What screams Siem Reap street food? Simplicity, creativity, and uniqueness. Say goodbye to your hotdogs, waffles, and grilled cheese, as for first-time comers to Siem Reap, you are trying exotic options that, if you find the idea of eating insects daunting, is not for the faint-hearted. Let’s enjoy Indochina Voyages for this fancy cuisine journey!
10 Best Street Food in Siem Reap
From sweet treats to protein-packed insects, Siem Reap’s street food scene perfectly captures Cambodia’s diverse culinary heritage, blending traditional flavors with surprising ingredients.
For the Normal Experiences
1. Chewy Palm Sugar Sponge Cakes
- Price: $0.50-1 / 2,000-4,000 KHR per piece
- Where to eat: Old Market (Psar Chas), Night Market
These sweet, pillowy cakes are a perfect introduction to Cambodian street food. Made with ripe palmyra fruit, rice flour, yeast, and palm sugar, these steamed delights offer a chewy texture that melts in your mouth. The warm cakes come drizzled with coconut milk, creating a harmonious blend of sweet and creamy flavors.
2. Grilled Bananas
- Price: $0.25-0.50 / 1,000-2,000 KHR per skewer
- Where to eat: Street carts around Pub Street, Night Market
Simple yet irresistible, these caramelized bananas are a street food classic. Local vendors skillfully grill banana skewers sprinkled with palm sugar until they turn golden brown. The grilling process transforms the fruit into a warm, gooey treat with a perfectly crispy exterior.
3. Beef Sausages and Papaya Salad
- Price: $1-2 / 4,000-8,000 KHR per portion
- Where to eat: Street food stalls near Pub Street, Old Market area
These vibrant red sausages pack a flavorful punch thanks to their unique spice blend. The accompanying papaya salad provides a fresh contrast with its mix of shredded green papaya, dried shrimp, tomatoes, bean sprouts, and chilies. The combination creates a perfect balance of savory and tangy flavors.
4. Chive Dumplings (Nom Kachai)
- Price: $0.50-1 / 2,000-4,000 KHR for 4 pieces
- Where to eat: Old Market, Street food corners
These crispy pockets of joy are filled with fresh chives and fried to golden perfection. The simple sweet and sour dipping sauce, made from fish sauce, sugar, and vinegar, elevates these dumplings from good to extraordinary. The contrast between the crispy exterior and soft, fragrant filling is simply delightful.
5. Exotic Fruits
- Price: $0.50-3 / 2,000-12,000 KHR depending on fruit type and portion
- Where to eat: Psar Chas Old Market, Night Market
Dive into a colorful world of tropical fruits including rambutan, snake fruit, fresh mangoes, and lychees. Each fruit offers its unique flavor profile, from the sweet-sour tang of rambutan to the creamy richness of fresh jackfruit. Most vendors will cut and prepare the fruits for immediate consumption.
For the Craziest Experiences
1. Fried Tarantula
- Price: $0.50-1 / 2,000-4,000 KHR per spider
- Where to eat: Phsar Leu Market, Night Market
A Cambodian delicacy born from necessity during the Khmer Rouge era, these crispy arachnids are now a popular street snack. The spiders are seasoned with salt and MSG before being deep-fried whole. The legs are crispy like potato chips, while the body contains a soft, white meat with a taste similar to crab meat.
2. Frog Skewers
- Price: $0.75-1.50 / 3,000-6,000 KHR per skewer
- Where to eat: BBQ street carts around Pub Street
Don’t let appearances fool you – these tender frog legs taste remarkably similar to chicken but are juicier. They’re typically marinated in garlic, lemongrass, and chili before being grilled to perfection. The meat easily falls off the bone and offers a surprisingly delicate flavor.
3. Deep Fried Cricket
- Price: $0.50-1 / 2,000-4,000 KHR per portion
- Where to eat: Old Market, Night Market
These crunchy insects are seasoned with chili peppers, spring onions, and garlic before frying. The result is a crispy, protein-rich snack that tastes surprisingly similar to crispy shrimp. They’re often eaten as a beer snack and are packed with protein.
4. Water Snake
- Price: $1-2 / 4,000-8,000 KHR per portion
- Where to eat: Phsar Leu Market, Street food stalls
Grilled or fried with sugar and salt, these serpentine snacks offer chewy, juicy meat. The texture might be slightly rubbery, but the taste is mild and similar to white fish. They’re often served on skewers or coiled into balls.
5. Fermented Fish Sauce with Beef Intestines & Red Ants
- Price: $1.50-2.50 / 6,000-10,000 KHR per portion
- Where to eat: Local food stalls at Phsar Leu Market
This combination represents the height of adventurous eating in Siem Reap. The fermented fish sauce (Prahok) serves as a dipping sauce, enhanced with red ants for sourness and chili for heat. The beef intestines are cleaned thoroughly and grilled until crispy.
>> Are you finding other unique experiences in Siem Reap? Read now: 15 Things to do in Siem Reap – Beside visiting Angkor Wat
Where to Eat Street Food in Siem Reap the Best?
The best way to experience Siem Reap’s street food scene is to take an evening food walk around the city center, especially to the vibrant Siem Reap Night Markets or depart to Pub Street in this area. Here’s your ideal street food route to wake up all you senses:
Start at Pub Street Area (from 4 PM)
- Begin your food adventure at the intersection of Pub Street and Street 11
- Look for small food carts gathering at corners – this is where you’ll find the best grilled bananas and palm sugar cakes
- Several vendors set up traditional BBQ stations here, perfect for trying beef sausages and frog skewers
- Price range: Most items $0.50-2
>> More information about Siem Reap Pub Street for the wanderlust: Pub Street Siem Reap Cambodia – Your Ultimate Guide to Siem Reap’s Vibrant Nightlife
Night Market Area (from 5 PM)
- Just a 2-minute walk from Pub Street
- Located between Street 11 and Sivatha Boulevard
- Multiple rows of food stalls offering everything from exotic fruits to fried insects
- Best spot for trying crickets and tarantulas in a tourist-friendly setting
- Look for the fruit sections where you can sample various tropical fruits
- Many vendors speak basic English
- Price range: $0.50-3
Old Market (Psar Chas) Area (open all day, best from 3 PM – 7 PM)
- 5-minute walk from Night Market
- The covered market area has food stalls around its edges
- Best place for authentic chive dumplings and local snacks
- Watch for small family-run stands – they often have the most authentic flavors
- Great for photographing local life
- Price range: $0.50-2
Pro Tips for Your Food Walk:
- Best timing: Start your food walk around 4 PM when vendors begin setting up
- Follow this route: Pub Street → Night Market → Old Market
- Total walking time: About 15-20 minutes between all locations
- Total recommended time for food exploration: 2-3 hours
- Bring small bills ($1-$5) for easier transactions
- Most vendors in these areas cater to tourists, making them more approachable
- Look for places with plastic chairs and tables if you want to sit and eat
- Many stalls offer sample tastes before buying
For the Extra Adventurous:
If you want to go beyond the tourist areas, take a tuk-tuk to:
- Phsar Leu Market (about 3km from center)
- More authentic and cheaper prices
- Less English spoken but more genuine local experience
- Best for water snake and fermented fish dishes
- Take a tuk-tuk (around $3-4 round trip)
- Best timing: Early morning or late afternoon
>> Maybe you’ll want to read more about Siem Reap night markets: Top 5 best Siem Reap Night Market – Extra tips for bargaining
Is It Safe to Eat Street Food in Siem Reap?
Generally, street food in Siem Reap is safe to eat, but follow these precautions:
- Choose busy stalls with high turnover
- Watch for vendors who handle money and food with separate hands
- Look for food that’s cooked fresh in front of you
- Avoid raw vegetables unless they’re thoroughly washed
- Carry hand sanitizer and use it before eating
Extra Tips for Hack All Street Food in Siem Reap
- Visit markets early morning for the freshest selection
- Learn basic Khmer phrases for ordering
- Carry small USD bills – most vendors prefer exact change
- Start with familiar items before trying exotic options
- Follow local crowds – they know the best spots
- Ask your tuk-tuk driver for recommendations
- Bring water – some dishes can be spicy
- Don’t be afraid to bargain, but remember prices are already low
Street food in Siem Reap offers more than just sustenance – it’s a window into Cambodian culture, history, and daily life. Whether you stick to familiar flavors or brave the exotic options, each bite tells a story of this remarkable city’s culinary heritage. Happy eating!
>> Best Cambodia Tour for street food experience:
Thuy Dang – From Indochina Voyages Team
