The Hungry Traveller: Food Adventures in Cambodia

A taste of Khmer flavours

Cambodia’s culinary heritage is one of Southeast Asia’s best-kept treasures. With roots stretching back centuries, Khmer cuisine tells a story of creativity and flavour. This cuisine predates many of its regional counterparts, and retains its unique voice through dishes such as fish amok and kuy teav. Khmer cooking brings together the balance of sweet, sour, salty and bitter in subtle harmony.

For the hungry traveller, Cambodia offers delicious culinary adventures through cooking classes and innovative food tours. It’s a chance to connect with local chefs, stir fragrant pastes and wander through bustling markets and tasting local delicacies.

Let’s first learn about the roots of Khmer cuisine and then take a look at food adventures on offer in Phnom Penh and Siam Reap.

What is Khmer cuisine and what makes it unique?

Khmer cuisine is built on balance and nuance. Unlike the fiery heat of Thai dishes or the bold fermentation of Vietnamese recipes, Cambodian cooking is often subtler, allowing the freshness of herbs and the depth of spices to shine. Signature flavours come from prahok, a fermented fish paste that is both a national staple and a symbol of identity, along with lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, and an array of fresh vegetables.

The history of Cambodian cooking is shaped by centuries of exchange. Indian traders brought spices, Chinese merchants influenced noodle traditions, and French colonists left behind techniques and a love of bread. Yet, despite these influences, Khmer cuisine retains a distinct voice, expressed through dishes like fish amok steamed in banana leaves, fragrant kuy teav noodle soup, and bai sach chrouk, the comforting breakfast of pork and rice. Seriously, is there anything tastier than pork for breakfast?

Now that we’ve explored what makes Khmer cuisine unique, let’s look at the cooking classes that bring these flavours to life in Phnom Penh.

Cooking classes in Phnom Penh

At La Table Khmère, the day begins with a bustling market visit before you step into a welcoming classroom kitchen. Here you’ll prepare three dishes under the guidance of Khmer chefs, learning to master traditional recipes while hearing stories that connect food to culture. It’s one of the city’s most popular experiences and a wonderful way to start your culinary journey.

Another superb choice is Veasna in the Kitchen, where small-group and private cooking sessions are led by Veasna Kay, who brings his rural-rooted passion and family kitchen sensibility to Phnom Penh. You’ll learn authentic Khmer preparations in a warm, personal environment, making it feel like cooking with a friend from the countryside. For a more socially conscious experience, Feel Good Cooking School combines hands-on lessons with community support, ensuring your time in the kitchen also benefits local livelihoods.

Now that we’ve stirred the pots of Phnom Penh, let’s explore the food tours that let you taste the city from a different perspective.

Food tours in Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh Food Tours is a local favourite, offering both morning and evening explorations of the city’s vibrant food scene. From bowls of noodle soup to sweet sticky rice, the tours capture the heart of everyday eating in Cambodia.

Lost Plate Food Tours raises the thrill by taking you around in tuk-tuks, stopping at hidden eateries that showcase the capital’s tastiest secrets. Another option is Urban Forage, whose “Ultimate Street Food Tour by Tuk Tuk” layers food with stories and art, creating a cultural journey as much as a culinary one.

Now that Phnom Penh’s flavours have been sampled, let’s turn to Siem Reap and discover the cooking classes that bring the countryside to your plate.

Cooking classes in Siem Reap

You’ll love Le Tigre de Papier (Tiger Paper) Cooking Class, one of Siem Reap’s long-running favourites. A visit to Phsar Chas market precedes a 2–3 hour hands-on session where you prepare a starter, main and dessert under an experienced chef’s guidance.

For a deeper village experience, Siem Reap Countryside Cooking Class takes you into local communities, beginning with a market visit and ending in a traditional kitchen, where food feels inseparable from daily life. Champey Cooking Class also stands out, blending market shopping with hands-on preparation of authentic dishes in a friendly setting.

Now that we’ve rolled up our sleeves in Siem Reap’s kitchens, let’s step into its bustling food scene.

Food tours in Siem Reap

Siem Reap Food Tours takes you through bustling night markets and local eateries, offering a flavourful journey that moves beyond the temples and into the city’s heart.

Lost Plate Food Tours continues the adventure here, weaving through hidden alleys and countryside stops where authentic Khmer food is savoured in warm company. Urban Forage also delivers engaging street food tours, pairing dishes with tuk-tuk rides and cultural context for a lively and memorable evening. Now that we’ve tasted our way through Siem Reap, it’s time to reflect on the journey Cambodia’s kitchens offer.

Savouring the flavours of Cambodia

Khmer cuisine is an invitation to taste history, tradition and community on every plate. Cooking classes and food tours in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap give you the chance to step beyond being a visitor and become part of the rhythm of local life. Every dish prepared, every flavour sampled, becomes a story to carry home.

For travellers who seek meaning and memory in their journeys, like we do here at Wanderwell, food in Cambodia offers both. You’ll leave with more than recipes; you’ll leave with connections, emotions, and the sense that you’ve shared something genuine. Cambodia’s kitchens and markets do more than feed you. They welcome you.

Want to read more? The Curious Traveller: 10 Fun Facts About Cambodia's Angkor Wat. The Geographic Traveller: The Cambodian River That Becomes a Lake.

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