Prahok
Cambodia's powerful fermented fish paste
Think of it as: Like anchovy paste that aged into a stinky blue cheese
Cambodian cheese. Except it's fish.
What does it taste like?
Very salty, deeply savory, with a pungent aroma.
SweetSpicySourSaltyFunkSmellTextureThick and pasty
What is it?
Small river fish crushed, salted and fermented for months into a pungent paste. Nicknamed Cambodian cheese for its smell, it seasons countless Khmer dishes.Source: Wikipedia
How locals eat it
Added sparingly to soups and stir-fries, or cooked with pork into prahok ktis, a dip for vegetables.
Watch it
More videos on YouTubeWhere is it from?
🇰🇭Cambodia
CapitalPhnom Penh
Populationabout 18 millionestimate (unverified)
IndustriesGarment manufacturing, Tourism, Farming (rice)
Famous peopleJayavarman VIIThe king who built Angkor Thom
HelloChumreap suor (Khmer)
CurrencyRiel (US dollars are widely used too)
And JapanThe "Kizuna Bridge," built with Japanese support, spans the Mekong River.
Fun factA rare country with a building (Angkor Wat) on its flag.
The flag🇰🇭 Angkor Wat in the center stands for the nation's history, blue for the monarchy, and red for the people.
From Tokyoabout 4,400 kmstraight line, Tokyo to Phnom Penh
Getting thereabout 6-7 hours from Tokyo (direct)rough guide
✈ Check cheap flights Best timeThe dry season from November to March is best. Also tryAmokNum banh chokLok lak More from here🕷️ Fried spider
✈ Check cheap flights Best timeThe dry season from November to March is best. Also tryAmokNum banh chokLok lak More from here🕷️ Fried spider
🇰🇭 Sounds & life in Cambodia
សួស្តីHello（Chumreap suor (Khmer)）
Khmer script
Khmer script
Right now…
Anthem"Nokor Reach"
MusicKhmer pop Cambodian rock-pop that blossomed in the '60s
SportSoccer
Hiroshi Neko (marathon; Japanese-born, ran for Cambodia at the Rio Olympics) World HeritageAngkor and more National animalKouprey (a wild ox) National flowerRumdul FestivalKhmer New Year (mid-April, New Year festival)
MusicKhmer pop Cambodian rock-pop that blossomed in the '60s
SportSoccer
Hiroshi Neko (marathon; Japanese-born, ran for Cambodia at the Rio Olympics) World HeritageAngkor and more National animalKouprey (a wild ox) National flowerRumdul FestivalKhmer New Year (mid-April, New Year festival)
Ingredients
- 5 kg small freshwater fish
- 1 kg salt
Can't find it? Anchovy paste or fish sauce gets you a little closer.
How to make it (one way)
- Remove heads, guts and scales.
- Crush the fish by treading on them in a basket.
- Dry in the sun for a day.
- Mix with salt and pack into jars.
- Ferment for months, then use a little at a time.
⚠️ Not a home project. The smell is intense.