LOCAL FOOD TOUR, SIEM REAP
02/03
Another day was spent drinking and playing cards. The owner knows what he is doing when he gives you a few free drinks to start the day off and get you in the mood to drink the rest of the day. Before you know it you are crawling across the bar as there really is little need to leave the hostel. We were all getting itchy feet and the hostel arranged a so called traditional food tour in the evening about 30mins out of the city. I immediately signed myself, the americans and the swedes up to it.
I COULD BEARLY KEEP IT DOWN
Government Reform
The government kicked all the food stalls out of the city so people would spend more money in the restaurants so we headed out there to have a look. Straight away we could see why they were removed, Cambodian food is a little bizarre. I made sure I was hungry for the tour and was expecting a few Asian starters followed by a semi spicy curry dish, how wrong I was.
I hand it to them, there was plenty of options and I tried all sorts of horrible stuff. Most of which still makes me shiver thinking about it. Snake, frog, bird embryo and the worst was a snail, down to the fact half of it was rock hard and the other half gooey. To this day the worst thing I have eaten and thats saying something!
Balut, bird embryo
I’m happy to experience new things like that when in such a place but don’t get me wrong I wont be ordering grilled snake or frog on a stick anytime soon.
Frogs legs
Dusty doesn’t mind taking one for the team
WHERE IS BANTEAY CHEY MARKET?
30 minutes south of Siem Reap
The market is located in the southern part of the city and there wasn’t a tourist in sight. Our guide was the wife of the hostel owner who is Cambodian so clearly knew what she was at as she immediately took us to a stall which sold baked snake.
Snake on a stick
Not the authentic Cambodian cuisine I was expecting but I’m not the one to mess around and quickly offered up to taste. It wasn’t actually so bad, as close to chicken as you’ll get but its hard not to get the fact you are eating snake our of your head.
Trying it
Next up was frog, something ive had before but the frogs here appeared to be injecting themselves with anabolic steroids, again they were edible but I wont be ordering them off the a la carte. And if you are wondering who eats these, locals regularly!
Frog on a stick
After a few other interesting options it was time to try steamed sea snail. I appear to be the only hungry one here or everyone else knows something I don’t. Even the guide wasn’t eating any of it. It was everything I hate in a dish, gooey texture, hard texture with a not so subtle hint of sea water. For sure one of the hardest things I have ever had to eat.
The Snail
The snake and frog clearly put me in a false sense of security because I didn’t mind them but I still squirm at the thought of the snails. When in Siem Reap, do as the Cambodians do!
Frog’s Legs
NEXT UP
Out tonight with the swedes for a quick tipple which if you ask me is wishful thinking, they are a terrible influence! Up early tomorrow to catch the sunrise at Angkor Was, the world’s largest temple. Click here to read it.
SAFE TRAVELS, DS x
23/229
This episode is part of The South East Asia Series, click to see episode 1.
