TOP PICKS: Exotic fare in Cambodia

Pong Tia Koon (boiled duck embryos)

 

Fried Critters [fried tarantulas/black spiders]

The New Straits Times
By Punitha Kumar  
More pictures here.
 

What do the Khmer people eat? Their top 10 favourites, writes Punitha Kumar, include fried insects and boiled duck embryos  

1. Boiled Duck Embryos

Also known locally as pong tia koon, this exotic delicacy can be found alongside various fried critters at street stalls in both Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. Apart from being a hearty protein snack, balut ( as it is globally known by its Filipino name)is said to have aphrodisiac qualities to help you get ‘into the mood”.

2. Fried Critters

If a Khmer joins the American reality game show Fear Factor, he or she will have nailed the bizarre and weird cuisine section of the game, hands down! So, what’s on the menu? Fried grasshoppers, crickets, tarantula spiders, snakes, beetles, maggots and deep-fried cockroaches are some of the crunchy treats that are a national favourite.

3. Chicken Or Fish Amok

Well-known among locals and tourists, this dish is made of fish or chicken fillet marinated with a paste made of shallots, garlic, lime leaves and lemongrass. The meat is then wrapped in banana leaves with coconut milk, egg and roasted crushed peanuts before it’s steamed. Although it comes in a small portion, it packs a punch with its variety of flavours.

4. Pork Snouts And Cow Tongues

Body parts are local delicacies when boiled, sliced thinly and served with a dipping sauce made of fish sauce, lemongrass, mint and lime. Cow tongue is reputed to be an aphrodisiac snack among the locals.

5. Happy Herb Pizzas

To the clueless, this sounds harmless. After all, what can go wrong when eating a pizza with herbs and makes one happy? But be warned that the herb used is  marijuana. It tastes like your average pizza but it will give you a bucket-load of pure happiness. Caution: Unicorn-sighting is possible if you order an “extra happy” pizza.

6. Charcoal-Fried Bananas

If you’re low on potassium, try charcoal-fried bananas priced at KHR1,000 (approx 25 sen) for five or six pieces at any local market. Served hot from the charcoal brazier, pisang emas is the preferred variety. As this turns the banana slightly dry, wash down the pasty and chalky taste with plenty of water.

7. Ban Che De

This steamed pastry dish, made with a mixture of rice flour and bean paste, resembles string hoppers. It is topped with grated coconut and brown sugar. The dish was apparently introduced by the Vietnamese people.

8. Pork Sandwich

This famous street food uses baguette, a hint of French influence. (The country was a French protectorate for almost a century). The baguette is filled with pork, pate, cucumber and carrot slices and topped with chilli and tom yam sauce

9. Noodle Soup

Though it looks similar to our local noodle soup, this dish is rather sweet and comes with a dipping sauce. It also contains beef meatballs and bones with a plate of steamed bean sprout.

10. Roast Pork With Rice

A breakfast favourite, bai sach chrouk comes with a bowl of soup and pickled vegetables (sliced carrot and cucumber). The meat is slightly sweet but the tangy vegetables will balance your tastebuds. The price varies but I paid KHR6,000 for a plateful.