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Food & Dining in Phnom Penh

Good to know

Good to Know

  • Street food is incredibly affordable and authentic—night markets and riverside food carts are excellent for trying local dishes at minimal cost
  • Fish is the most important protein in Khmer cuisine due to Cambodia's freshwater rivers; pork and chicken are also widely available
  • Cambodian coffee is uniquely sweet, prepared with condensed milk; iced coffee is the signature drink
  • Many restaurants offer daily lunch specials and set menus offering better value than à la carte ordering
  • The vegan and vegetarian scene has expanded significantly, with numerous dedicated establishments and many traditional restaurants offering plant-based versions of Khmer classics
  • Street meal prices typically range $1–$2.50 for simple local dishes; mid-range restaurants average $5–$10 per person

Budget

  • Evergreen Vegetarian House
    Price Range
    KHR 80,000
    Neighborhood
    Central (Street 118)
    Cuisine Or Dish
    Cambodian vegetarian & mock meat dishes
  • Malis Restaurant
    Price Range
    KHR 120,000
    Neighborhood
    Riverside (near Pub Street)
    Cuisine Or Dish
    Traditional Cambodian/Khmer cuisine
  • Romdeng
    Price Range
    KHR 100,000
    Neighborhood
    Riverside
    Cuisine Or Dish
    Adventurous Khmer (insects, crickets, tarantulas)

High End

  • Element - Vegetarian/Vegan Restaurant
    Price Range
    KHR 360,000
    Neighborhood
    BKK1 (Street 306)
    Cuisine Or Dish
    Fine dining Cambodian & French-influenced vegan cuisine

Mid Range

  • Boat Noodle
    Price Range
    KHR 140,000
    Neighborhood
    Central
    Cuisine Or Dish
    Cambodian noodle soups & rice dishes
  • Banteay Srey Restaurant
    Price Range
    KHR 160,000
    Neighborhood
    Central
    Cuisine Or Dish
    Traditional & grilled Fish Amok
  • David's Restaurant
    Price Range
    KHR 150,000
    Neighborhood
    Riverside
    Cuisine Or Dish
    Homemade Cambodian noodles & traditional fare

Local Must Try Dishes

  • Fish Amok
    Description
    National dish of Cambodia; steamed curry with thick, custard-like consistency, made with fish, banana leaves, lemongrass, kaffir lime, turmeric, and local herb slok ngor
  • Lok Lak
    Description
    Marinated beef cubes cooked rare, served with fried rice and lettuce leaves; French-influenced Khmer adaptation
  • Nom Banh Chok
    Description
    Rice noodle soup with fish and coconut broth, topped with banana flower, green papaya, and cucumber; light and fresh
  • Kuy Teav
    Description
    Classic noodle soup with beef or pork bone broth, vermicelli noodles, sliced meat, topped with fried shallots and garlic; traditional breakfast
  • Lort Cha
    Description
    Thick, chewy rice noodles stir-fried with aromatic ingredients, often topped with fried egg; iconic street food
  • Samlor Korko
    Description
    Spicy fish soup with pumpkin, papaya, green banana, eggplant, long beans and other vegetables; traditional national dish
  • Bai Sach Chrouk
    Description
    Charcoal-grilled pork served with rice and pickled vegetables; popular breakfast dish

Vegan And Vegetarian Dining

Overview
Phnom Penh has a vibrant and growing vegan/vegetarian scene with dedicated restaurants, vegan-friendly cafes, and many establishments offering plant-based versions of traditional Cambodian cuisine.

Venues

  • Sacred Lotus Cafe
    Price Range
    KHR 120,000
    Neighborhood
    Toul Tompung (Street 440)
    Cuisine Or Dish
    Vegan café with Asian-Mediterranean fusion, Cambodian Pad Thai, mushroom burger with cashew cheese
  • Bong Bonlai
    Price Range
    KHR 160,000
    Neighborhood
    Central (YK Art House courtyard)
    Cuisine Or Dish
    100% vegan; Mediterranean & Asian flavors, vegan amok, Khmer ginger tofu, spring rolls
  • JC Vegetarian
    Price Range
    KHR 100,000
    Neighborhood
    Toul Kok (HCN Mall & Residence, Street 516)
    Cuisine Or Dish
    Mock meats, mock fish, vegan sweet and sour; open all day
  • GoGreen Vegetarian Restaurant
    Price Range
    KHR 120,000
    Neighborhood
    Central (Street 420)
    Cuisine Or Dish
    Nearly all-vegan menu, excellent vegan fish, garden setting
  • Masala Dosa Street Kitchen
    Price Range
    KHR 140,000
    Neighborhood
    Phsar Depo
    Cuisine Or Dish
    South Indian dosas and vegan options; vegan omelette with chickpea flour

Supermarkets

Note
Not fully researched

Michelin Restaurants

Note
Not fully researched

Food Delivery Services

Note
Not fully researched

Non Local And International Cuisine

Description
Phnom Penh offers diverse international options including Vietnamese, Thai, Indian, French, and Western cuisines, particularly in BKK1, Riverside, and Toul Tompung neighborhoods. Indian restaurants with vegetarian/vegan options are popular (Dosa Corner, Coriander).
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026

Sources cited for this category

These are the sources cited in this food & dining research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.

  1. 1.thisgirlabroad.com
  2. 2.visitcambodia.co
  3. 3.wander-lush.org
  4. 4.sofitel-phnompenh-phokeethra.com
  5. 5.theworldofstreetfood.com
  6. 6.theculturetrip.com
  7. 7.streetfoodguy.com
  8. 8.tasteatlas.com
  9. 9.veganfoodquest.com
  10. 10.veggiesabroad.com
  11. 11.happycow.net
  12. 12.movetocambodia.com
  13. 13.veganfoodquest.com
  14. 14.wanderlog.com
  15. 15.luxcity.com
  16. 16.veganfoodandliving.com
  17. 17.wanderlog.com

More About Phnom Penh

Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.