Backpacking Southern Cambodia 36/41: Frog Tom Yum at Phnom Penh Girl's Restaurant Behind Unalom Pagoda Wall

Backpacking Southern Cambodia 36/41: Frog Tom Yum at Phnom Penh Girl's Restaurant Behind Unalom Pagoda Wall

For those who have visited Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, you probably know that Khmer food is diverse and just as boldly flavored as Thai cuisine. This time, mr.hotsia shares the experience of exploring markets and searching for great food spots in central Phnom Penh. I happened upon a small restaurant hidden behind the wall of Unalom Pagoda, an ancient temple located not far from the Mekong Riverbank.

After strolling around Phnom Penh's atmosphere, I suddenly felt very hungry. So I decided to wander through the small alleys behind Unalom Pagoda. Usually, most tourists don’t venture here because this is an old community area that still preserves the traditional lifestyle of Khmer people. I saw many interesting small eateries and street stalls.

I passed by a place with an open kitchen where the strong aroma of Tom Yum spices hit my nose intensely. I must say this is one of my favorite restaurants because it offers a rare dish:Frog Tom Yumwhich tastes unlike anywhere else in the world. The broth is rich and intense, made with fresh herbs, and the frog meat is freshly filleted with care so it remains tender and not tough, perfectly blended with the sour and spicy Tom Yum flavors.

The Phnom Penh girl who owns the restaurant is very lovely and kind. She told me that most dishes here focus on fresh ingredients from nearby fresh markets and follow a traditional family recipe passed down through generations. I sat down to enjoy Frog Tom Yum with hot steamed rice in a homely atmosphere that made me feel like I was truly experiencing the authentic lifestyle of Khmer people in Phnom Penh.

Phnom Penh: City of Rivers and Fresh Markets

From mr.hotsia’s perspective, Phnom Penh is not just a capital city with beautiful palaces or the Killing Fields full of harsh history. It is also a city full of vibrant fresh markets and riverside community life along the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers.

In my previous trips, I wrote in an articlePhnom Penh Travel Information (Phnom Penh 2012)that walking along the river and fresh markets in Phnom Penh is a charm often overlooked by many tourists. The fresh markets I visited offer a wide variety of fresh produce from vegetables and fruits to meats and fish, serving as the main ingredient source for many local restaurants.

If anyone is interested in fully experiencing the fresh market atmosphere, I recommend visitingPhnom Penh Fresh Market 2013where you can see fresh cooking and taste delicious, affordable street food.

Traveling and Continuing to Southern Cambodia

For travelers wanting to continue to other provinces in southern Cambodia such as Takeo or Kampot, which have beautiful beaches and tourist towns like Sihanoukville to explore, I recommend using bus services from Soraya company, which I have previously recommended in an articleBus from Phnom Penh to Takeo ProvinceThe buses here run several trips daily, have air conditioning though sometimes it’s not very cold, but they are convenient and affordable.

In Phnom Penh itself, if you want to travel to other provinces or cities, I usually buy tickets through agencies at hotels or accommodations because it’s more convenient and reliable than buying tickets directly at the bus station, which I have detailed inPhnom Penh Bus StationBooking through agencies saves me from language barriers or dealing with staff, and often the bus picks you up at your accommodation.

Notes from mr.hotsia: Unforgettable Lifestyle and Flavors

The Frog Tom Yum I tasted at the small restaurant behind Unalom Pagoda wall is not just a dish but an experience reflecting the simplicity and dedication of locals who still firmly preserve Khmer flavors and culture.

I recommend everyone visiting Phnom Penh to explore old community neighborhoods, wander through small alleys, and find food at these homely eateries. Besides enjoying truly delicious food, you also get to see the real life of Khmer people, a charm not found in fancy restaurants or main tourist spots.

To compare, Phnom Penh is not just a capital with attractions like the Royal Palace or Killing Fields, but a city full of life stories, community ways, and food waiting for us to open our hearts and truly experience, just as I, mr.hotsia, have experienced this time.

Those interested can watch the Frog Tom Yum trip video at the linkBackpacking Southern Cambodia 36/41: Frog Tom Yum at Phnom Penh Girl's Restaurant Behind Unalom Pagoda Wallto enhance the enjoyment of traveling together with mr.hotsia.