Cambodian Hot Pot: A Reason to Travel to Cambodia

Cambodian food may not be as well-known as Thai or Vietnamese, but the traditional food is worth traveling there for. Among the national dishes, like fish amok and lok lak stir fry, is Cambodian hot pot, a favorite among locals. It’s an exciting meal experience offering a wide range of flavors and yet another reason for Cambodia tours.

Cambodian Hot Pot Is the Most Favorite Cambodian Street Food

Cambodian hot pot is eaten everywhere, in restaurants and at home, and it’s popular as a Cambodian street food. Locally, it’s called Ya Hon and loved for the complex blend of flavors. Salty, spicy, creamy, sweet, every mouthful can bring something new.

Street vendors and small eateries will offer their unique twist on the taste with different herbs and spices like lemongrass, galangal, and kaffir lime leaves. It’s also highly valued for the experience. More than just eating, a Cambodian hot pot is a communal meal where family and friends can gather and spend time together while cooking and eating.

Cambodia Hot Pot

Cambodian Hot Pot Is Different from Chinese Hot Pot

Hot pot originated in China but has spread worldwide, even to Switzerland. The basic setup is familiar in any country that loves hot pot. A flavorful broth is boiled in a metal pot in the center of the table. During the meal, raw ingredients, like meats and vegetables, are added to the pot, cooked, and eaten.

Traditional Chinese hot pot comes in two main styles, northern and southern. Northern-style hot pots use a simpler broth, sometimes just water. Mutton and Chinese sauerkraut are common ingredients. Southern hot pots are a little more famous, using Sichuan pepper and chili peppers for a spicy and numbing flavor.

Cambodian hot pot adds many similar ingredients to the broth, like thinly sliced beef and pork, shrimp, mushrooms, and green vegetables. A notable difference is the use of coconut milk as the base for the soup. Cambodians also prefer dipping sauces that use tamarind, lime, and fish sauce.

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Ya Hon Soup Is the Key to Cambodian Hot Pot

A good Ya Hon Soup as a base is the most important part of a Cambodian hot pot. The broth is usually a little sour, with a rich flavor that local people find comforting. To make the soup base, common ingredients are tamarind paste, lemongrass, and lime juice. Some people will use tomato or pineapple, but the result is a unique, tangy taste.

Coconut milk is added to create the broth, and the whole combination is brought to a boil before adding other ingredients. Seasoning can be done to taste. Fish sauce, garlic, shallots, and chili peppers are all popular and help to create a complex flavor. Often, fresh herbs like cilantro and green onions are added as garnishes.

Cambodia Hot Pot Ya Hon Soup

5 Steps to Make Ya Hon Easily with a Recipe

Making Ya Hon can be very straightforward, just five steps to a great meal.

Step 1:
Wash and cut the ingredients. The vegetables, meat, and shrimp that will be eaten in the hot pot should be washed, cut, and arranged on plates in preparation.
Step 2:
Add coconut milk to the pot and turn on the heat. Add the broth ingredients, such as tamarind sauce and lime juice, and bring the broth to a boil.
Step 3:
Add any seasoning. Garlic, chili peppers, and fish sauce can be used according to taste.
Step 4:
Prepare the dipping sauce. Mince garlic and chili pepper, and add palm sugar, fish sauce, and lime juice. Add a little water to thin out the sauce.
Step 5:
Cook and eat the ingredients. Once the broth has boiled, reduce to a simmer and add ingredients. Different ingredients require different cooking times, but otherwise, you can eat the ingredients in any order you choose. Enjoy the cooked ingredients with the dipping sauce.

Top 3 Places to Eat Cambodian Hot Pot in Siem Reap & Phnom Penh

It’s easy to find a hot pot restaurant anywhere in Cambodia. Look for any restaurant with a lot of customers, and it will almost certainly be good. Here are some of the top places in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh.

Siem Reap

Soup Ko Ch’nang Dei Mort Sterng II
One of the longest-running eateries in Siem Reap, it is popular with both locals and tourists. They offer small and big hot pot sets with lots of ingredients.
Location: Vihear Chen Village (Behind Svay Dangkum Commune Office), Siem Reap City [Google Map]
Opening Hours: 4:00pm-10:00pm

Soup Mareas Siem Reap
Another classic Cambodian hot pot restaurant that offers interesting ingredient choices with bitter melon, fish balls, and seafood.
Location: Sivutha Road, Siem Rea City [Google Map]
Opening Hours: 5:00pm-12:00am

TT Restaurant
Open for almost 20 years, they offer a famous grouper fish soup hot pot served with mixed seafood and meatballs.
Location: Lok Ta Neuy Street, Wat Bo Village, Slor Kram Commune, Siem Reap City [Google Map]
Opening Hours: 4:00pm-12:00am

Siem Reap Soup Mareas

Phnom Penh

Lao Bao Hot Pot
A buffet-style hot pot with a wide selection of fresh meat and vegetables to choose from, plus a sauce bar to mix your ideal sauce.
Location: #253, St63, Trasok P'aem, Phnom Penh [Google Map]
Opening Hours: 11:00am-12:00am

Happy Lamb Hot Pot
It is one of the best in the city, serving Australian beef, pork, goat meat, and seafood.
Location: Samdach Sothearos Blvd (3), Phum 14, Songkat Tonle Bassac, Khan Chamkamorn, Phnom Penh City Phnom Penh [Google Map]
Opening Hours: 11:00am-02:00am

Tiem Mee Tee Muoy
A newly opened restaurant with hot pot sets and an extensive add-on menu to customize your meal.
Location: Street 108, Sangkat Wat Phnom [Google Map]
Opening Hours: 09:00am – 05:00pm

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Conclusion

Hot pot is a delicious, social culinary experience. A Cambodian hot pot will let you connect with local traditions and flavors, giving you a sense of the importance of food in the local culture.

Any good tour of Cambodia will include opportunities to try local cuisine, and hot pot has to be a part of that. Contact us for more information about Cambodian culinary tours, and start planning your vacation today.