Learn to Cook an Authentic Cambodian Meal with a Village Chef in the Countryside - Day Trip

Traveling Spoon

Ben has come a long way - from driving a tourist scooter to being a receptionist at a hotel to now owning his own cooking school. He is truly an inspiration and continues to work very hard, dedicating himself to supporting orphan children in rural areas. He is passionate about introducing people to Cambodian culture and way of life through food. He conducts his cooking class in a countryside village, a 15-minute drive from Siem Reap city center. An experience with Ben is filled with the simplicity and joy that emanates from the locals living in the village, eager to cook and share an everyday Khmer meal with you! Your experience will take place in a traditional kitchen outdoors in the village, surrounded by rice paddy fields. Ben helps translate as Mrs. Phat La, the village chief who will conduct your cooking class, does not speak English. Mrs. Phat La learned to cook from her mother and has been cooking for years now. She is renowned for her cooking skills in the village and is often called to prepare traditional wedding feasts. After you learn about local ingredients and traditional cooking techniques, you will sit down to share a meal together that may include dishes such as fresh spring rolls or banana blossom salad, fish/chicken amok (Cambodia’s national dish of a herbed fish mousse) or beef lok lak (beef stir fry). For dessert you might enjoy pumpkin custard or banana rice cake. If you book the cooking experience, learn how to cook three Cambodian dishes from scratch in a hands-on cooking class that will last for 1-2 hours. The cooking area is simple, modest and very traditional. A wood-fired cooking stove is used to prepare all the meals, just like how it is traditionally done in the village. You will leave learning a great deal about Cambodian cuisine, ingredients, cooking styles and traditional culinary secrets!

Ben also offers an optional market tour add-on. If you book the market tour, Ben will pick you up from your hotel and drive you 15 minutes to a local market. Tour the market with Ben, hear about the vendors and see where the locals shop. The market tour will last 30-45 minutes before you return to the village for your cooking experience and meal. 

Vacation Inclusions

• Market Tour and Meal
• Market Tour and Cooking Class (optional)
• Lunch (9:30am-12.30pm Market Tour and Meal, 7:30am-11:30am Market Tour, Cooking Lesson and Meal) OR Dinner (4:30pm-7:30pm Market Tour and Meal, 1:30pm-5:30pm 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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