Khmer food

Khmer food is a delicious hybrid of Vietnamese, Thai, and Indian
flavors, punctuated by unique surprises, such as star anise, as well
as others.

We've had numerous versions of amok--a traditional Khmer curry that is
often green in color and always mild in flavor. In Siem Reap, we had
fish amok and a tofu amok cooked in a squash shell. We even bought an
amok spice mix home with us.

Sometimes though, one craves the flavors of home. So the night before
last, we had pizza. Not bad: good crust, tasty sauce, lots of cheese
and special Cambodian herbs and spices.

In Phnom Penh, there are also numerous cafes and restaurants where you
can eat while supporting disadvantaged populations. We dined at
Friends, pictured here, last night. Friends provides vocational
training in restaurant and hospitality services to former street kids.
It was the most attentive service we had received in any bar or
restaurant in Cambodia hands down. Proceeds from the restaurant
support additional services to 1800 street kids every day. The
organization runs two restaurants, a couple of craft stores (some that
feature pieces made by the kids, another that sells the work of their
parents to prevent them from sending their kids to the streets to
support the family) and even a nail salon. And, by the way, they do
serve food--the pumpkin soup and shrimp wontons were particularly
delicious.