LOCAL FOOD TOUR, SIEM REAP
02/03
Summary
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Join me on my craziest Cambodia food tour. 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 local food tour in Cambodia in the evening, about 30 minutes 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 handed it to them, there were plenty of options, and I tried all sorts of horrible stuff. Most of which still makes me shiver when I think about it. Snake, frog, bird embryo, and the worst was a snail, down to the fact that half of it was rock hard and the other half gooey. To this day, the worst thing I have eaten, and that’s 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 won’t be ordering grilled snake or frog on a stick anytime soon.
Frogs legs
Dusty doesn’t mind taking one for the team
DID YOU KNOW….?
- Cambodian cuisine has a western influence due to the french colonisation
- It is common for Cambodian food to be BBQ or grilled
- U.S. Dollar is widely accepted in Cambodian even though they have their own currency (Cambodian Riel)
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 it’s hard not to get the fact that you are eating a snake out of your head.
Trying it
Next up was frog, something I’ve had before, but the frogs here appeared to be injecting themselves with anabolic steroids; again, they were edible, but I won’t 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 seawater. 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 Wat, the world’s largest temple.
SAFE TRAVELS, DS x
23/229
This episode is part of The South East Asia Series. The Malaysian flight was a nightmare.
To watch the video of my trip, head to my highlights on my Instagram.
Question Time
- Have you ever eaten anything like that?
- What is the worst thing you have ate?
- Do you like trying different food when travelling?
Let me know in the comments below . . .
