Exotic foods in Cambodia
By Flipnomad for Yahoo! Travel
Eating local delicacies is something that I do in every country that I go to. A particular place's local cuisines say a lot about the way of living and culture of the people living there. Just like in the Philippines where fish is considered as one of the main dishes because the country is practically surrounded with water.
Cambodia is just as the same. The countryside's lush vegetation and lakes such as Tonle Sap provide a variety of food sources for the people. As I travel from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap, I encountered unique and exotic dishes that might not seem to be palatable for everyone's taste.
Here's a few of Cambodia's exotic food:
1. Tarantula
Deep fried Tarantula or commonly known as "A-Ping" is a very popular snack in Skuon but can also be found in Phnom Penh, Kampong Cham, Siem Reap and other provinces. I didn't had the guts to try it though, so I just asked those who did, they said it tasted just like crablets.
2. Snakeheads, Giant Mekong Catfish and other huge Mekong River Fishes
I used to see these fishes only on River Monsters, a show about huge freshwater fishes around the world. I never imagined that I'll end up seeing some of them not in the wild but in the wet markets of Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. Some locals preferred to cook it in sour soup and some like it fried.
3. Wild Birds
I've seen some skewered swallows in the countryside of Laos and I saw another variety of wild birds here in Cambodia. These birds seemed to be popular in the market (on the day I visited). They were being sold dressed (plucked and cleaned) or grilled.
4. Frogs
Frogs are commonly eaten not just here but in other countries in Southeast Asia including the Philippines. You'll see fried frogs in the streets of Phnom Penh and usually grilled in some restaurants here in Siem Reap. I ordered a grilled frog and there's not really that much meat to munch on except for the legs.
5. Snakes
Snakes seem to be a popular dish among locals in Siem Reap. I've asked a couple of local who prefer eating smaller snakes in sour soup. You could see some small local restaurants offering grilled snakes near the Tonle Sap boat docks. The texture is a bit rubbery just like croc meat.
6. Crocodiles
Siem Reap has a croc leather industry and meat is also a valued prize here. Our guide said that there are some crocodile farms around the Tonle Sap. I tried eating a stick of grilled croc and it tasted just like chicken but with a tougher and a bit rubbery texture.
7. Silk Worms, Crickets and other Insects
There's not that much in Siem Reap but you'll find a lot in Phnom Penh especially if you walk along Sisowath Quay. The insects are usually deep fried and salted and the crickets tasted like peanuts.
8. Lotus Seeds
I never knew that you could eat lotus seeds but it's a popular snack among locals here in Cambodia.
Aside from the above-mentioned foods, I also found some vendors selling "balut" or fertilized duck egg which is also a popular snack in the Philippines. Rumor has it that "balut" is an effective aphrodisiac which might be one of the reasons why it's a popular snack in Southeast Asia.
These are just some of the unique and exotic foods I've found in Cambodia. You can find most of these dishes in some restaurants in Pubstreet in Siem Reap and along Sisowath Quay in Phnom Penh.
For those who cannot stomach these dishes you can always settle with other local dishes such Amok or Khmer Curry which is my favourite Cambodian dish. Bon Apetit!
