A Taste of Phnom Penh: Food Tour Review & 5 Top Picks
One of the first things we did when we landed in Phnom Penh was to take a food tour, and we were glad we did! We’ll share what we learned, what we loved about the experience, and what you can expect from a food tour in the Cambodian capital.
We have also included a few other highly rated food tours of Phnom Penh that may be a better fit for your travels. Some of these we considered, or would take on our next trip. Whether you are interested in an evening tour, a morning tour, to explore the food markets, we have the best Phnom Penh food tour for you.
We spent several weeks in Cambodia during our Family Year Out, when our kids were 6 and 9. Phnom Penh was where we started, and we loved exploring the city. We had visited Cambodia before and knew what to expect from the food, so we were excited to dig into traditional Cambodian dishes and Khmer culture!
This article may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if a reader clicks through and makes a purchase. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. All our recommendations are our own and are in no way influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative.
At the bottom of this post, download free Mobile Wallpaper images to satisfy your wanderlust!
20 tastings & Drinks Included
1-8 Guests, 4-Hour Tour
Why Take a Food Tour in Phnom Penh?
A food tour is a great way to acclimate to a new country. Not only do you get to try all types of new and yummy food, but a tour is an excellent opportunity to ask questions, meet other travelers, learn a little bit of the language, and start to learn more about the culture.
A food tour also takes you around to various areas of the city, so you’ll get an idea of the layout of the area you are staying in, and can make mental notes about places you may want to return to. Your tour guide will also usually give you a list at the end of the tour of restaurants and city highlights they recommend to their guests.
If you are planning to visit Cambodia, you are likely going to visit Angkor Wat in Siem Reap. You can check out our articles on Siem Reap Food Tours and the best coffee in Siem Reap. We also have details on where to eat in Siem Reap, from traditional foods to bagels, and the best things to do in Siem Reap besides the temples. And of course, we have an article about visiting the famous Angkor temples!
We loved Siem Reap, and have visited more than once, but we also found a lot to love in Phnom Penh, so don’t skip it! There are plenty of things to do in Phnom Penh, from the famous killing fields, to more family-friendly activities.
The Best Phnom Penh Food Tours
These are the best food tours in Phnom Penh- from evening group tours to private or morning tours, there’s a great Phnom Penh food tour for you. All of these tours will introduce you to the city and the Khmer culture as a whole.
1. Ultimate PP Food Tour by Tuk Tuk
🌟 Rating: 5 Stars ⏳ 4 Hours ✅ Small Group, Amazing Reviews 🔎 Check Rates
This four-hour food tour has over 300 five-star reviews and is the tour we went on. It is a small tour, with up to 8 guests and a guide. They will come and pick you up at your hotel via tuk-tuk and drop you off there at the end of your night.
We’ll go through the details of our tour and what we enjoyed about it. Keep in mind that each tour varies a bit, and may not visit the exact locations, or include the same dishes as our specific evening.
Our Food Tour Experience
We were picked up at our hotel at 5:45 in the evening by our tour guide, Jackson. As there were four of us (two adults and two kids), we joined three other travelers for our tour. Our group included a couple from Australia and a single guy from Ireland.
We had two tuk-tuks for the evening, our guide alternated riding in each one so we all got a chance to chat with him and ask questions in between food stops.
Throughout the evening, drinks were unlimited, we could choose from cold water, Cambodian beer, or sugar cane juice. Our tour made 7 stops, including local family stalls, the Russian Market, a sit-down meal with live music, traditional sweets from a roadside vendor, and finally a cafe with cocktails (or mocktails).
On our first stop, we tasted homemade pickles and rice noodles served with greens and yellow flowers (Num Banh Chok). We also enjoyed a soup with lemongrass and fish paste (Somlor Proher). Lemongrass is a common ingredient in Khmer dishes, and is mild but flavorful.
Overall, you will find most dishes are not spicy. There is often a small dish of chili sauce on the table so you can add spice if you prefer. Our kids are not spicy food eaters, and they had no problem with any of the foods on this tour.
The kids felt very welcome on the tour. Cambodia is a very family-friendly place, and our guide was happy to answer all of their questions and make sure they had drinks and options they enjoyed. Don’t hesitate to bring your kids along!
At our second stop, we watched a woman make coconut rice balls (Num Krok), as well as a traditional yellow pancake with filling (Bahn Xiao). We then sat down to eat. This is similar to a pancake we had in Vietnam, where you tear off pieces of the pancake and fill them with greens yourself.
One of the pancakes had meat, the other did not, so you could choose a vegetarian meal if you prefer. Do let the tour group know ahead of time if you are a vegetarian, as several of the stops include meat options.
Our next few stops included tasting a pork sandwich that was similar to a Bahn mi (Nom Pan Pate), then a walk through the Russian Market, a BBQ stand with both pork and duck options, and fresh jackfruit from the market.
The Main Meal
We then drove to a sit-down restaurant with a live band for our “main meal”. As you can see, make sure you come hungry! Many dishes were ordered and appeared on our table, and our tuk-tuk drivers joined us for the meal.
One of the most interesting dishes we tried was a stir-fried beef dish that included red tree ants. While the crunch was unique, I’m glad I tried it without having to order a full plate for myself! This is one of the things we most enjoy about food tours- being introduced to dishes that are slightly outside our comfort zone, by someone who can explain them (and serve you small portions to try)!
At the main meal, we also had some of the most famous Khmer dishes, such as Fish Amok (Coconut Curry Stew), Lok Lak (Stir-fried Beef), fried frog, stir-fried morning glories, a tofu dish, and squid with green Kampot peppers.
I’m sure there was more, it was a full table! It was a very relaxed atmosphere, there was plenty of food, and you were welcome to try (or skip) whatever appealed to you.
The Final Stops
After our main meal, we went to a street stall, where we watched a woman prepare a special dessert made from sugar cane, coconut, sesame, and condensed milk wrapped in a pandan pancake. This was probably the kids’ favorite!
From here, we finished our night at the beautiful Sundown Social Club, where everyone ordered a cocktail of choice. The kids got a mocktail- there were four options for them to choose between, and they loved the chance to enjoy a fancy drink. This was a great way to unwind with the group, as it was much quieter than our dinner stop.
Our Conclusion
Overall, this was a great tour and a great way to start our trip through Cambodia. We had arrived in Phnom Penh just the evening before, so had spent a full day walking around on our own, and were happy to meet other travelers and have a wonderful guide to answer all our questions, whether food-related or not!
After our tour, our guide was also communicative and happy to recommend additional places to eat or visit via WhatsApp.
“Amazing tour with some amazing food, vibes, and tour guide – JB!! Tried some food that I never thought I would, and loved every bit of it. Highly recommend for anyone who wants a taste of local Cambodia food with some great insights into the culture.”
Michael l. (Read more reviews)
This tour is terrific as it takes you to out-of-the-way, clean, well-established places that you wouldn’t necessarily find on your own. The guides are local and knowledgeable, passionate about their country and the food, and sharing it with you.
Book Now: Ultimate PP Food Tour by Tuk Tuk
2. Phnom Penh: Morning Market & Street Art Food Tour
🌟 Rating: 5 Stars ⏳ 3.5 Hours ✅ Small Group Tour, Amazing Reviews 🔎 Check Rates
We loved the tour we took, but if visiting again, we would choose this tour. It’s by the same company, so we know it will be great. The tour we took ended quite late- we were out enjoying cocktails until after 10 pm, which was tough with kids. They were champs, but other families may prefer a morning tour to avoid the late night.
This is a great tour if you are a morning person and want to see how Cambodia wakes up! The tour starts at a local food market for snacks, culture, and breakfast. You will then explore the city and its various alleyways and see over 40 street art murals.
Many traditional Khmer noodle dishes are only eaten for breakfast, so you will try specialties that you would miss on an evening food tour. And, did we mention the amazing sesame donuts?
After your first breakfast, you’ll explore the city and see street art (with a guide to explain the meaning, of course!), then head to a second breakfast and foodie shop.
Pick-up for this tour is at 8:30 am, and it lasts around 3.5 hours. This is a small group tour with a maximum of 8 guests. We love these small tours as you can ask lots of questions and have the opportunity to really interact with the guide.
“I had a lovely day with Jamie who shared his great knowledge about cooking Khmer food and the influence of history into the streetart of Phnom Penh. Very interesting, funny and the food was amazing. I can fully recommend this tour to everyone who is interested in learning new things and has an open mind to enjoy different sides of cambodian culture.”
Andrea b. (Read more reviews)
This food tour is offered by the same company we used for our evening tour and has over a hundred 5-star reviews. Make sure you come hungry!
Book Now: Phnom Penh: Morning Market & Street Art Tour
3. Phnom Penh Evening Foodie Vespa Tour
🌟 Rating: 5 Stars ⏳ 4.5 Hours ✅ Small Private Tour, Great Reviews 🔎 Check Rates
This tour uses Vespas instead of tuk-tuks. Including up to six guests, this is a fun way to see Phnom Penh and take a food tour. Don’t worry, you do not have to drive the Vespa, there is a driver for each Vespa, so you are free to look about, enjoy the city, and not have to worry about enjoying all the drinks that are included.
This is a fun way for adventurous couples or friends to buzz around the city, but not a good option for families with young kids as each Vespa holds one guest. It is also the fastest and easiest way to get around the city and explore the nightlife and wonderful street food scene.
The tour takes you to the Kandal Market and the Russian Market, and ends the night at Backstreet Bar on Bassac Street (Street 308). You’ll have the chance to taste some adventurous food options from insects to buffalo meat.
“Riding through the lively streets was thrilling, and Lucky’s energy and knowledge made the tour even more enjoyable. The food stops were fantastic—one of the highlights was the Nam Banh Chok, a delicious Cambodian noodle dish with fresh herbs and a flavorful broth. Every dish we tried was authentic and full of flavor.”
Mila- (Read more reviews)
This is a great tour for those a little more adventurous and want to see more of the city and nightlife. This tour ends in a very touristy bar-heavy area of the city and is perfect for people wanting to go from the tour to a night out on the town.
Book Now: Phnom Penh Evening Foodie Vespa Tour
4. Phnom Penh’s Culinary Underground Food Tour
🌟 Rating: 4.9 Stars ⏳ 3 1/2 Hours ✅ Small Tour, Great Reviews 🔎 Check Rates
This tour by Lost Plate provides 4 sit-down restaurant experiences with unlimited local beer, soft drinks, and bottled water included. This tour will take you to local places with no signs, and you’ll try everything from noodles with fish curry to rice dishes with pork belly and duck eggs.
“Neara was an amazing guide! She told us the stories behind each restaurant and the food we were trying. I would have never gone to the places on my own and it was so cool to go by tuk tuk. 10/10 recommend.”
jennifer c. (Read more reviews)
This is run by a larger company, Lost Plate, that operates in 12 different cities, mostly in Asia. Their guides consistently get great reviews for being local, friendly, and well-informed.
Book Now: Phnom Penh’s Culinary Underground: Local Food Tour
5. Phnom Penh Evening Food Tour By Local
🌟 Rating: 4.9 Stars ⏳ 4 1/3 Hours ✅ Private Tour, Great Reviews 🔎 Check Rates
This is another option for a small group food tour that gets great reviews. You’ll visit several street stalls as you travel the city in your tuk-tuk. Dishes include specialties like banana flowers with shrimp, and smoky eggplant with pork. You’ll visit the Russian Market and end your tour with a rooftop cocktail.
“We had some delicious food in authentic restaurants where the locals go. Our guide was really knowledgeable and made the whole evening great fun. A great experience!”
Loiuse T. (Read more reviews)
The reviews of this tour specifically reference the friendly and informative guides who made the tour feel special.
Book Now: Phnom Penh Authentic Evening Food Tour 100% By Local
Should I Take a Food Tour in Siem Reap or Phnom Penh?
Why not both? We took a food tour in Siem Reap as well as Phnom Penh and did not find that specific dishes overlapped. The tours are usually run by locals and focus on dishes that are very specific to the city.
However, if you only have time for one food tour, we recommend Phnom Penh because it is a great introduction to Cambodia and a great use of your time in the city.
In Siem Reap, there are so many wonderful, fun, and educational things to do, and many more restaurants that are easily within walking distance of the tourist area. Phnom Penh tends to be a bit more spread out, so you’ll enjoy the tuk-tuk or Vespa ride around the city.
There You Have It
These are the best Phnom Penh food tours, whether you are looking for a small evening tour, a bigger group tour, a morning tour, or a night on the town via Vespa. We highly recommend the food tour we took with our family, but have provided options that may work better for younger friends or couples. We hope you choose one of these tours to explore Cambodian food- it is often overlooked and so delicious!
Spending a few days in Phnom Penh? We’ve got the best activities for all age ranges, and places to eat around town.
Headed to Siem Reap? Don’t miss our guide to the famous temples of Angkor Wat, where to get the best coffee, and all the wonderful things to do when you are tired of temples!
