Phnom Penh Food Guide
Bay Ang Eng
To start off our Phnom Penh food journey, we wanted to try a traditional Cambodian-style breakfast. One of the most popular morning dishes is Bai Sach Chrouk, often sold by street vendors. This delicious breakfast is grilled pork served over rice. On our plate, we had rice, fresh cucumbers, a perfectly cooked over-easy egg, and savory, slightly sweet pork. When we broke the yolk and mixed it into the rice, it created the perfect explosion of flavor.
We visited a spot called Bay Ang Eng, which we discovered through foodie YouTuber Luke Martin. Bay Ang Eng has a street vendor vibe, it is so lowkey you can barely tell it’s a restaurant. Some of the staff spoke a little English, but the photos on the menu really helped us order exactly what we wanted. I’m not the biggest fan of Western-style breakfasts, so I really enjoyed starting the day with something rice-based and savory. It was the perfect introduction to Cambodian cuisine.
Samaky Restaurant and Lounge
Samaky Restaurant is an open-air spot offering both Khmer and Western dishes. I honestly don’t remember where I got the recommendation, but we were on a mission to try as much Khmer food as possible. I ordered one of Cambodia’s national dishes: amok. It’s a steamed curry usually made with fish, but since I’m not a seafood fan I went with pork instead.
I’m not sure if it was the restaurant or just me, but… it was just okay. The curry flavor was strong, and the pork came in pretty big chunks. I added some rice on the side, which helped round it out. Overall, it felt a bit simple in both flavor and composition compared to other Khmer dishes I’ve tried. Michael ordered stir-fried bok choy with mushrooms and tofu. He really enjoyed his meal and said he’d happily eat it again.
For dessert, we got mango sticky rice, because why not? I couldn’t get enough of it in Thailand, so I figured it was worth a shot in Cambodia too. It was… also just okay. The food at this restaurant was pretty average, but the location and atmosphere are nice. It’s on a busier street, and there are a bunch of other restaurants nearby, so if you’re in the area, it might be worth checking out a few different spots.
Langeach Sros (54 Restaurant)
Cambodia has some really interesting ingredients in its cuisine, including various cuts of meat and even insects. This particular restaurant/bar called Langeach Sros is truly a local gem. Once again, we stole this Phnom Penh food location from Mark Weins. It has tons of seating, sometimes live music, and great drinks. The menu is huge, with a wide variety of dishes. Since we’re pretty adventurous eaters, we saw this as the perfect opportunity to try things we’ve never had, or things that are just hard to find elsewhere. We ordered fried eel, fried goat with big black ants, and sweet and sour cow penis.
Michael had never eaten eel before, and he really enjoyed the crispy skin and the way the vegetables were seasoned to complement it. Next up was the fried goat with big black ants. I’m generally adventurous with food, but I was a little nervous. Goat can be hit or miss for me, and while I’ve eaten bugs before, never anything as bold as big black ants. Still, I went for it. I grabbed a big chopstick-full and stuffed it in my mouth, and wow! I was utterly surprised by how good it was. The goat was super tender, the ants added this unexpected crispiness, and the herbs tied everything together beautifully. It also paired perfectly with our beer.
Last up was the sweet and sour cow penis. I’ve never had that kind of meat before, but I used to watch adventurous eating shows growing up and always wondered what it’d be like. It honestly felt like I was living out a childhood dream. The texture was soft and chewy, kind of like intestines, which I actually love. The sauce had minced onions and peppers, and to my surprise, this ended up being my favorite dish of the trip. It was similar to something I already enjoy, but still totally unique. The staff kept glancing our way a lot, but as two Americans with pretty open palates, I guess we stood out a bit.
Cuisine Wat Damnak
If you want to try fine Cambodian cuisine, make a reservation at Cuisine Wat Damnak. This place is known for the highest quality food in Phnom Penh, so booking ahead is the best way to guarantee a table. The restaurant serves Khmer cuisine with a French twist, and the menu changes monthly based on seasonal ingredients. We visited Cuisine Wat Damnak in September. When ordering, you can choose between a 6-course tasting menu for 38 USD or an 8-course tasting menu for 45 USD. They also offer a plant-based tasting menu, which is 32 USD for 6 courses or 38 USD for 8 courses.
Michael and I both opted for the 8-course tasting menu. This kind of dining experience was a first for us together, and we were excited to dive in. The staff were absolutely lovely and super attentive. With each course, they explained what the dish was, how to eat it, and even the recommended order. It made the experience feel really special and immersive. Honestly, it’s hard to choose a favorite because everything was incredibly delicious, but to keep it simple, we’ll each just highlight one standout dish.
I really loved the Cambodian wild cinnamon churros with chocolate pot de crème and rice pralines. Just typing out the name of this dish makes me smile. The churros were soft and warm, and the chocolate was light and fluffy almost like a mousse. It brought back this wave of nostalgia of me being in Spain, dipping churros into thick hot chocolate. Honestly, it felt like one of those magical Ratatouille moments. I love dessert, and I’m so grateful that it never interferes with my meals, because I swear I have a dedicated section in my body just for dessert.
Michael’s Thoughts:
My favorite dish has to be the stir fry frog legs. Everything we ate was out of this world, but they were so well-cooked and every flavor balanced so perfectly. This was my first course meal ever, and Wat Demnak nailed it. I never understood why the price had to be so high, but now I’m a believer, and I would recommend anyone treat themselves to a meal here. This is definitely the best food in Phnom Penh
Lot 369 Cafe & Bar
Originally, we weren’t planning on visiting Lot 369 Café & Bar, but it was so hot that day, and we had already done everything we wanted to in Phnom Penh. A cup of specialty coffee sounded perfect. The café is owned by Australians but run by Cambodians and is located near the Russian Market. Lot 369 can be a little tricky to find since it’s tucked away in a back alley, but just look out for their sign out front and head upstairs. The interior is open and airy, with wooden tables, lots of greenery, and vintage photos and furniture that give it a cozy, laid-back vibe.
Michael ordered an iced pour-over, which is something he rarely does, but it was way too hot for a warm drink. I went with a kombucha, which just fit the mood I was in. Thankfully the drinks were really delicious, they definitely know their way around coffee. They also serve brunch, so we decided to eat light and share some pancakes. And honestly? I found my dream pancakes. We had pancakes topped with coconut ice cream, caramelized bananas, and MANGOS. I was completely over the moon with all the tropical island flavors.
Cafe Enso
Enso Café is located near the Royal Palace, and it’s more than just a café, it’s a full-on restaurant as well. Since we were café hopping that day, we stuck to beverages unless something really stood out. I ordered their homemade ginger beer with lime and palm sugar. I loved how the sourness of the lime danced perfectly with the sweetness of the palm sugar, all while keeping in rhythm with the Latin-style spiciness of the ginger. It was so hot that day, I found myself getting a little poetic about the drinks.
Michael got a turmeric cashew latte, which didn’t have any coffee in it. In some Asian countries, the word “latte” just refers to a milk-based beverage. This one was earthy, rich, and comforting. There’s tons of seating, both indoors and outdoors, and the vibe was just right with a creative, and relaxed vibe. Enso was filled with people working online or casually hanging out. I’d definitely go back, and next time I’d love to try a full meal.
Brown Coffee & Bakery
Brown Coffee & Bakery is basically the Cambodian equivalent of Starbucks. They serve baked goods, breakfast, lunch, and of course, coffee. Michael got a palm sugar espresso frappé, and I went for an iced lemon passion tea. We also wanted to try a pastry, so we shared a bostock, which is kind of like almond toast. It was actually pretty good, especially for a coffee chain. If you’re looking for a Cambodian-style Starbucks experience, definitely check out Brown Coffee & Bakery.
Juniper Gin Bar
Since we finished our night early, we decided to check out a rooftop bar. Juniper Gin Bar is located on the 12th floor of the Point Boutique Hotel and offers a beautiful view overlooking the Mekong River and the Phnom Penh cityscape. We arrived just in time for happy hour, so of course, we each ordered a gin cocktail, because what else do you order at a gin bar? We went with the Juniper Fizz and an Aperol Spritz.
The night was perfect. The air had finally cooled down with a gentle breeze, and we sipped our cocktails while watching the shimmering city lights. From here you can see the beautiful river boats coasting along as people enjoy their meals. We really loved the small, quaint simplicity of this bar. It’s definitely become one of our favorite rooftop spots so far.
Final Thoughts
Every bite of food in Phnom Penh told a story, some familiar, some completely unexpected, and all of them memorable. We left with full stomachs, happy hearts, and a deeper appreciation for Cambodian cuisine. Safe to say, this food journey is one we’ll be dreaming and drooling about for a long time.
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