Why Cambodia simply ROCKS!

I am in fact having a hard time writing this. I am doing it with a great pain in my chest and it has nothing to do with indigestion.

Cambodia, a country located in the southern portion of the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia is especially known for its fabulous and one-of-a-kind ancient temple Angkor Wat and many other historic ruins that attract thousands of tourists each year. Cambodia also boasts the beautiful culture, tradition as well as nice countrysides, landscapes and beaches. There is no deny that they are parts of the Khmer pride. But let's spare a thought for now! 

Being away from my homeland for such a long period of time, each time I realise it is not the temples or the Khmer traditional dance or Karaoke that I truly miss. When it comes down to Cambodia, beside families and friends AND cheap good beers, the first thing on my mind is Sach Ko Ang Yeay Saksor (an eatery known especially for savoury marinated grilled skewered beef) located in the capital Phnom Penh - therefore food. Before coming here, I hung out a lot there and it seems the memory and taste buds know where it should belong. That place.

If you are going to risk asking me a question what is so special about Cambodia? My first answer will definitely have something to do with what are mouthwatering. Second answer will be another things - the history, the culture, the people, the developement, the nature, things like that. By mouthwatering, I am not talking about those creepy stomach-churning tarantula spiders being laid side by side on a tray what you'd find in Cambodia or some S.E Asian countries. 

Below are some of my prefered dishes/platters that I miss, meaning impossible to cook/have it here. They aren't shown in any particular order or alphabet just as when you would put them in front of me, I won't eat in order too.

WARNING FOR KHMER FOLKS: CONTENTS MAY MAKE YOU HUNGRY
WARNING FOR NON-KHMER: CONTENTS MAY MAKE YOU SHY AWAY

Field snails. 
Photo source: www.cambo-zone.org

Field snails are often found in paddy rice fields or ponds. Snails collecting was one of the activities in my childhood that I enjoyed so much. After having your bucket or half of your bucket full of them, they are then put to submerge in water and bring to boil with some leaves from guava plants (my father said it is to prevent any diarrhea) and/or lemongrass stalks, kaffir lime leaves and whole chilli, for some extra aroma. Very often you will be given toothpicks (clean ones of course) to pick and pull out the flesh of the snail and dip with traditional sauce which consists with chilli, crushed garlic, fish sauce, luke-warm water and sugar. You can use this snail in other Cambodian recipes like soup, porridge, stir-fry etc.

Mam Lahong. 
Photo source: www.sroksrear.com

They aren't the super young green papaya (Lahong). The best is when it is almost close to being riped. Still firm and crispy. Mam (type of fermented fish), ground roasted rice, galangal slices, salt and sugar are mixed and poured on the papaya pieces. Mix everything together and store in a clay jar for some days/weeks. This goes best as side dish with steamy hot Khmer soup, steamed rice. Boy let me tell you, I could eat this for a month. LOL

Baby duck eggs. 
Photo source: Khiri.com Khiri Travel

It is nearly 5p.m. what snack should we get before dinner? Baby duck eggs sound like a great idea. Hey hey hold on, it is not as ghastly as it sounds if you know what you want. Some people prefer the eggs that have bigger baby duck inside already (yuk!) For me I prefer those that haven't shown any trace of the baby developement yet or very tiny that I can simply pick it aside. The rest is good. Ground salt lemon pepper and rau ram herbs or Vietnamese coriander and sliced garlic chilli sauce are the main condiments.

Charcoal grilled skewered beef. 
Photo source: www.chanbokeo.com

If your neighbour grills this, you can smell it already from distance away. It is good with the Kroeung (different roots, leaves, stalks, spices combined together) used to marinate the beef. It is usually eaten with pickled shredded papaya with a drip of chilli sauce on it. You can also find it being placed in a baguette with cilantro etc. (I am not sure what to think now - I am hungry!)

Sun dried fresh water shells. 
Photo source: Sabay

This is perhaps the dirtiest snack imaginable. The shells are pre-cooked and marinated with salt, crushed garlic, sometimes with chilli and then bring to dry under the sun. Cambodia is very dusty. So I left the imagination to you. But the taste, I can't deny that it is good. And frankly, the most yummy part is the outside where the spices (and some dirts) are. Don't run away now, you would still find places where they cover the shells with cheese cloth for hygienic reason. I mean it.

Pickled field crabs.
Photo source: Rak Smey San Google+

What do you say when these crabs are being pickled in salted water and mixed with holy basil leaves and chilli with some lemon juices? I would say, GIVE ME A BOWL RICE!!! One pot of rice can easily be emptied with just a leg or two from this crab. *Don't turn away, it is made with care and clean. Shhhh the "Eek" and the "Aehh" and the "Eww". It is yummy! :-D

Agony of choice. Variety of sour treats. 
Photo source: www.cambo-zone.org

Green mango, guava, young jujuba, wood apple (Limonia acidissima), Ambarella (Spondias dulce), gooseberry (Phyllanthus acidus), anything sour, we eat. With salt and chilli dip of course. Some prefer with caramelised shrimp paste but c'est pas moi. So toothsome. I am writing meanwhile holding a bowl under my mouth and you know why. Joking! 

There are a few more I would like to put on the list but it is hard to find the photos. Once I am in Cambodia I will go on photo hunting and add more. Meanwhile I go daydreaming about my delicious Khmer treats. And may I as well include a sentence from John Lennon's Imagine song? 

"You may say, I'm a dreamer. But I'm not the only one!" :-D I know some of you guys out there are doing the same thing.

I shouldn't have the idea to blog about this. Now I am craving. Goddamn it!!!


Smile Eat while you still have teeth, love!