Khmer Stir-Fried Beef with Holy Basil and Fried Egg in Sihanoukville, Preah Sihanouk (Kampong Som)

Khmer Stir-Fried Beef with Holy Basil and Fried Egg in Sihanoukville, Preah Sihanouk (Kampong Som)

I, mr.hotsia, had the chance to visit Sihanoukville, also known by some Thais as “Kampong Som,” the top seaside city in Cambodia. This place is not only known for its beautiful sea and clear water but also rich in fascinating local food culture. One dish that impressed me and I highly recommend is the “Khmer Stir-Fried Beef with Holy Basil and Fried Egg,” which I tried at a local restaurant in the fresh market of Sihanoukville.

For me, mr.hotsia, this trip to Sihanoukville started from Trat Province, an eastern Thai border province with the Ban Hat Lek checkpoint, a key connection point to Cambodia. Traveling from Trat to Sihanoukville is very convenient. I chose to take Cherdchai Tour bus service from Bangkok to Trat first, then transferred to a bus to Sihanoukville for about 4 hours (read travel details atTraveling from Trat to Sihanoukville)

Discovering the Fresh Market and Local Food in Sihanoukville

Upon arriving in Preah Sihanouk city, I bonded with the atmosphere of the fresh market here, which is the heart of life for Sihanoukville locals. This fresh market is unlike typical tourist markets because it remains a genuine market for locals. I often enjoy waking up early to stroll through the market to observe daily life and eat like the locals do (for a full experience of Sihanoukville fresh market atmosphere, watch atSihanoukville Market)

Walking past a market-side restaurant, I found a dish that can be called the “signature” here — “Khmer Stir-Fried Beef with Holy Basil and Fried Egg.” It differs from the Thai version we know because they use fresh beef marinated with Khmer spices and stir-fried with fragrant holy basil leaves. The flavor is rich but not too spicy, topped with a fried egg crispy on the outside and soft inside. Paired with hot steamed rice, it’s absolutely delicious.

Unique Taste and Atmosphere

Eating Khmer Stir-Fried Beef with Holy Basil and Fried Egg in Sihanoukville for me, mr.hotsia, is not just about the taste but also an experience of closely encountering Khmer lifestyle. The place I chose is a small restaurant in the fresh market where vendors carry goods on their heads walking around the market — a scene I have never seen anywhere else. This charm of Sihanoukville blends tradition with simplicity perfectly.

Besides the stir-fried beef with holy basil and fried egg, I also tried other local dishes like chicken rice porridge sold in front of my hotel, Sihanoukville-style noodles with a unique flavor, and grilled stingray fresh from Cambodia’s sea. Every meal here truly opened a new world for me (read more about food and restaurants in Sihanoukville atFood and Restaurants in Sihanoukville)

Accommodation and Living in This Seaside City

On this trip, I chose to stay atSihanoukville Timeshare Hotelwhich is located in the city center, within walking distance to the beach. It’s suitable for travelers seeking convenience and easy access to local food and markets. Importantly, the price is quite reasonable.

Sihanoukville often experiences power outages. I recommend choosing accommodation with backup power systems or larger hotels to avoid inconvenience at night. Although the beach sand here is not as white as Thailand’s Koh Samet, the sea water is clear and much quieter than Pattaya (read more about accommodation in Sihanoukville atHotels and Accommodation in Sihanoukville)

Sihanoukville, a City Waiting for You to Discover

mr.hotsia wants to say that Sihanoukville is not just a destination for sea lovers but also a city full of local culture, lifestyle, and exciting food. Eating Khmer Stir-Fried Beef with Holy Basil and Fried Egg in the fresh market atmosphere here is an unforgettable experience that I want Thai people to try for themselves.

If you are looking for a peaceful seaside destination and want to taste authentic Cambodian local food, Sihanoukville is the right answer. To get to know this city more deeply, I recommend starting by strolling through the fresh market, tasting food, and gradually living like a Sihanoukville local.

Don’t forget to follow the food and fresh market atmosphere videos I recorded atKhmer Stir-Fried Beef with Holy Basil and Fried Egg in Sihanoukvilleand many other clips to give you a clearer real picture of this city.