, only a little ganish is served alongside the duck egg. It is an all time favorite of local Cambodians as it is nutritious and rich in protein.

Steamed pork bun

Whenever travellers come across a moving cart with a steamer, it is time for a steamed pork bun! The hard-boiled bun stuffed with eggs and pork encapsulates the traditional taste of Cambodia without adding any twist to the ingredients or unnecessary condiments. Although travellers always compare it with pork buns in China, the plain taste makes it a more easy-going afternoon snack. Don't forget to remove the paper padding at the bottom before giving it a bite and never leave it go cold!