My first couple of days in Phnom Penh, Cambodia were incredible.
I honestly had no idea what to expect, but Cambodia needed a few pins on the map—so I went. I was already in Vietnam, which made it an easy decision. A ferry, a bus ride, and a seamless visa process later, I was there. Why not? felt like the right travel philosophy in that moment.
What I found was a city with its own rhythm and personality. Even the night market felt different from anything I’d experienced in other parts of Asia—familiar in structure, but distinct in energy, food, and vibe.
It was one of those stops that reminds you why saying “yes” to the unknown.
It is almost always worth it!
When you’re up against the night markets of Thailand, Vietnam, Taiwan, and the Philippines, the bar is set incredibly high. Phnom Penh’s night market didn’t have the same sheer variety of goods or the endless maze of food options you find in those places.
But what it did have was character—and one standout that stole the show for me: Amok chicken with rice.
That dish alone was worth the stop. Creamy, fragrant, gently spiced, and deeply Cambodian—it felt like comfort food with a story behind it. Even without the overwhelming spectacle of other Asian night markets, that single plate made the experience memorable.
Sometimes it’s not about having everything.
Sometimes it’s about finding one thing that hits just right.
Amok is a traditional Cambodian dish and is widely considered the national dish of Cambodia. It’s often described as a light, fluffy curry made with steamed fish or chicken, cooked in coconut milk and a fragrant blend of spices, then served in a banana leaf. The most famous version is Fish Amok, made with local freshwater fish. It’s a cornerstone of Cambodian cuisine—celebrated for both its flavor and its cultural significance.
To me, it felt like a distant cousin of chicken tikka or curry chicken… only better.
Maybe it was the setting. Maybe it was the custom bamboo-leaf bowl. Maybe it was the fact that I was eating it in Cambodia, where it actually belongs. But whatever the reason, it was incredible. Creamy, aromatic, comforting, and unforgettable—the kind of dish that stays with you long after the plate is gone.