How to Eat Like a Local in Siem Reap Without Missing the Must-Try Dishes

Siem Reap is known locally for more than just its temples. Its food scene is rich and full of many different flavoursome dishes. If you are looking to eat and enjoy your meals like a local, it will mean you will have to know where to go and what to order. Let us help you learn how to eat like a local in Siem Reap and best enjoy all the local dishes.

Start at the Local Markets

Begin your food journey with a visit to the Old Market nearby to FCC Angkor Siem Reap. Walk through the food section in the morning. You will get to see and taste a variety of fresh produce, herbs, and cooked meals. Try bai sach chrouk, which is a dish of grilled pork with rice. Locals usually eat it for breakfast as it is a simple, filling, and easy-to-find dish. If you are visiting early enough, grab a seat at a small stall. You will get to watch how the vendors cook different dishes while you eat.

Skip the Tourist Restaurants

A good tip is to try to avoid eating from places with English-only menus and high prices. Some of the top restaurants in Siem Reap instead can be found with plastic chairs on the roadside itself. These places often serve dishes like amok trey (fish curry steamed in a banana leaf) and samlor korko (vegetable stew). Another useful tip is to ask your guesthouse staff or tuk-tuk driver where they eat. They will point you to the right place and will even give you recommendations on what to order.

Order the Must-Try Dishes

Don’t leave without tasting nom banh chok, which is a dish made of rice noodles with fish gravy and herbs. It is generally sold from baskets on bicycles in the mornings. Another must-try dish is lok lak, which is stir-fried beef served with lime and pepper dipping sauce. It is often eaten with rice and is served with a deliciously fried egg on top. Make sure you also have a bowl of kuy teav, which is a very yummy pork and rice noodle soup dish that many locals will eat at any time of day. Try sampling grilled skewers from street vendors in the evening. These range from chicken hearts, pork belly, and even stuffed frog legs are found to be common. Obviously, pick what you are comfortable with eating, but try to explore and try different dishes, especially the local delicacies.

Join a Local Food Tour

A great way to experience the local delights, especially if you are short on time, is to book a local food tour. Some tuk-tuk drivers will offer them at night. During the tour, you will stop at small vendors and hidden places that most tourists may miss. You should ask questions as you eat and try the dishes, as most vendors are more than happy to explain what is on your plate.

Eat with Your Hands Sometimes

In many local homes and some eateries, you might be offered food to eat by hand. This is normal, especially with sticky rice or grilled items. You should wash your hands before and after eating with your hands, as it shows respect for the food and the culture.

Avoid Overplanning Meals

Wander around and eat what smells good. Another good tip is to stop when you see a crowd around a food stall. The best advice to remember is that if locals are eating there, it’s probably worth trying. Sometimes, when it comes to food, the best thing you have eaten would not be one that you planned for or read about. In Siem Reap, that could be your next bite.