Phnom Penh’s Culinary Underground: Local Food Tour by Tuk-tuk
- 3h 30m
- Free cancellation up to 24h before
- Guided in English
- Instant confirmation
Highlights
Enjoy unlimited food and beer and/or soft drinks on this authentic evening food tour by tuktuk that gets you deep into our favorite neighborhoods where locals eat. During this adventure you’ll discover how deep Cambodian cuisine reaches within Southeast Asian culture. This experience goes beyond the usual market and street food samples to shine a light into local life that can still be found hiding in Phnom Penh. We'll visit 4 authentic sit-down eateries plus a local bar, including the best versions of our favorite dishes. We'll explore local neighborhoods by tuktuk, with unlimited cold beer in hand, and enjoy the evening with your local foodie guide. Our goal isn't just to eat a LOT (which we'll do!), but show you every part of the process and tell you about each dish and each vendor. This is why we visit mom & pop style shops who have become a local staple in their neighborhoods.
Inclusions
What's included
- Hotel Pickup & Drop-off
- Unlimited local beer, soft drinks, and bottled water
- Small-group tour (2-12 people)
- Private tuktuk transportation
- Food at 4 sit-down, safe-to-eat restaurants
What's not
- Gratuities
Itinerary
Taste a time where Cambodian kings rode armored elephants into battle, where the Tonle Sap lake was only known by legend as the “Land of Gold” to far-off Indian empires, and Spanish invaders on the Mekong brought the Khmer cities of Chatamouk and Longvek to its knees through cannon fire. Dishes that were created and defined through pivotal moments of history persist through the centuries despite the efforts of the Khmer Rouge to isolate and eliminate local food culture. Come and see what they tried to destroy and couldn’t, and taste the act of rebellion by local chefs who dared to remember and rediscover these recipes in a post-civil war era.
Khmer Curry Noodles: Try humble 5th century noodles that predate the Angkorian Empire alongside local patrons at simple tables and chairs, as they have for centuries. This is Cambodian comfort food that is popular for breakfast through dinner.
Stews & Stir-fries: Try three (or more) low-and-slow stews and stir-fries at Phnom Penh’s busiest roadside eatery. These are ancestral dishes born deep within countryside homes, now served by a family on the streets of the capitol city.
Slow-roasted Ribs: Located across the street from the museum, meet Auntie Song’s family, who’s pork short ribs once made a guest claim they “made me believe in Santa again.” Served alongside a special dish brought daily from Battambang province that features seasoned fish cakes grilled in banana leaves.
Fish Amok, Local Curry, and More: Sample golden-age ingredients and dishes at a trendy and lush setting hidden from the bustle of the city. These are the best versions of Cambodia’s go-to dishes.
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.
Reviews
4.9
- 5248
- 48
- 33
- 20
- 11
Ratings come from 260 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.
Showing reviews written in English.
5Fantastic food tour with Chea
This was our second tour in Cambodia with Lost Plate, and it was just as great as the first! We loved exploring Phnom Penh and trying so many new dishes at local restaurants – everything was delicious. It was also fantastic getting to know Chea and hearing more about Cambodia and Phnom Penh from him. He was a brilliant tour guide, really friendly and knowledgeable, and we had such a good laugh with him along the way. We had a great time and would highly recommend this tour!
5Incredible food tour with our amazing guide Chea
We did a Lost Plates food tour in Siem Reap and we enjoyed it so much that we wanted to do another in Phnom Penh. The tour was absolutely amazing, we went to a number of different places and tried lots of great local foods in restaurants tourists wouldn’t usually go to. Our guide, Chea was absolutely amazing. He was so charismatic, funny and a great person to spend time with whilst going round a busy city. We got on so well and he was a big reason why the experience was so special. Chea is such an interesting person and works so hard to make sure you’re having the best time. There is lots of food so arrive hungry. I highly recommend doing food tours with Lost Plates
5The Best Food Tour in Phnom Penh. Thank You, Bong Chea
Without a doubt, this was one of the highlights of my trip to Cambodia. If you're visiting Phnom Penh and want an authentic experience, book this tour! You won't regret it! Our guide, Bong Chea, was amazing. He was funny, energetic, and made everyone feel comfortable from the very beginning. His passion for Cambodian food and culture really showed throughout the entire evening. He didn't just take us to incredible local restaurants he explained the history behind the dishes, shared stories about everyday life in Cambodia, and even taught us some Khmer along the way. Thanks to him, I left knowing a few useful phrases and with a much deeper appreciation for the local culture. The food was outstanding. Every stop was a hidden gem that I never would have found on my own. Riding through Phnom Penh by tuk-tuk at night added to the adventure, and every restaurant served delicious, authentic Khmer food. The portions were generous, and by the end of the tour I was completely full and smiling. What made this experience truly special was Bong Chea. His sense of humor kept everyone laughing, his knowledge made every stop interesting, and his genuine kindness made the tour feel like we were exploring the city with a friend instead of just following a guide. Thank you, Bong Chea, for an unforgettable evening and for sharing your beautiful culture with us. This wasn't just an amazing food tour it was one of the best travel experiences I've ever had. I highly recommend Lost Plate Phnom Penh Food Tours to anyone visiting Cambodia. Five stars isn't enough!
5The Lost Plate is a great find!
Our guide, Chea, could not have done enough for us. We ate, we laughed, we drank. We ate at both restaurants and street food- all incredible, packed with stories, history and flavour. We only had one day in Phnom Penh but this was the best possible way we could have spent our time, and finished in the cool of the evening with a walk through the Russian market and a cocktail at a rooftop bar. 10/10 recommend!!!
5Great food. Fun night. Exceptional guide.
Fantastic night visiting some incredible places. Food I have never even heard of? It loved. It was explained with expert knowledge in a very friendly and approachable way but our guide who was absolutely great. Would definitely recommend.
5Fun and Delicious way to explore Phnom
My group of four booked this experience to try out Cambodian food from around Phnom Penh. We are Cambodian and familiar with Khmer cuisine but didn’t want to chance eating something that could make us sick so we left it in the hands of our wonderful tour guide. The tour is well organized starting with the coordination of the tuk tuk pick up, all the way to the specific restaurants and menus. Our guide was Chea who is warm, welcoming and enthusiastic about sharing his knowledge of the city, the food and Cambodian culture. We went to 6 different locations that started with nom banh chok all the way to dessert of nom pler eye and ended the night with cocktails on a rooftop bar. Needless to say we were stuffed and a little tipsy 😂 the drivers were quiet but they were accommodating, if you needed a water or an extra beer, you weren’t left needed one for long. A couple feedback items, expanding hotel pick up locations, a food rating card are nice to have. The team is always in communication with you and Chea took great pictures and shared them promptly with us. It’s a wonderfully delicious tour!
Know before you go
- Pickup
- Pickup is included for everyone.
- Ticket type
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Group size
- Up to 10 travellers
- Operated by
- Lost Plate
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
How it compares in Phnom Penh
- Its from-price is 41% above the median of the 23 food tours we list in Phnom Penh.
- Its length is typical for the group.
- By number of reviews it ranks 2 of 23.
- The operator lists free cancellation on it.
About Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh is Cambodia's riverside capital, where a gilded royal palace, French-era boulevards and markets sit beside memorials to the Khmer Rouge years.
The Royal Palace, with its tall pointed spires, and the neighbouring Silver Pagoda, whose floor is laid with silver tiles, stand close to the riverfront promenade where the Mekong and Tonlé Sap meet. Wat Phnom, a small hill temple, gave the city its name, and the National Museum, in a red Khmer-style building, holds a major collection of Angkorian sculpture. Art Deco Central Market and the busy Russian Market are good places to wander.
Top-ranked sights in Phnom Penh: Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21), Choeung Ek Genocidal Center (Choeung Ek Killing Fields), Royal Palace.
Special offers in Phnom Penh
Was/now prices come from the operator, never from us.
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