Updated 01 June 2026
For a city of around 250,000 people, Siem Reap offers an exceptionally diverse food and drink scene. While the city remains deeply rooted in traditional Khmer cuisine, decades of tourism, foreign investment and a sizeable expatriate population have created one of Cambodia's most cosmopolitan dining environments.
Long-term foreign residents can enjoy everything from inexpensive local street food and traditional Khmer cooking to French bakeries, Indian curries, Korean barbecue, Italian trattorias and British pub fare.
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Compared with major cities in Europe, Australia or North America, dining out remains inexpensive. Compared with neighbouring Thailand and Vietnam, prices are generally slightly lower than Bangkok and Phuket, roughly comparable with Chiang Mai, and often a little higher than many Vietnamese provincial cities.
Khmer Food and Drink
The Development of Khmer Cuisine
Cambodian cuisine is among Southeast Asia's oldest culinary traditions, with roots stretching back to the Angkorian Empire between the 9th and 15th centuries. Khmer cooking developed around rice cultivation, freshwater fish from the Mekong and Tonlé Sap systems, tropical fruits, vegetables and locally available herbs.
Unlike Thai cuisine, which often emphasises chilli heat, Khmer food generally relies more heavily on aromatic herbs, fermented ingredients, lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime and turmeric. The result is often subtler and less spicy than neighbouring Thai dishes. Several foreign influences have shaped modern Khmer cooking.
Indian traders introduced spices and curry traditions more than a thousand years ago. Chinese migration brought noodles, stir-frying techniques and soy-based ingredients. French colonial rule from the late nineteenth century introduced baguettes, pâté, coffee culture and baked goods. More recently, Vietnamese and Thai influences have contributed to modern urban Cambodian dining.
Major Khmer Dishes
Fish Amok: Often considered Cambodia's national dish, Fish Amok consists of freshwater fish cooked in a fragrant coconut curry flavoured with kroeung, a traditional Khmer spice paste. It is usually steamed in banana leaves.
Beef Lok Lak: A popular dish among both locals and foreigners, Lok Lak features stir-fried beef served with pepper-lime dipping sauce, vegetables and rice.
Khmer Red Curry: Milder than Thai curries, Khmer red curry is commonly prepared with chicken, beef or fish and is often served during celebrations.
 Fish Amok |
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 Kuy Teav |
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Kuy Teav: A noodle soup often eaten for breakfast, usually prepared with pork or beef broth and a variety of herbs.
Bai Sach Chrouk: A simple but beloved breakfast dish consisting of grilled pork served over rice with pickled vegetables.
Nom Banh Chok: Sometimes referred to as Khmer noodles, this traditional breakfast dish consists of rice noodles topped with fish-based green curry and fresh vegetables.
Freshwater Fish Specialities: The nearby Tonlé Sap Lake supplies numerous fish species that appear regularly on local menus, including snakehead fish, catfish and various carp species.
 Nom Banh Chok |
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Exotic and Adventurous Foods
For adventurous diners, Cambodia offers several unusual dishes.
Fried crickets are widely available and are often seasoned with garlic and pepper.
Silkworm pupae occasionally appear in markets and snack stalls.
Water beetles are sometimes used as flavourings in sauces.
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Tarantula Spider: The most famous exotic food is fried tarantula, originally popularised during periods of food scarcity in Cambodia's history. While less common in Siem Reap than in some provinces, it can still occasionally be found in tourist markets.
These foods are generally safe when purchased from busy, reputable vendors with high turnover.
Where to Eat Khmer Food Safely
Long-term residents typically divide Khmer dining into three categories.
Local Markets
The city's major markets provide authentic and inexpensive meals:
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Psar Chas (Old Market)
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Phsar Leu Thom Thmey
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Made in Cambodia Market
Mid- & Upper Range Khmer Restaurants
Popular establishments include:
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Chanrey Tree
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Mahob Khmer Cuisine
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Khmer Kitchen Restaurant
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Embassy Khmer Gastronomy
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These restaurants are frequently used by expatriates and visitors seeking authentic Khmer cuisine prepared to high hygiene standards.
Street Food Areas
The riverfront area, Old Market district and evening market areas offer numerous street food opportunities. Residents generally follow the same rule used throughout Asia: choose busy stalls with high customer turnover.
Learning Khmer Cooking
Several cooking schools cater to long-term residents.
Among the best-known are:
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Le Tigre de Papier Cooking School
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Lily's Secret Garden Cooking Class
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Khmer Gourmet Cooking Class
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Most courses begin with a market visit before teaching participants how to prepare several traditional Khmer dishes.
Buying Foreign Food Ingredients
Modern Supermarkets
Foreign residents generally obtain imported groceries from a combination of supermarkets, specialist shops and online suppliers.
The principal supermarkets include:
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Angkor Market
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Lucky Supermarket
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Makro Cambodia
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Bayon Market
These stores carry a substantial range of imported goods from Europe, Australia, China, Korea, Thailand and Vietnam.
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 Paris Bakery provides a selection of imported cheeses and charcuterie |
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French Ingredients
Due to Cambodia's colonial history, French products are particularly well represented. Residents can readily purchase:
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French cheeses; Butter and cream; Wine; Charcuterie; Pâté; Baguettes and Specialty condiments
French bakeries are numerous throughout the city, producing breads that many expatriates consider superior to those available elsewhere in Cambodia.
British and Irish Products
British food availability is more limited but steadily improving. Commonly available items include: Breakfast cereals; Baked beans; English tea; Marmalade; Worcestershire sauce; Imported biscuits and Frozen sausages.
Many products are available from Phnom Penh distributors and specialty importers.
Korean Ingredients
The growing Korean population and tourist market have supported availability of: Kimchi; Gochujang; Korean noodles; Seaweed; Korean barbecue meats; and Frozen dumplings.
Several Korean grocery stores supplement supermarket offerings.
Indian Ingredients
Indian ingredients are surprisingly easy to source. Residents can find: Lentils and pulses; Basmati rice; Garam masala and Indian spice mixes including Turmeric; Cardamom; Cumin; Ghee and Frozen Indian breads. Many Indian restaurants also sell spices and speciality ingredients.
Chinese Ingredients
Chinese products are widely available due to strong trade links.
Typical items include: Soy sauces; Noodles; Dumplings; Tofu; Hotpot ingredients; Dried mushrooms and tea.
Italian Ingredients
Italian cooking enthusiasts can usually find: Pasta; Parmesan; Mozzarella; Olive oil; Tomatoes; Balsamic vinegar and Imported wines. Although prices are higher than in Europe, availability is generally good.
Online Food Shopping
Many residents now use:
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Facebook-based import groups
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Telegram ordering services
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Phnom Penh speciality suppliers offering delivery
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Supermarket delivery platforms
Imported goods often arrive from Phnom Penh within one or two days.
Foreign Restaurant Scene and Pricing
French Cuisine
French food enjoys a particularly strong presence due to the large French-speaking community.
Restaurants range from casual bistros to fine dining establishments. Main courses typically range from US$8–25, substantially cheaper than comparable restaurants in Europe and usually slightly cheaper than equivalent venues in Bangkok.
Italian Cuisine
Italian restaurants are among the city's most popular foreign dining options. Pizza and pasta generally cost between US$6 and US$15. Quality is often surprisingly high, aided by imported ingredients and experienced expatriate chefs.
Indian Cuisine
Siem Reap supports numerous Indian restaurants serving North and South Indian cuisine. A typical curry costs US$5–10, significantly below prices commonly found in Europe and often slightly below Thailand's tourist centres.
Chinese Cuisine
Chinese dining options have expanded rapidly over the past decade. Offerings range from Cantonese and Sichuan restaurants to hotpot venues. Prices vary widely, from simple meals at US$4–8 to premium seafood restaurants exceeding US$20 per person.
Korean Cuisine
Korean barbecue restaurants are increasingly popular. A typical barbecue meal costs between US$10–20 per person, comparable with Vietnam and generally less expensive than Seoul or Singapore.
Japanese Cuisine
Japanese restaurants are widely available, including sushi, ramen and izakaya-style establishments. Prices typically range from US$8–25 per person.
Western Cafés and Brunch Venues
The city has developed a vibrant café culture. Residents can find: Specialty coffee; Artisan bakeries; UK and Australian-style brunches; Vegan cafés and Health-focused eateries. Coffee typically costs US$1.50–US$4, while brunch dishes range from US$5– US$12.
British Pub Food
Several pubs and cafes serve Fish and chips; Sunday roasts; Burgers and English breakfasts. Prices are generally between US$6–15, considerably lower than in the UK and slightly below equivalent offerings in many Thai tourist destinations.
Southeast Asian Cuisines
Thai, Vietnamese, Indonesian and Malaysian restaurants are all represented. Because ingredients are readily available regionally, these cuisines are generally authentic and competitively priced.
Alcohol and Beverage Scene
Beer remains extremely affordable. Local lagers such as Cambodia, Angkor and Ganzberg commonly cost US$0.75–2.00 in local establishments. Imported beers and craft beers have become increasingly available, with a growing number of venues serving Cambodian and international craft brews.
Wine is widely available through specialist retailers and restaurants, with imported bottles typically costing significantly less than in many Asian countries due to relatively modest import duties.