Where to Eat in Phnompenh

Phnom Penh's dining culture is a vibrant tapestry woven from centuries of Khmer culinary traditions, French colonial influences, and Chinese trading heritage, creating a food scene where street-side noodle vendors operate alongside elegant colonial-era bistros. The city's signature dishes include num banh chok (Khmer rice noodles with fish-based green curry), bai sach chrouk (grilled pork with broken rice), and kuy teav (pork and seafood rice noodle soup), which locals typically enjoy for breakfast at bustling morning markets. The French legacy manifests in the abundance of fresh baguettes, pâtés, and café culture, while Chinese influence appears in the widespread popularity of hot pot restaurants and stir-fried dishes. Today's dining scene balances deeply traditional family-run eateries serving recipes passed down through generations with a burgeoning contemporary restaurant movement along the Riverside and BKK1 neighborhoods.

• Primary Dining Districts: The Riverside area (Sisowath Quay) offers atmospheric dining along the Tonle Sap River with both local and international options, while BKK1 (Boeung Keng Kang) has become the epicenter of trendy cafés and modern Khmer fusion restaurants. Russian Market area (Toul Tom Poung) provides authentic local eateries at the most affordable prices, and Street 278 has emerged as the city's "food street" with concentrated evening dining options from 6 PM onwards.
• Essential Local Dishes: Amok trey (steamed fish curry in banana leaf with coconut milk and lemongrass) represents Cambodia's national dish, while lok lak (stir-fried beef cubes with lime-pepper dipping sauce) appears on every traditional menu. Street food staples include nom pang pâté (Cambodian baguette sandwiches with pâté, pickled vegetables, and fresh herbs sold for 2,000-4,000 riels), bai cha (fried rice with morning glory and pork), and num plae ai (grilled rice cakes). Don't miss prahok ktis (fermented fish dip with pork and coconut cream) for an authentic taste of rural Khmer cuisine.
• Price Ranges and Expectations: Street food meals cost 4,000-12,000 riels ($1-3 USD) for substantial portions like noodle soups or rice plates at markets such as Orussey or Central Market. Local restaurants charge 12,000-40,000 riels ($3-10 USD) per person for multi-dish meals with drinks, while mid-range establishments in BKK1 and Riverside typically cost 40,000-80,000 riels ($10-20 USD) per person. High-end dining experiences featuring refined Khmer cuisine or international menus range from 80,000-200,000 riels ($20-50 USD) per person before drinks.
• Optimal Dining Times: The dry season (November through March) offers the most pleasant outdoor dining conditions, particularly important for riverside restaurants and rooftop venues.