I have said it before and I will say it again, street food in Cambodia is one of the most underrated in the region. Borrowing much from its neighbors, as well as having a few homegrown treats you really will not go hungry here.
Where though is the best street food within Cambodia? And who would know such a thing? Well thankfully The Street Food Guy got you covered.
Table of Contents
5 Best Street Food Cities in Cambodia
OK, so as always I have to have been to the cities – not an issue as I have quite literally been EVERYWHERE in Cambodia. And as is the fashion we will count down from 5-1, saving the best of course for last.
Of course you might not agree with my list of best street food cities in Cambodia, but that’s fine! Feel free to get in touch.
5) Poipet
OK, so while there is basically very little reason to go to Poipet unless you are crossing the (pre-war) border to Thailand, these ingredients make for cracking street food – on both sides of the border. Street food Poipet is everywhere, but ground zero is the market down by the crossing which is a perfect mix match of the best of Thai and Cambodian street dining.
4) Siem Reap
Maybe you might have expected Siem Reap to be higher, but we are talking street food here rather than overall dining. Were we talking best restaurants in Cambodia Siem Reap would probably be number 1, or 2. Another place that street food is pretty much everywhere, but key areas are 60 Meter Street, which offers EVERYTHING, as well as down by the riverside.
3) Phnom Penh
Again one you would expect to be higher, after all Phnom Penh has all manor of cuisines and indeed excellent street food, but being a city it is much more refined and spread out. The best places to go are down by the riverside, or at the numerous night markets around the city. Another key kicker here is all the best of Cambodian cuisine can be gotten in the capital.
2) Kep
In actuality the street food scene in Kep is not that eclectic with the beach side options not actually being that cheap, or great. So, why does it make number 2 you ask? Well quite simply because of Kep seafood market which is frankly one of the best of its kind in the world. This sole attraction warrants the high placing. Essentially come pick your seafood, get it cooked and sit on the beach whilst munching away. Purely unbeatable.
1) Battambang
And the best of the street food cities in Cambodia????? It is Battambang! Yes I can already here murmuring and muttering from people, but honestly when it comes to street food, Battambang has it all. To begin there are a bunch of dishes unique or done better in Battambang, with the city having great claim to being the culinary capital. And the street food is basically bloody everywhere, but particularly good around the night markets that encircle the riverfront. Every time I have ever been here my might has been dominated by just moving from stall to stall trying the different foods.
Honorable mentions
Sihanoukville has great squid and seafood in general, but more resembles a 3rd tier Chinese city these days. Kampot is very good and would probably creep in at number 6 (or could be combined with Kep). Overall though it is another one better for restaurants than street dining.
And then you have boonie towns like Anlong Veng, Koh Kong and even Kratie that all have a lot to offer. But if your list is top 5 then there always has to be winners and losers. Click to see my Cambodia Tours. with YPT