Phnom Penh - Culinary Delights

Sovanna Restaurant, Phom Penh, Photo source: Google

There's a whole world of food waiting to be discovered in Phnom Penh's vast and eclectic array of restaurants.

Whether you want to splash the cash or save the dollars, visitors to the Cambodian capital will never be short of new foods to discover in this city where cultures collide.

Starting at the bottom in price, but certainly not in terms of exceptional value for money, are the many Cambodian BBQ places around the city. Favorites among the expatriate community include Pasteur on St 51, "54" on St 278 and Sovanna on St 21, where a three-course feast will set you back about $15 for two or three people with a pitcher of draught thrown in. These venues provide a glimpse of local life and opportunity to sample some unusual dishes, though you will benefit from taking a Khmer to help interpret as the staff often speak little English.

The riverfront is a good place to work out how far your money will go because not only is the view pleasant and breeze a refreshing bonus, but the prices range from cheap to mid-budget to high-end in a matter of meters. Here's a selection to whet your appetite.

Taqueria Corona is widely regarded as one of the capital's top Mexican restaurants. Set on St 51, this intimate eateries's menu boasts a total of 10 different meats to choose from, to be served in a choice of traditional Mexican styles, from burritos to tacos. Lone Pine, managed by the same owner, serves hearty portions of flavorful southern comfort food such as po' boys, ribs, chilli, steaks and gumbo in an eatery with the feel of a roadside diner.

FCC Phnom Penh, Photo Source: FCCCambodia.com

The FCC, with its relaxing views across the river, is on the high-end of the scale but well worth a visit, serving a delicious mix of South East Asian favorites, salads burgers, and wood-fired pizzas. As well as the second-floor balcony there's also a comfortable rooftop terrace option.

Further up the riverside strip you'll find Metro Hassakan and Chow, each offering affordable fine dining in classy surroundings. Chow's ever-changing menu, with organically selected products, has been expanded to include a selection of some of the finest Mediterranean dishes. metro, which transforms into a cocktail lounge at night, has a varied range of small and large plates to try, including specialties such as the strange sounding Khmer beef with red ants.

Riverhouse Bistro takes diners on a culinary adventure across continents, offering a fresh fusion of the finest dishes, such as Asian beef jerky, the Thai fusion fishcake and Moroccan mezze platter.

If you're a westerner seeking a taste of home, beautifully battered fish'n'chips is the idea behind Fish across the street from the Night Market. Be sure also to check out Fish & Co just a few doors down for some affordable and interesting lunch deals with its range of battered fish stuffed with different cheeses and flavors.

Lovers of all things Latin should visit the Latin Quarter on St 178, where a tantalizing selection of freshly prepared South American, Spanish and Italian dishes await you in a beautifully restored colonial building. Another south American favorite is Samba on Sothearos Blvd where high quality meats are prepared using a unique type of barbecue cooking call Churrasco, a tradition of Brazilian Gauchos. The all you can eat buffet is a must.

Ocean specializes in fresh seafood and as an interesting $9 set menu. Make sure you try the seafood spaghetti and the chocolate mousse with vanilla custard. The latest addition from Ocean is Ludwik Beergarden, which specializes in a range of German cuisine and Paulaner beer under the trees of an airy beergarden. La Marmite has been offering a taste of classic French since opening in 2001. The restaurant serves affordable daily specials as well as typical French cuisine. Manu the helpful owner is always on hand to help.

If it's red meat you're after then also head to one of the city's steak houses. A top place is Armand's, which is deservedly popular with steak aficionados.

There's also a long list of eateries where the staff are mostly former street kids learning a trade. These include Lotus Blanc, Friends and previously mentioned sister restaurant Romdeng, Hagar and Le Rit's, where the prices may be a bit higher but it's for good cause.

Then there are the high-end restaurants. These range from fine Cambodian cuisine at Malis on Norodom Blvd to a variety of French specialties. Also serving fine French cuisine is La Résidence, which offers a $15 three course lunch menu and is one of the classiest French-style restaurants in town. Set in a mansion boasting stunningly classical decor and well-manicured gardens, the St 214 restaurant is a truly sophisticated affair.

Indochine Bistro recently opened its doors in the tranquil Bassac garden, next to Sofitel. Their back rib served with fries is a hit with diners.

Lovers of cuisine from the land of the rising sun will find fine Japanese fare at Bekkan Ramen (St 334). Phnom Penh's original Ramen noodle house; it serves a number of authentic noodle and BBQ dishes from across Japan.

The Sushi Bar (St 302) has well and truly made a name for itself on the sushi scene, offering everything from bento sets and sashimi to grilled dishes and delicious sushi rolls. Alternatively, try Rahu (157 Sosowath Quay) for "fusion sushi Rahu style" together with an impressive range of hand-crafted cocktails.

Fans of Italian cuisine are spoilt for choice here in the capital. Luna has been serving excellent pasts and pizza in a beautiful garden setting for many years. Terrazza is an authentic and very promising Italian restaurant. Diners can enjoy simple cooked, fresh food with fine wine, and there's also a deli selling Italian produce. A latest addition to the roster of great Italian restaurants is Aperitivo. Don't miss out on the unique and superb pasta combination platters! Zino on St 294 is another Phnom Penh newbie and one of a string of wine bars to open recent months in the capital. Its variety of wine combined with top-notch Mediterranean menu has led to it receiving instant rave reviews from the expat community as well as tourists.

If it's fresh and healthy meat-free cuisine you're after then head to Vegos, which now has a second location on St 294 offering wraps, bagels and salads as well as a new range of rice and noodle dishes. Maru Shabu recently opened its door in the capital and offers a range of salads with over 40 ingredients, with chicken as additional option.

If it's tasty panini you're after, then the real deal is being served at Da Sandro Panini Bar. With Italian ciabatta and paninis with hight quality fillings imported from Italy on the menu, it has quickly become a firm favorite on the local restaurant scene. Dine in the Dark offers a totally different experience to diners. Enjoy meal with only your sense of taste and smell in total darkness. Three three-course option ($18) are available in Western, Khmer and vegetarian. Le Saint Malo is the first French-style seafood platter restaurant in the Kingdom. They offer lots of fresh fish, expertly prepared in their house specialties, but meat lovers fear not, there is plenty on the menu to satisfy your hunger.

Don't miss The Restore One Café, which is part of a training center for vulnerable women and does an amazing burger. East West Curry is a stalwart and popular with locals and expats.

Source: PocketguideCambodia

Phnom Penh - Restaurants at a glance

Bekkan Ramen (24A Street 334)
Phnom penh's first and most delicious ramen restaurant, Bekkan Ramen, has now been operating in the city for four straight years. The owner, Francis, honed his craft in the bustling heart of Tokyo before bringing his encyclopedic knowledge of Japanese ramen here for the people of Cambodia to enjoy. With traditional wooden panelling and Japanese décor, Bekkan Ramen provides a touch of Tokyo in Phnom Penh. Whether you want to pull up a stool at the stylish bar and enjoy one of the 25 foreign and international beers on offer with your meal, or find a table sample a variety of Bekkan Ramen's culinary delights with friends, you can't go wrong. Francis' savory gyoza and authentic shoyu are stand-out dishes that are not to be missed.

Caravan's Brasseries (68 Sihanouk Blvd)
There's no shortage of European fine dining in Phnom Penh, and Caravan's Brasserie is the cream of the crop. When you're ready for a break from cheap street eats, stroll on down to this sumptuous dining spot for a truly memorable gastronomic experience. Caravan's French-trained chef will tantalize your tastebuds with a cornucopia of delectable dishes. From creamy pasta to succulently grilled cuts of the finest meats, your continental cravings will be well and truly satisfied at this elegantly appointed restaurant. Your meal will be perfectly complemented by the sophisticated selection of European wines on their tastefully curated drinks menu. With a wonderful view of the Independence Monument-gorgeously lit up in the evening-there's nowhere better to enjoy a leisurely meal with rich food, fine wine, and great company than Caravan's.

Dot Grill: Lounge (8 Street 144)
For a fiery dining experience in Cambodia's capital you can't go past Dot Grill. Each day their chief carefully selects the finest ingredients and artfully marinates them with just the right balance of traditional Khmer herbs and spices. Your selection is made to order and cooked over and open grill before your eyes. This is not your backyard barbecue-your meal comes to your table beautifully presented on a large skewer, with a variety of dipping sauces for your delectation. With a range of traditional Khmer dishes and international barbecue favorites, Dot Grill is here to satisfy the pickiest of barbecue lovers. The riverside location and fun contemporary feel make Dot Grill the perfect place to dine with friends before exploring the nightlife Phnom Penh has on offer.

The Restore One Cafe (23 Street 123)
A burger-lover's heaven, Restore One Cafe's hearty menu packs a sizable punch. Their generous portions and deliciously designed dishes will have your salivating before the food even gets to your table. If hand-cut fries with a variety of tasty dipping sauces sounds like you (how could it not?), Restore One will not disappoint. On top of their fantastic menu, The Restore One Cafe's al fresco dining offers a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of Phnom Penh's hectic streets. Get off the dusty road, pull up a seat in their leafy dining area, and sink your teeth into something special. The handy proximity to the Russian Market gives you the perfect excuse to take a break from bargain hunting before diving back into the fray.

Phnom Penh Bars at a Glance

Garage Bar (9 Street 110)

Photo source: Google

For lively atmosphere, great value, central location, and an absolutely killer playlist, Garage bar is the place to be. This Phnom Penh spot is quickly becoming an institution and delivers the no-frills bar experience every intrepid traveller is after. Wash down a hunger-busting burger or hot dog with an ice-cold local draught beer while soaking up the vibrant sights and sounds of street-side Phnom Penh. Put in a request for your favorite tune and the friendly staff at Garage are more than happy to oblige-provided you're got good taste! Be warned, Garage Bar is the welcoming kind of place you'll find yourself becoming a regular at before you know it. The mix of locals, expats and tourists that hang out at Garage make this an eclectic and engaging place to be.

KWest (1Street 154)

Photo source: Google

Unwind in sophisticated style at KWest on the riverfront. Enjoy a sensational view as the light dims over the Tonle Sap River and the nightlife flickers into action, while you nurse an expertly prepared cocktail or sip on one of their many international wines. A favorite of upmarket locals and discerning traveller alike, KWest provides a warm and inviting ambience away from the thrumming rhythm of the street outside. With an extensive and inviting dining menu, KWest is not just  destination for your evening tipple. Make a night of it and enjoy the fabulous international fare on offer, before capping the evening with a through sampling of their range of delicious beverages. Get in at 6:00pm to make the most of their happy hour which run until 8:00pm daily.

Ludwik Beer Garden (28 Street 350)

Photo Source: Google

Germany may be know for its beer gardens but so is Cambodia, so you know when you take a German beer garden and put it in the heart of Phnom Penh, you're in for a special mix. This German-run establishment melds the best of German and Cambodian drinking and dining fantastic effect. Just around the corner from Toul Sleng Museum, this spacious evening spent in good company. There's no need to kick on the next spot when you find the place with an atmosphere like this; simply relax, sample a Paulaner Bavarian beer (or two, or three), and let the good times roll. And, with a sensational selection of continental and Khmer cuisine on offer, you won't be in any danger of imbibing on an empty stomach!

Riverhouse Asean Bistro (157 Sosowath Quay)

Riverhouse Lounge Photo from: Google

Phnom Penh nightlife is all about the riverside, and in the heart of it all you'll find Riverhouse Asean Bistro. Grab a spot out on the terrace and pick your poison while you indulge in a bit of people-watching, taking in the myriad of sights on the boulevard below. This is perfect place to start your night-or end it. Smack bang in the middle of the action, you're well placed for whatever your evening may have in store. The friendly staff and elegant decor makes Riverhouse Asian Bistro a wonderful place to while away the hours on those sultry Phnom Penh evenings. With an extensive drinks menu encompassing array of cold beers, mellow wines and creative cocktails, along with a truely sensational dinner men, you'll be spoiled for choice.

Updated: October 27, 2015 Source: POCKETGUIDECAMBODIA

Dining for a cause in Phnom Penh

While Phnom Penh is an amazing city, it bears the scares of a troubled history which can be seen all around you.

As a visitor to this city you have the fantastic opportunity to not only rub shoulders with the wonderful people who live here, but also directly impact their lives in a positive way. One way you can help is dining at one of the many charitable restaurants operating in Phnom Penh.

Black Bambu, situated between Norodom and Monivong boulevards on Samdech Mongkol Em Street, is a sophisticated fusion restaurant dishing up a dazzling array of gourmet meals from Asia and abroad with impressive attention to detail. Profits from Black Bambu directly support Cambodian Children's Fund, an organization dedicated to transforming impoverished children into tomorrow's leaders. Many Black Bambu's staff have come through the CCF program and found found life-changing employment there.

Over in the trendy BKK1 area on street 310, you'll find Hagar Restaurant. Their popular $6.95 buffet lunch runs daily from 11:30am to 2:00pm and features a mouth-watering range of Asian and international food. They also have dinner buffet available by reservation. You'll walk out feeling truly satisfied, not just because you've raided the buffet for all it's worth, but also because you know your money is supporting Hagar in their mission to restore wholeness to the lives of women and children across Cambodia. Hagar prioritises the hiring the vulnerable women who learn valuable hospitality and catering skills through this enterprise.

Just a short stroll from Hagar you'll come across Lotus Blanc. Boasting a menu featuring delicious French and Asian cuisine, your meals are prepared and served by students from Pour un Sourire d'Enfant (PSE), a vocational training center providing free education for underprivileged children.

At Romdeng Restaurant on Oknha Ket Road you'll be greeted by an enticing array of Khmer dishes. From traditional to contemporary, everything on their menu is authentic and guaranteed to please. A part of Friends International, Romdeng is a training restaurant providing valuable skills and instructure some of Phnom Penh's least fortunate young people.

Another Friends International establishment, the aptly named Friends the Restaurant, can be found on Street 13, not far from the National Museum. Famous for its outstanding frozen shakes and daiquiris, along with its scrumptious tapas menu, this restaurant also provides empowering training to at-risk young people and has wonderful craft store just next door.

The Restore One Cafe, tucked away on Street 123, is a training center for vulnerable women and provides a 12-moth program, instilling in these women the necessary skills to exceed in Phnom Penh's booming hospitality and tourism sector. They also cook up some of the best burger in town and do not skimp on the filling!

Nestled just along from the Boeung Keng Kang Market is the Craft PEACE Cafe on Street 392. This hip eatery is big on style and even bigger on food. The cafe provides an outlet for craftsmanship and creativity of physically challenged artisans trained by the Banteay Prieb vocational training organization. Their skill is displayed in everything from the crafts lining the wall to some furniture throughout the building. You'll have ample opportunity to peruse their wares while enjoying their wares while enjoying one of Craft PEACE Cafe's famous smoothies or sandwiches.

With one location near the Royal Palace on Street 178 and another near the Russian Market on Street 430, Daughters of Cambodia's Sugar 'n Spice Cafes have all your bases covered. Their mission is all about helping victims of trafficking in Cambodia, with their cafes serving to financially support this cause and also provide valuable training to these at-risk women. They also serve up delicious cafe food-their eggs Benedict (with a very generous helping of hollandaise) being a stand-out favorite.

Meander 100m or so from the Russian Market down Street 155 and you may just spy Cambodia's first solar-power coffee and food vending tuktuk! Aziza's Coffee is staffed by fomer recycled goods pickers, mainly from city's largest dumpsite, Beung Cheoung Ek. Selling refreshing iced coffee and iced tea to parched commuters is service enough in Phnom Penh's sweltering heat, but when you add in the fact that they offer a discount to customers who bring in used plastic bottles and aluminium cans to incentivise recycling-a somewhat foreign notion to many here-you realise they're onto something special.


Source: POCKETGUIDECAMBODIA

Phnom Penh - Cafe Society

Phnom Penh is a true coffee lover's delight and there's certainly no shortage of places to relax with friends or catch up with a magazine or newspapper...

Photo source: Google

Coffee, the most addictive drink known to mankind. People have been drinking it for centuries and with more and more high-end chains hitting the streets, it doesn't look set to stop being popular anytime soon.

The original of how coffee became one of the most popular drinks in the world is unknown but legend has it the coffee tree originated in the province of Kaffa - Known today as Ethiopia. How exactly the bean of the tree was transformed into a rich brew is unknown but it is thought the tribespeople may have chewed on the beans for food in the 9th century, sparking a hunger for the addictive taste.

Commercial cultivation of coffee was not recorded until the 15th century and by the 16th century, was being grown in Persia, Syria, Turkey and Egypt with the first coffee houses being opened in Mecca, where people would flock from far and wide to try this new beverage. Its popularity quickly spread and the explosion of the coffee addict that we know today began as the drink spread far beyond Arabia.

As the most popular drink worldwide, with an estimated two billion cups consumed everyday, coffee forms an important part of many people's daily routine and visitors to Phnom Penh need not fear they will have to go without because the city has seen an explosion of coffee chains over recent months, with BKK1 boasting a coffee shop of some form on pretty much every street corner. So whether it's a cappuccino, mocha, espresso or a latte that you're after, there's certainly no lack of places to cater to your cravings.


Source: POCKETGUIDECAMBODIA

Tea Time in Phnom Penh

Photo source: www.yourphnompenh.com

Coffee shops may be the current buzz in Phnom Penh but that doesn't mean there isn't still time for tea, and there is a great range of places to catch a cup of cha..

The history of tea spans not only many centuries but multiple cultures too. And the desirable drink has evolved way beyond the original black tea leaves that is believed to have originated in China during the Shang dynasty when it was consumed as a medical drink.

It was first introduced to Portuguese priests and merchants operating in China during the 16th century, and it wasn't until the next century that drinking tea became popular in Britain, where it remains the drink of choice for many.

As well as traditional black teas, such as the classical English breakfast or Earl Grey, herbal teas, or tisane, are not a regular feature on many menus. These refer to drinks that are infused with spices, herbs or other plants in hot water and do not usually contain caffeine. Many of these teas are also believed to have medicinal properties, from helping to heal colds and fevers to purifying the digestive system and cleaning out the liver.

Today, tea can be found in abundance across the capital in the form of strong black teas, fragrant floral teas and had-woven herbal drink. While traditionally, coffee is the flavored drink in the Cambodian capital, the swathe of coffee shops are starting to tap into the tea market and offer a range of both hot and cold remedies, infused with a creative mix.

There really is an option to quench every thirst, and opposite is our selection to whet your whistle.


Source: POCKETGUIDECAMBODIA

Drinking in Phnom Penh - Liquid pleasures

Phnom Penh is home to an abundance of bars, ranging from the cheap to chic and everything in between.

Photo source: Thecambodiaherald

There's no fear of alcohol supplies in Phnom Penh dying up any time soon with the capital's streets crammed full of places to quench the thirst. Here, we take a look at how to make the most out of the vast array of bars, which range from the super-cheap to the super-swanky, depending on your budget.

Budget Boozing
If you want to swig a few beers while saving a few bucks then head join the locals at one of the stylish, draught beers of Angkor, Anchor (pronounced an-chaw) and Cambodia Beer go for as little as $0.50 a glass or $2 a jug. Be warned Cambodians love to embark on a lively round of "chul mouys" (that's cheers to you and me) before every single sip, which can make drinking a fun but lengthy - and rowdy - affair.

Another place to bag a booze-fuelled bargain is Street 172. Since the lakeside area of Boeung Kak - a budget traveller hotspot - closed for development, this area has taken over the mantle as a popular backpacker destination. The lively strip is home to a host of bustling bars, all offering cheap beer and other drinks. Make sure you stop off at Sundance Saloon, on the same street. Set in backpackers paradise, it is the perfect spot to start your night. With a spacious wooden-floor bar serving up a range of drinks from all the usual beers and cocktails to spirits, mixers and wine.

The Riverside is also home to several cut-price places, which often sit right next door to their more upmarket cousins. Kandal House is a popular choice, with their all day happy hour draught beer at just $0.75 a glass.

If you dream of sipping cocktails in the sumptuous surroundings of a five-star hotel or chick bar but don't have the wallet to match, then don't worry because Phnom Penh is the land of dreams. Happy hour places the exclusive Elephant Bar at the upscale Raffles Hotel Le Royal on the affordable list, with special deals 4pm and 9pm daily.
indeed the sundown tradition is popular across the capital, with many other venus boasting cut-price cocktails and beers. Street 278 to the south west of Independence Monument is another popular drinking area, boasting a mix of budget place with more mid-range drinking spots. Top Banana is popular backpackers and tourists, as are popular watering holes such as Equinox and Liquid. Both also heavily serve the expat market, with Equinox often playing host to live music in its upstairs room.

Midrange Option
Other mid-range venues where draught beers will cost about $1.50, a glass of wine about $3.50 to $5 and a cocktail $3.50 to $5, include Score sports bar on St 282, where sports fan can catch the match, game or fight on the huge screen that sits to the front the large indoor area. The French run Dodo Rhum House is another fairly priced option, as well as claiming the title of the world's best Rhum bar, serving a selection of flavoured  rums, such as passion fruit, chocolate and prune, and its signature Ti punch.

KWest boasts a lively bar scene during the evening with its top riverside location adding to its popularity. The expert bar team is renowned for mixing mixing delicious cocktails and there's varied selection of wines. The atmosphere is casual.

To experience the higher end of ale drinking, state of the art Himawari Microbrewery is the first and only microbrewery launched in a hotel in Cambodia. The beers, which are all crafted onsite, start at $7 for a pint, with Master Brewer Neo Say Wee's ensuring his four different brews with quench the thirst of every customer.

For Wine Lovers
Adding to Phnom Penh's drinking scene is the steadily growing number of venues catering for the more upmarket drinkers. In recent months, the city's well-established wine bars have been joined by a crowd of new operators all clamouring to the cater for lovers of the vine. With glasses starting at around $3.50 and going up to above $20 in some bars, flavours from across the world can now be found right here in Cambodia.

The Red Apron on St 240 is a staple in the market and is planted firmly on the map of Phnom Penh wine lovers. Starting life solely as wine shop in 2004, it quickly grew into a bar and diner, with a comfortable lounge to sit back and enjoy a glass of your favorite wine accompanied by a plate of cheese.
Bouchon on St 246 also boasts a healthy selection of French wines, mostly from Bordeaux, to accompany a menu with French flair. Zino on St 294 has rapidly risen to the top and is often filled with locals, expats and tourists enjoying a glass of fine wine alongside something off the Mediterranean menu.
Fox Wine Bistro has proved a hit with locals and foreigners alike since opening in mid-2013. With a contemporary interior, this chic Sothearos Blvd venue offers a sophisticated setting to enjoy a glass or two with friends.

Cocktail Hour
Phnom Penh isn't short of places to enjoy a cocktail with a view and Eclipse Sky Bar is one of them. Although this can come at a price, with cocktails starting at $5, watching the sun set over the city from the city's tallest building is well worth splashing your cash on.

The Frangipani chain of boutique hotels also offers a delectable duo of rooftop bars, one at it's Royal Palace Hotel on St 178, near the national museum, and the other at its Living Arts Hotel on St 123 near the Russian market.
Other popular places to enjoy a cocktail include Le Moon on the rooftop of Amanjaya Pancam Hotel, which was first open terrace facing riverside life of Phnom Penh. It offers a superb view of the wide Sisowath junction and cross the convergence of the Tonle Sap and Mekong rivers. Neighboring Frangipani on top of Bougainvillier Hotel is another venue to enjoy stiff cocktails while watching boat cruising down the river .
The Riverside is also home to several upscale drinking spots, including the stylish Cafe Metro. Its sister restaurant and bar Rahu, which sits on the same strip, offers a selection of great cocktails and wines by the glass in classy evening lounge atmosphere.

The newly opened Templar Cocktail band Wine bar is likewise located on the Riverside. It boasts an extensive drinks menu, perfect for those with a taste for quality whiskies and cocktails. Nearby, the Riverhouse is a longstanding feature of the riverfront offers an elegant setting in which to enjoy a cold beer, glass of wine or a cocktail while watching the world go by.


Updated: October 2015 Source: POCKETGUIDECAMBODIA