From the Cambodia World / Travel essentials

Food Customs and Flavors

Rice, fish, herbs and fermented flavors appear in many Cambodian meals. Knowing how dishes are balanced and shared helps you order with more confidence.

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A meal may combine a soup, fish or meat, vegetables, herbs and rice rather than center on a single plate. Prahok, a fermented fish paste, can season a dish or appear as a dip. If its strong flavor is new to you, ask how it is used before ordering; its role varies by preparation.

Useful to know

Ask whether a dish contains prahok if you prefer to avoid fermented fish flavors.
Order rice with a soup and another dish to try the contrast of flavors described in Khmer meals.

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Original World content and translations, shown as supplied. Practical information may need updating.

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