Authentic Khmer Cuisine in a Local Cambodian Home and Restaurant - Day Trip

Traveling Spoon

Sela has two passions - off-the-beaten-path adventure treks, and cooking. He has been serving traditional Muskovy Duck Soup to locals every evening at his restaurant, a local spot adjacent next to his family home in a neighborhood not far from downtown Siem Reap. His secret to cooking a scrumptious meal is using the freshest, highest quality ingredients, which are often organic and always local. Running his restaurant has not only helped him improve his cooking skills but also made him realize how much he enjoys meeting new people and sharing meals together. His loving family, including his wife, four children and business partner Michal, are often part of the experience that takes place outdoors in his restaurant, adjacent to his home. Sela lives in a modest, rural house about 3km from the city center that hosts a restaurant and a beautiful garden with many herbs and vegetables that Sela grows himself. He has dogs, ducks, chickens and fish on the property, giving you a chance to be part of a truly local, authentic experience. After a brief introduction to Khmer cuisine, sit down with Sela and his family to eat a typically Cambodian meal that is not found in restaurants but is what the locals eat at home. A few of the dishes that you may try are somlor kakor (smoked rice, mixed vegetables, pork and fish), fish salad with banana, prahok ktiss (spicy pork dip) and Cambodian beef jerky. This is a rural experience that might not be for every traveler; be prepared for farm animals to be present during your meal or cooking experience, and to experience a very authentic glimpse of local Cambodian life. If you book a cooking experience, join Sela and his wife in their outdoor restaurant to cook popular local Khmer dishes. The cooking class is set up outside next to the garden, making it very convenient to pick fresh herbs like mint and basil for your meal. This is a hands-on class - with the help of Sela you will make four Khmer dishes from scratch. Learn about Cambodian food, agriculture and culture during your two-hour cooking class with Sela. Sela also offers an optional market tour add-on, during which you can tour a local market, located a five-minute walk from his home. This is a local open market where Sela will show you various fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, spices and meat. You will buy a few fresh ingredients needed for your cooking class and learn to bargain Cambodian-style!

Vacation Inclusions

• Meal
• Market Tour and Cooking Class (optional)
• Market Tour Only (optional)
• Lunch (11:30-1:30pm Meal, 8:30-10:30am Market Tour, 7:30am-12:30pm Market Tour, Cooking Lesson and Meal)
• Vegetarian options available
• Alcohol available
• Transportation included

Featured Destinations

Siem Reap Siem Reap The small provincial capital of Siem Reap stretches along the Siem Reap river – surrounded by rice paddies and serving as the gateway to centuries-old temple ruins of the Khmer Empire. Designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, Angkor Archaeological Park contains numerous temple ruins including Bayon, Banteay Srey and legendary Angkor Wat. Those visiting the site stay in Siem Reap. Experience some local flavor, attend a dance performance, or shop in some local craft shops. Angkor Wat’s artistic and archaeological significance rivals the Pyramids in Egypt, Machu Picchu in Peru and the Taj Mahal in India. Unspoiled by over-development, many areas of the area are possible to explore away from crowds. Its three-tiered massive pyramid is crowned by five beehive-like towers on the ground. It is the centerpiece of any visit to temples in Angkor. This amazing structure is thought to be dedicated to the Hindu god, Vishnu.

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