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Traditionally Cambodians eat together as a family.
During the Khmer Rouge era, communal eating was introduced throughout
Cambodia. At each collective farm people were expected to eat together
in a large hall, not in family units. People did not like this arrangement,
as it broke the tradition of the family eating together. After the Pol Pot
regime ended, they went back to their traditional ways. |
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People eat with their fingers or a spoon. Cambodian
noodles, however, are eaten with chopsticks. Rice and fish are the most
common foods eaten in Cambodia. Rice is steamed, fried or eaten in the
form of noodles. Cambodians may eat rice two or three times a day.
Fish can be eaten fresh, salted or dried. There is a spicy fish paste
called prahoc that is used for seasoning. Cambodian people eat it
with rice. Mint, lemon grass, hot peppers and ginger are common spices
used in cooking. Occasionally people eat chicken or beef. |
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Cambodians eat a variety of fruit. The durian is popular
for its sweet creamy interior, but many people dislike the smell. Other fruits
include bananas, mangoes, papayas and oranges.
Most Cambodians drink tea. Soda water with lemon is also
a common drink. Palm juice (tektnot) and coconut water (tekdong)
are also popular. Palm juice is fermented to make an alcoholic drink.
Some Cambodian women chew the betel nut. It is a mild narcotic
and is considered an aid to digestion. If the betel nut is chewed on a regular basis
it turns the teeth, lips and gums a dark red. Many men use chewing tobacco. |
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Did you know? |
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Some markets and restaurants have a special room for people
who want to enjoy the durian fruit in season. This allows people to eat the fruit
without its smell disturbing other people. |
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Fried Fish Patties |
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Ingredients
450 g fish
4 sticks lemon grass
3 pinches turmeric
3 cloves garlic
2 tbsp. flour
2 eggs
3 tbsp. oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Preparation
Skin and de-bone the fish, and grind it up. Slice lemon grass very thin and grind
with garlic and turmeric. Add spices to ground fish and mash until sticky. Add flour
and eggs and mix. Heat pan or wok to medium high, add oil. Shape fish into patties
and fry in pan or wok or shape like meatballs and steam. Season with salt and pepper.
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