Recommended Food in Prey Veng Province

Recommended Food in Prey Veng Province, Cambodia

Talking about Prey Veng Province, a small province north of Svay Rieng, a province I, mr.hotsia, have visited. I must say this place is not famous for its restaurants like big cities, but in its simplicity lies a charm that food travelers like me cannot overlook.

First, let me describe the atmosphere of Prey Veng town. This town is quiet and compact, easily accessible from Phnom Penh by bus. For those who like a bit of adventure, I recommend readingTraveling to Prey Veng ProvinceI myself took a van from Svay Rieng Province and then rented a motorcycle to get here. The distance is about 30 kilometers, and the fare is not very expensive.

Upon arriving in Prey Veng, what I found were not many restaurants, especially curry rice shops like those familiar in Thailand. I walked almost all over town and barely found such places. Most restaurants are clustered in well-known hotels in town, such asMittapheap Hotelor as locals pronounce it “Mitpieb.” This hotel is not only budget-friendly and comfortable accommodation but also has the top-rated restaurant in Prey Veng town.

I stayed at Mittapheap Hotel because of its very convenient location next to the bus station to Phnom Penh, making travel to other provinces easy. Importantly, the hotel’s restaurant has a lively atmosphere with the owner and staff chatting loudly and joyfully. It’s a genuine local lifestyle experience without feeling like a tourist intrusion.

Besides the restaurant at Mittapheap Hotel, I also tried food near the Navy Hotel, which is next to Ta Klay Lake Market. The atmosphere there is quiet with few tourists. The local eatery I found there is a traditional grilled pork shop that impressed me greatly.

This grilled pork shop is interesting because they sell hot French bread paired with papaya salad seasoned sweet, sour, and salty in a balanced way. Essential are the local sausages and slightly charred grilled pork. Although the sausages look a bit blackened, the taste is excellent. I, mr.hotsia, ate like a local because eating this way helps understand the true lifestyle of Prey Veng people.

I recommend travelers visiting Prey Veng to try ordering local dishes like these. Don’t just look for fancy menus or upscale restaurants because simple home-style food tells the story of the community and culture most clearly.

For those who enjoy market atmospheres and want to see local life, I suggest walking through the main market of Prey Veng town, near Mittapheap Hotel and Navy Hotel. Here, you will see locals selling fresh produce, snacks, and various traditional foods. Morning market walks are a great experience for those wanting to truly experience Prey Veng life.

Unfortunately, on the day I visited, heavy rain prevented me from trying the night food stalls next to Mittapheap Hotel, which I heard is another highlight not to miss when visiting here. If you have a chance to come during good weather, don’t forget to try the night food stalls.

Prey Veng is a province suitable for travelers who want to experience the genuine rural Cambodian life. Although restaurants are not as diverse as in big cities, the simplicity of the food and the friendliness of the locals impressed me, mr.hotsia, greatly.

For travel routes in this province, if interested, you can read more in the articleTraveling in Prey Veng Provincewhere I describe interesting places and detailed travel information, including connections to Kampong Cham Province and Kirirom National Park, routes I have traveled and recommend.

Finally, I, mr.hotsia, would like to share a video I recorded while tasting food in Prey Veng, in case anyone wants to see the real atmosphere and home-style eating I mentioned.Prey Veng Food - Food of Prey Veng Province, CambodiaThis video captures the real atmosphere and flavors of the food.

If you enjoy travel that immerses you in real life and rare local food, Prey Veng is a province you should not miss. You will discover simple yet profound stories of the Cambodian community here for sure.