In Cambodia, family meals are a very important part of daily life. Most meals are cooked at home and shared together at the table. Khmer food is usually simple, fresh, and full of natural flavors from herbs, vegetables, fish, and rice. Families often cook the same traditional dishes because they are comforting, affordable, and deeply connected to culture.
Common Khmer Home-cooked food
These dishes — Prahok Chomhoy, Samlor Korko,Num Banh Chok, Prahok K’tis, and Trey Ngeat — are some of the most common Khmer foods cooked at home. They represent the heart of Cambodian culture: simple ingredients, strong family bonds, and shared meals.
Even today, many families in Cambodia continue to cook and enjoy these traditional foods every day.
Samlor Korko (សម្លកកូរ)
Samlor Korko is one of the oldest traditional soups in Cambodia. It is made with many vegetables such as pumpkin, green papaya, eggplant, long beans, and herbs. It can also include fish, pork, or prahok for extra flavor.
This soup is thick and nutritious and is often cooked in large pots for the whole family. It represents Khmer tradition because it uses fresh ingredients from gardens and local farming.
Prahok Chomhoy ( ប្រហុកចំហុយ)
Prahok Chomhoy is a strong-flavored Khmer dish made from prahok (fermented fish paste) mixed with ingredients like pork, eggplant, herbs, and sometimes coconut milk. It is usually cooked in a pot and eaten with fresh vegetables and rice.
This dish is popular in rural and home cooking because it uses simple ingredients and has a rich, salty taste. Even though the smell is strong, many Cambodian families enjoy it as a comfort food.
Num Banh Chok ( នំបញ្ចុក)
Num Banh Chok is one of the most popular Khmer noodle dishes in Cambodia. It is made with fresh rice noodles served with green fish curry sauce made from fish and Khmer spice paste (*kroeung*), along with fresh vegetables and herbs such as cucumber, banana flower, morning glory, and bean sprouts.
Prahok K’tis (ប្រហុកខ្ទិះ)
Prahok K’tis is a creamy Khmer dish made with prahok, minced pork, coconut milk, onions, and chili. It is cooked until thick and served as a dipping dish.
Families usually eat it with fresh vegetables such as cucumbers, green beans, eggplant, and cabbage. It is a common home-cooked meal, especially for dinner.
Trey Ngeat (ត្រីងៀត)
Trey Ngeat is dried fish commonly eaten in Khmer homes. The fish is cleaned, salted, and sun-dried to preserve it for a long time. It is usually prepared by frying or grilling. The fish is lightly rinsed to reduce saltiness, then fried in hot oil until crispy and golden brown. Fried Trey Ngeat has a strong, salty flavor and is often eaten with steamed rice.
Khmer home-cooked meals show the importance of family, tradition, and simple living in Cambodia. These dishes are not only food, but also a way of keeping culture alive across generations. Check out these product at Food KH!
