Food in Battambang Battambang food

Food in Battambang Battambang food by mr.hotsia

When talking about Battambang province in Cambodia, many might think of famous tourist attractions likeBamboo Train of Battambangor Banan Temple. But for mr.hotsia, one thing that impressed me just as much is the local food and the dining atmosphere of the people in Battambang.

Battambang is a city with a simple lifestyle similar to Thailand in many ways. However, its food has charm and interesting differences. I strolled through the fresh market in downtown Battambang, seeing a variety of foods from savory dishes, desserts, to local drinks that are hard to find elsewhere. This is what I really like because it allows us to truly experience the real life of the locals.

One of mr.hotsia's favorite places is the Sweet Carp Rice Porridge shop located in the old market of the city. This shop is unique because the soft white rice porridge is served with sweet boiled carp fish that tastes similar to Thai food but with a Khmer twist. The carp here has no annoying bones, making it very easy to eat. I ordered two bowls with two plates of carp. It was filling and delightful, like finding a familiar taste mixed with a memorable new twist. For anyone interested in local food, I highly recommend not missing this sweet carp rice porridge.

Besides rice porridge, people in Battambang also like to eat steamed rice with roast duck, grilled chicken, or even fried birds along the streets. I walked around various shops and noticed they rarely eat sticky rice like in northeastern Thailand but focus on well-cooked hot steamed rice instead, which offers a different texture and pairs perfectly with the grilled dishes here.

If you want to try something a bit more formal, I recommend theWhite Rose RestaurantThis restaurant is located in downtown Battambang. It is recommended by guidebooks and frequented by both foreigners and locals. The atmosphere is clean, the owner is friendly, and importantly, you can pay in US dollars, which I suggest using while traveling here as it is more cost-effective than using Cambodian riel.

The signature dishes I tried were stir-fried chili, stir-fried holy basil, and grilled salted snakehead fish, which tasted like Thai food but with an interesting Khmer flavor twist. However, I was less impressed with the noodle dishes I ordered for dinner, possibly because of the timing. If you want to try these dishes, I recommend coming in the morning instead.

Speaking of desserts in Battambang, I had the chance to try Khmer sticky rice dumplings in Ta Koew province, not far from Battambang. The Khmer sticky rice dumplings here differ from ours as they do not use coconut milk or sugar, and the filling is soybean instead. I found the taste a bit bland for Thai preferences but charming in its own way. There are also giant bualoy desserts and fragrant, sweet shaved ice desserts perfect for cooling off on a hot afternoon. These sweets are an interesting part of Khmer food culture.

For travel and accommodation, mr.hotsia recommends planning a relaxed trip to Battambang because the city is not very big. You can stroll through the fresh market or visit important sites likePhnom Sampov Templeor try a hair wash and get information atHair washing shops in Battambangwhich is a unique and fun experience. There are various accommodation options ranging from budget guesthouses to luxury hotels with good standards. I once stayed at Lux Guesthouse, which was clean and had excellent service despite being affordable.Read more about accommodations in Battambang here

Finally, visiting Battambang is not just about sightseeing. Tasting local food, strolling through markets, and talking with locals will give you a true understanding of Khmer lifestyle and culture. Thai is fairly spoken here, and locals are very friendly to tourists. I, mr.hotsia, invite everyone to open your hearts and savor the unique flavors of Battambang!