Cuisine You Must Try & Places You Must Visit and Stay

in Cambodia

By Pushpitha Wijesinghe

Contents

• Cuisine in Cambodia– Bai sach chrouk: Pork and rice– Fish Amok– Khmer Red Curry– Nom Banh Chok

• Must Visit Places in Cambodia– National Museum of Cambodia– Angkor Wat– Otres Beach– Bayon

• Where to Stay in Cambodia

Cuisine in Cambodia

• An early morning dish served on the streets of Cambodia

• One of the simplest yet scrumptious dishes offered by Cambodia

• The natural sweetness of the pork is brought out by the slowly grilling it over warm coals.

• Marinating the pork with garlic or coconut milk is optional but will add to the flavor.

• Two other major ingredients are daikon radish and a bunch of ginger.

• A belief: Two Bai Sach Chrouks are never the same.

• The grilled pork is enjoyed with broken steamed rice with cucumber and a side dish of chicken broth mixed with fried onions.

Bai Sach Chrouk: Pork and Rice

• A well known dish in Cambodia although similar dishes are found in neighboring countries.

• The difference : A local Cambodia herb by the name of Slok Ngor is added to the equation.

• In a nutshell, fish whipped into a mousse.• A fish mousse with coconut milk and

a Khmer Curry which is made from lemongrass, fingerroot, Chinese ginger, tumeric root and shallots.

• Served at upscale restaurants and is a highly appreciated dish.

• Steamed in a banana leaf in restaurants.

• Local places serve a more delicate, boiled, soupy fish curry.

Fish Amok

Khmer Red Curry

• Thailand and other close countries have a similar dish but has less fire power.

• Features• Beef• Chicken/Fish• Eggplant• Green Beans• Potatoes• Fresh Coconut Milk• Lemongrass• Kroeung

• Usually served at special occasions such as:• Weddings• Family Gatherings• Religious Days

• People serve Khmer Red Curry to monks in honor of the departed.

• Coconut milk is the base to add rich texture and flavor.

• Usually served with bread which is a French influence in Cambodia.

Nom Banh Chok: Khmer Noodles

• Sold in the mornings by women on the streets.

• Popular breakfast in Cambodia.

• The dish consists of:• Rice Noodles• Fish based Green Curry Gravy

made of:• Lemongrass• Tumeric Root• Kaffir Lime

• A healthy topping of greens including:• Mint Leaves• Bean Sprouts• Beans• Banana Flower• Cucumber

• Also has a reddish counterpart which is served at ceremonies such as weddings and festivals.

• The dish is loved to the extent that it has taken the name Khmer Noodles in English.

Nom Banh Chok: Khmer Noodles

Must Visit Places in Cambodia

• A graceful terracotta structure

• Built in 1917-20

• Highlights:• 8 armed Vishnu Statue

from 6th Century• Several statues of Shiva

from the 9th, 10th and 11th Centuries

• Displays pottery and bronzes from the pre-Angkorian times.

• Classical Angkorian period is displayed (10th to 14th

Centuries)

• Opening Hours: 8am – 5pm

• English, French & Japanese guides available for USD 6

• Entry Fee: USD 5

National Museum of Cambodia

• Believed to be the largest religious structure in the world.

• One of the most breathtaking structures in Angkor.

• Built as a funerary temple for Suryavarman II to honor Vishnu.

• Oriented the West which primarily made scholars believe that Angkor Wat was a tomb.

• One of the world’s most respected structures.

• Visited by people from all religions all year round.

• Fee: • 1 Day – USD 20• 3 Days – USD 40• 1 Week – USD 60

Angkor Wat

Otres Beach

•Competes against the beaches in Southern Thailand with its exquisite beach strip lined with casuarinas.

•Located beyond Phnom Som Nak Sdach.

•A stretch of resorts was removed in 2010 for development.

•Loved by tourists because of the private spots due to its vastness.

•Offers activities such as:•Hurricane Windsurfing•Sea Kayaking•Windsurfing•Skimming•Surfing

•The beach is surrounded by centers offering accessories for the water activities.

•Also offers snorkeling and boat rides for the adventurous.

•Open the entire day to the public and tourists.

Otres Beach

•Is an example of the creativity and the boasting of Cambodia’s legendary King, Jayavarman VII.

•Decorated by 54 gothic towers and 216 giant rock faces.

•It stands in the exact center of the Angkor Thom City.

•Encourages people to visit early in the morning due to it’s Eastward orientation.

•A respected and worshipped location even between it’s modern counterparts.

•Open all day to tourists and locals.

Bayon

Where to Stay in Cambodia

Le Méridien Angkor Anantara Angkor Resort & Spa

Park Hyatt Siem ReapRoyal Crown Hotel & Spa

Sources• http://travel.cnn.com/cambodia-best-dishes-cambodia-food-401118

• http://www.lonelyplanet.com/cambodia/sights/museums-galleries/national-museum-cambodia/item-a-441634-id

• http://www.lonelyplanet.com/cambodia/sights/religious/angkor-wat/item-a-500516-id

• http://www.lonelyplanet.com/cambodia/sights/beaches-islands-waterfronts/otres-beach/item-a-441770-id

• http://www.lonelyplanet.com/cambodia/sights/religious/bayon/item-a-500534-id

• http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z8YwV6x8f78/UEzJpx6RaBI/AAAAAAAAHXQ/CC-8B4Ehmtw/s1600/Photo+4+%25287%2529.jpg

• http://www.wlinktravel.com/uploaded/rice.jpg

• http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/05/2e/d7/90/khmer-fish-amok.jpg

• http://www.travelfish.org/blogs/cambodia/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG_8253.jpg

• http://images-resrc.staticlp.com/S=W750M,H450M,U/O=85/http://media.lonelyplanet.com/a/g/hi/t/5e590e9a687f30d4e8feb6364d7007cc-national-museum-of-cambodia.jpg

• http://images-resrc.staticlp.com/S=W750M,H450M,U/O=85/http://media.lonelyplanet.com/assets/image/8e5f5609cecb30e9166d61a29f0cc6388fb52c61d741ef2a29e5ee15569d7fe2/7facbeee1623f7695313d3b4b439d103d030116a7619d9d5f9e30535e1341d6b.jpg

• http://images-resrc.staticlp.com/S=W750M,H450M,U/O=85/http://media.lonelyplanet.com/assets/image/be3ef7b588d190c6b2a9de860a73cc471428c48c33227d7c23897ccaea06afd6/a6836fb80a12f8dda0efafc63c8947d396c1edbab4d040e5ded93e874b4670e3.jpg

• http://images-resrc.staticlp.com/S=W750M,H450M,U/O=85/http://media.lonelyplanet.com/a/g/hi/t/8531cb22680201872a154cee335b4040-otres-beach.jpg

• http://www.lemeridienangkor.com/

• http://www.royalcrownhotelspa.com/

• http://angkor.anantara.com/

• http://siemreap.park.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home.html?src=agn_phd_prk_lclb_gplaces_repph

Thank you!