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Cambodian cuisine is long known for its diversity of dishes and is distinguished in flavor for many foodies. If you happen to have a sweet tooth, you surely cannot miss these 10 mouth-watering desserts when visiting Cambodia. Let’s learn more in this blog!
Discover another aspect of Cambodian cuisine through its sweet treats (Source: BestPrice Travel)
Cha Houy Teuk is a sweet jelly dessert - one of the most popular street foods in Cambodia. The main ingredient of its sweet and colorful jelly is agar, a gelatin that is derived from seaweed.
Tourists can make their own jelly desserts by choosing from various ingredients like tapioca pearls, sweetened mung beans, sago, red beans, jackfruit, sticky rice, taro, coconut cream, shaved ice, etc.
Cha Houy Teuk has a relatively simple way of making and an affordable price (Source: Du Lich Campuchia)
The dessert presents itself with a sweet fragrance of coconut water, the suppleness of sticky rice, and the crunchiness of jelly. You can find this favorite treat in the street stalls in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh cities or in many other provinces.
Price: Around 0.20$ per serving
During Buddhist holidays, people traditionally serve Num Chak Kachan. The dishes feature various designs and colors and are sold throughout the loincloths on this holiday for Num Chak Kachan.
It is a delicious Cambodian dessert that is soft, smooth, and easy to eat. This Num Chak Kachan is very refreshing during the hot season and helps to make you more energetic in some activities in Cambodia. Basic ingredients include rice flour, tapioca flour, water, coconut cream, palm sugar, and food coloring. The food coloring helps make the cake's layers bright and colorful.
Num Chak Kachan is a nice treat for any typically hot days (Source: Cambodge Mag)
This delightful treat has the characteristic aroma of coconut and many particular scents, so it is desirable. You can find this dish in many restaurants in Cambodia, especially in tourist areas like Siem Reap and Phnom Penh. Notable places include the Embassy Restaurant on King's Road in Angkor Village and One More Restaurant in Toul Kork.
Price: Around 0.40$ per serving.
Kralan (or Khao Lam) is a popular tasty treat not only in Cambodia but also in Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos. The ingredients are rice, coconut milk, coconut flakes, black or red beans, palm sugar, and salt. The original recipe includes only rice cooked with water and salt.
The ingredients are mixed and placed inside bamboo tubes. Then the tube is sealed and carefully placed on a construction over hot coals. While cooking, Kralan brings out a lovely sweet aroma of coconut and rice mixed with the refreshing scent of bamboo.
Kralan is cooked in a particular cooking utensil - a bamboo tube (Source: Rezepte Blog - Ein Topf Heimat)
This treat is slightly sweet, with the coconut milk adding a creamy richness that balances well with the nutty black beans. The bamboo imparts a subtle toasty flavor, enhancing the fragrant and sweet essence of the rice and coconut flakes. Kralan is often sold by roadside vendors and local markets in many regions throughout Cambodia including Battambang, Kampong Thom, Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, etc.
Price: Range between 0.50$ to 1.00$ per tube depending on the size.
Nom Akor is a traditional Cambodian sweet treat that has been around for decades. This dessert boasts a unique flavor and texture, typically moist and fluffy. It is made primarily from rice flour, coconut milk, and palm sugar, which contribute to its distinctive taste. This is also a Khmer dessert that vacationers enjoy each time they visit this country.
Nom Akor is a guaranteed must-try as well as a special dessert of Cambodia (Source: Hungry Regal)
Nom Akor has a sweet taste and the aroma of coconut makes the entire bite extra worth trying. This treat is something that can ordinarily be accessed in places like Orussey Market, where vendors of this delicious dessert are to be found. It is also recommended at Khmer Delight Restaurant, Battambang, and DID - Dine in the Dark Restaurant, Phnom Penh.
Price: Ranges from approximately 1.20$ to $3.50 per serving, depending on the serving size and vendor.
Nom Kong is the type of donut many people choose to buy for breakfast. It is a cake made of rice flour, sweetened with jaggery, and sprinkled with sesame seeds. The cake is also suitable for those who prefer sweeter because of the sugar glaze on the cake.
Nom Kong retains its own character in Cambodian culinary culture (Source: foodpanda.com)
When enjoying Nom Kong, you will feel something mouth-watering, like a donut with a soft, chewy middle and a crispy outside. This treat is particularly common in local bakeries in many provinces of Cambodia. You can also try it in some restaurants like Cuisine Wat Damnak Siem Reap Restaurant or Heritage Restaurant in Siem Reap.
Price: Around 0.20$ per serving
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Another tasty Cambodian dessert is pumpkin custard, called Sankhya Lapov. It features a small steamed pumpkin filled with creamy custard. This custard includes coconut milk or cream, palm sugar, eggs, and a pinch of salt. Other than the post-time of the meal, people also consume this dish during special occasions.
Cutting it into small pieces, the yellow custard layer stays within the orange flesh. It looks very beautiful — the squash is soft and nice, and the peel is edible. The dish is typically made using kabocha squash which adds a sweet flavor and a hint of nuttiness.
Each bite of Sankhya Lapov is a harmonious combination of flavors and textures (Source: TasteAtlas)
When you enjoy it, the aromatic custard encases itself in dark green skin, enhancing the overall gustatory experience. You will find this classical dessert served in many traditional restaurants throughout Cambodia such as Embassy Restaurant in Siem Reap and One More Restaurant (Toul Kork) in Phnom Penh.
Price: Around 0.08$ per piece.
Nom Lort is another favorite treat which is typically served with a sweet topping of jaggery and coconut milk creating a delightful balance of sweetness and creaminess. The dessert has a pudding-like consistency, created by pressing the rice flour mixture through a strainer to shape it into long, flat strands resembling small noodles.
The Cambodians often enjoy Nom Lort on special occasions or as a daily treat. This Khmer dessert has a characteristic green color and unique aroma from pandan leaf extract.
The Cambodians often enjoy Nom Lort on special occasions or as a daily treat (Source: TasteAlast)
The dessert has a sweet smell. It often includes pandan, which gives it a unique flavor that is familiar and comforting to many people. The combination of coconut further enriches its taste. You can find this dish at street vendors and many restaurants like Joe & Boy Restaurant in Koh Kong or Damnak Lounge Fine Dining in Siem Reap.
Price: Around 0.80$ per bowl.
Tub Tim Grob is also a favorite Khmer dessert in Cambodia. It is known for its refreshing and colorful presentation, often enjoyed in hot weather. The main ingredient of this sweet treat is crispy chestnuts wrapped in red-dyed tapioca starch. This is what makes them look like beautiful rubies mixed in cold coconut milk.
Tub Tim Grob is a refreshing treat in summer (Source: Adobe Stock)
Tub Tim Grob has a rich coconut milk flavor. The sweetness and aroma of chestnuts from the desert will surely delight you. You can find it on every street or on the menu at many restaurants. For example, try Sokkhak River Lounge or Sambo-Khmer & Thai Restaurant in Siem Reap.
Price: Around 0.08$ per bowl.
Banh Ja'neuk is a famous Cambodian dessert with green bean filling. The Cambodians often enjoy this delightful treat as a comforting snack or dessert, especially during festive occasions. Many recognize it for its bouncy and chewy texture. It also has a creamy coconut sauce and aromatic ginger, making it a nostalgic treat.
Banh Ja'neuk is a delicious treat on many special occasions (Source: SreyDa Leajin)
When enjoying this dessert, you will feel the sweetness of jaggery. The ginger flavor not only avoids the unsavory aroma but also brings the fatty taste of coconut milk and toasted sesame seeds. You can savor Banh Ja'neuk at locations such as Eleven One Kitchen in Phnom Penh, and Brother Bong Cafe in Krong Siem Reap.
Price: Around 0.75$ per serving.
Num Ansom Chek is a type of sticky rice cake wrapped in banana leaves. It is a traditional Cambodian snack that is low-fat, healthy, and easy to make. Some variations may incorporate additional fillings like jackfruit, black beans, or mung beans, depending on regional preferences.
In Cambodia, people usually make this sweet treat for important celebrations. These include the Cambodian New Year and the Pchum Ben festival, also known as the Festival of Souls.
Num Ansom Chek represents both Cambodian heritage and culinary art (Source: Mini Hut Cooking)
While enjoying the dessert, you will feel the aroma of sticky rice and the sweet taste of red bean paste and jaggery. Tourists can find this dessert in local markets and street food stalls. They can also try it at restaurants like Mealea in Phnom Penh and Changkran Khmer in Siem Reap.
Price: Around 1$ per serving.
You might notice that these Cambodian desserts are similar to those in some Southeast Asian countries. However, when you come to Cambodia, you can taste them with different flavors and different preparations. Try them and have a taste of the sweet paradise of Cambodian cuisine.
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