The sovereign state of Cambodia, or the Kingdom of Cambodia as it is officially called, is an interesting melting pot of foods and taste. The Southeastern Asian country has many dishes that have been inspired by a number of its neighbors. Within their mix of flavor contrasting creations you can find curry dishes reminiscent of some Indian meals, Pho-like noodle soups, and stir fried delights that have Chinese origins. This unique culinary combination has created a cuisine that will leave an imprint on your taste buds that sets itself apart from its more well known cousins, Thailand and Vietnam. These are five dishes to help you awaken your taste buds to the different tastes of Cambodian cuisine.
This tasty little dish is perfect for kick starting a ravenous feeding session. Although it could be enjoyed at any time of the day, it is one of the most popular dishes that Cambodians enjoy at breakfast time and can be found in restaurants, as well as being served by roadside vendors in the early hours of the morning. The Pork is artfully marinated in garlic, soy and coconut milk, which is then slowly grilled on a wire rack over burning charcoal, giving it a smoky and caramelized look. The juicy cooked pork is then thinly sliced and seasoned with a bit of chop scallions. For the finishing touches, the pork is then served over steamed rice, with diced cucumbers and green tomatoes. Pure delight on a plate.
This simple but tasty dish comes packed with natural flavors and a color explosion that may just be the perfect little treat you need to brighten up your day. The salad is made fresh from unripe fruit, along with other ingredients, carefully combined to give you a mouth watering experience. Not to be confused with the spicy Thai green papaya salad, Cambodian green mango salad is a delightful blend of sweet, sour, savory and crunchy mix with a refreshing and zesty taste. The dishes construct begins with a nice green mango which is reduced to shavings. This is then mixed with vegetables such as tomatoes, red and green peppers, grated carrots and long beans. Then to this will be added crushed peanuts, dried shrimp, mixed with shallots and Asian basil and mint. The flavors are then merged with a dressing made with shallots, garlic, lime juice, palm sugar, fish sauce, and some birds eye chili. The salad can then be tossed up and served by itself, or along with grilled fish and meats. But however way you have it, it is a taste that you will enjoy and remember.
More fondly known as Cambodia’s National dish, the fish curry sits in a beautiful setting of banana leaves, which it is cooked in, but it’s taste is what pulls you in. The signature taste comes from a curry paste made with galangal, fresh turmeric, shallots, lemongrass, garlic and chili, which is called Kroeung. The delectably fragrant paste mixed with coconut milk, which turns to a beautiful golden yellow. Within banana-leaf cup, the curry is used to smother mild white fish and shredded kaffir lime leaves, which are all then steam cooked. You may have different variations of it, depending on where it is made, but in all cases the taste will leave an impression on you taste buds.
The Beef Noodle Soup is another of Cambodia’s popular breakfast meals, keeping with the tradition of eating rice and noodles for breakfast. The Kuy Teav is a steaming dish of pork broth, filled with noodles, meat and aromatic herbs that highlight both it’s smell and taste. The meat toppings can vary from slices of beef, to pork, meatballs, or chunks of juicy poached chicken. The soup is further garnished with greens, fried garlic and scallions. On the side of this steaming bowl to add to its enjoyment, you will often get a small bowl with a mixture of hoisin and chili sauce. All that’s left after this is presented to you is to dig in and savor every appetizing bite.
For food lovers that enjoy a nice plate of ceviche, this dish may draw your attention. The Cambodian version comprises of thin slices of beef that are marinated in lime juice, and seasoned with garlic, fish sauce, basil, shallots, mint and bell peppers. The dish is most often topped with lots of chili to give it a nice little kick and to further highlight the natural flavors. In your exploration of the Cambodian culture and cuisine, you will come across dishes that will excite, entice and maybe even scare you a bit. But you will most always be able to find something, with the right guide, to make your food loving taste buds nostalgic.
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