Restaurants in Kampong Thom

Restaurants in Kampong Thom: Experience the authentic taste of Khmer with mr.hotsia

Kampong Thom province is located midway between Siem Reap and Phnom Penh. Although it is not a popular tourist city, for mr.hotsia, this place is a charming stopover filled with unique local culture and cuisine. Taking an evening stroll at the Kampong Thom night market and tasting traditional Khmer food is an experience I don’t want you to miss when visiting this province.

For my first meal, I tried grilled dried snakehead fish from Tonle Sap, cooked over charcoal in the lively night market atmosphere. The Tonle Sap snakehead fish here is preserved traditionally by salting and air-drying until it has a slightly sweet taste, not overly salty. When grilled over fragrant charcoal, the fish is crispy outside and tender inside. Paired with hot rice porridge from a roadside stall run by an aunt who speaks some Thai, it was a simple yet incredibly flavorful meal. I recommend ordering an affordable red wine to sip alongside for a fuller experience.Read more about Tonle Sap snakehead fish rice porridge

Besides grilled snakehead fish, another dish that impressed me greatly was “Kampong Thom Fried Rice,” known locally as “Bay Cha.” The restaurant I visited is not far from the elephant and tiger statues in town. Walking about 50 meters east from there, you’ll find a small eatery that fries the rice just right—not soggy like typical fried rice but dry, similar to stir-frying with Chinese sausage and fresh vegetables in a hot pan long enough for the heat to penetrate each grain. The flavor is richer and more aromatic. I prefer this style of fried rice over many others I’ve tried.

Even more exciting, this place also serves hot pho broth with an incredibly rich and smooth flavor. The clear soup, full of authentic Khmer herbs and spices, adds great depth to the meal. If you have a chance to visit Kampong Thom, don’t miss trying this Bay Cha fried rice, as it’s a dish rarely found in other cities.See more about Kampong Thom local food

Getting to Kampong Thom city is not too difficult. I chose to take a bus from Siem Reap, which took only 2 hours. Soraya company’s buses offer air conditioning, though some buses occasionally have AC issues. Still, it’s a convenient and affordable option for travelers wanting to stop by this city before continuing to Phnom Penh or Preah Vihear.Read more about traveling in Kampong Thom

There are not many accommodations in Kampong Thom city. I stayed at Stung Sen Garden Hotel, located near the Stung Sen river bridge. The hotel offers fairly comfortable rooms with in-room Wi-Fi. It’s a suitable place for travelers seeking peace but still close to food and market areas.Read hotel recommendations in Kampong Thom

If you want to experience local life and truly taste authentic local food, the Kampong Thom evening market is a destination I highly recommend. The market is not very large but is full of fresh produce, vegetables, fruits, and traditional Khmer food to choose from. I once strolled here and tried Khmer fish cakes wrapped with yardlong beans and shaved ice with palm sugar syrup, which was refreshingly sweet. Chatting with Khmer locals in the market was a fun time and a real cultural learning experience.See the atmosphere of Kampong Thom market

If you are captivated by the taste of Tonle Sap grilled snakehead fish I described, I recommend not missing the chance to try it at the Tonle Sap snakehead fish rice porridge stall in the night market, a place I have visited many times. The grilled fish here is distinctive, fragrant, and flavorful, served with hot rice porridge. It will make you feel like you’ve traveled back to my childhood at home, where fish farming and traditional preservation were real.

For anyone planning to visit Kampong Thom, I encourage you to explore these small roadside eateries and night markets. They are like a gateway to the true Khmer food world—not only delicious flavors but also filled with stories of life and culture hidden in every bite.

Finally, for more information about local food and tourist spots in Kampong Thom, mr.hotsia recommends visiting my website, which features articles and video clips documenting real travel experiences.Watch videos of eating Khmer food in Kampong ThomSo you can feel the atmosphere and get ideas before your real trip

Kampong Thom is not just a pass-through city but one that hides the beauty of Khmer food and culture waiting for you to discover. mr.hotsia invites everyone to open your heart and taste the flavors here at least once. You will realize that a good journey is not only about the destination but the little stories that happen along the way.