Supper Hungry in Battambang

Supper Hungry in Battambang: Delicious Food That Will Make You Beg for More

Battambang, or Battambang Province, a Cambodian border province that mr.hotsia has visited many times. This town is not large or bustling like Phnom Penh, but it has a charming rustic vibe full of local life and delicious food. If you love eating like me, “Supper Hungry in Battambang” perfectly describes this trip.

When it comes to Battambang, many people may know it from the famous Bamboo Train. But for mr.hotsia, what truly captivated me and made me want to return was the local food here. I strolled through the fresh market in the city center, filled with fresh ingredients from the Stung Sangker River flowing through the town, allowing locals to fish various kinds continuously. There is also a sweet carp rice porridge shop that I consider a must-visit when in Battambang.

This sweet carp rice porridge shop is located in the old market. It’s a small place that looks simple, but the taste is extraordinary. The sweet carp here tastes very Thai—tender, with no annoying bones, served with hot, clean white rice porridge. I ate two bowls and two plates of carp until I was full. The price was very cheap, not more than 100 baht per meal. For anyone wanting to experience authentic local food, this is a highly recommended choice.Read more about Battambang food

Besides the sweet carp rice porridge, the streets in town are filled with roasted duck, grilled chicken, and fried bird shops, with aromas wafting through the streets. I tried grilled chicken with hot steamed rice, the authentic Khmer way. Here, they prefer steamed rice, not sticky rice like in Northeast Thailand. This small difference is charming and allowed me to fully absorb the local food culture.

Walking Through Battambang Market: Life and Atmosphere of a Border Town

If you want to see the real life of Battambang locals, I recommend strolling through the town’s fresh market. The market I visited is not for tourists but a place where locals genuinely buy and sell food and goods. You will see fresh shrimp, shellfish, crabs, and fish from the Stung Sangker River, as well as fresh vegetables, fruits, and many unusual seafood items.

The market atmosphere is very friendly, with many curry rice shops to choose from. The food looks a bit different from Thai dishes but tastes very similar. Prices per dish are about 2 USD or around 60 baht, very cheap compared to tourist prices in big cities. I hired a tuk-tuk for a day at 13 USD to take me to try many shops and visit Bamboo Train, Killing Caves, and Banan Temple, which was very worthwhile. I also got to talk with locals and the tuk-tuk driver, who spoke some Thai.Read about traveling in BattambangPreparation before coming here

Eat and Walk: The Fun of Exploring Local Food

I remember well the day I was extremely hungry in Battambang. I ate from small curry rice shops to desserts like giant bualoy dumplings filled with beans in shaved ice, which had a perfectly sweet and fragrant taste—a dessert I had never encountered in Thailand. Also, the Khmer sticky rice dumplings here differ slightly from ours; they don’t use much coconut milk or sugar but focus on a mild flavor with soybean filling, which I liked because it felt refreshingly new.Watch the video of bualoy and Khmer desserts in Ta Koew

Although it is a border town that hasn’t developed rapidly, I think Battambang is perfect for those seeking a deep travel experience, immersing in real local life. And of course, food lovers will not be disappointed.

Additional Information and Tips from mr.hotsia

For anyone planning to visit Battambang, I recommend booking clean and well-maintained accommodation likeLux Guesthousewhere I stayed and was impressed. The price is reasonable, and the owner is kind and speaks some English. Also, finding a guide or tuk-tuk driver who speaks some Thai will make travel and communication much easier.

Another recommendation is not to miss getting your hair washed here. I tried a seated hair wash for the first time in my life. They use little water and give a delicate head massage. It’s a unique experience worth trying.Read about the hair wash experience and travel tips in BattambangFrom me,

Finally, Battambang is not just an ordinary tourist town but a place full of culture and fascinating food. I believe anyone who visits will fall in love with it as I did. mr.hotsia, December 2011