The Complete Cambodia Vegan Travel Guide

Is It Easy To Eat Vegan In Cambodia?

Cambodia is becoming more vegan-friendly each year, especially in major tourist hubs like Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Kampot. While the cuisine often includes meat, fish, and seafood, you can easily ask for your dishes to be prepared without these ingredients, as many dishes are made to order.

What You Should Know About Eating Vegan In Cambodia

• Fish Sauce & Shrimp Paste: These are common in many dishes, so it’s important to ask about them when ordering.
• Eggs: Many vegetarian dishes include eggs, especially in fried rice or noodle dishes, so always confirm with the restaurant staff if you’re not okay with eggs.
• Cross-Contamination: If you’re eating at street food stalls, be aware of possible cross-contamination, but you can avoid this by opting for vegan restaurants.
• Fruit and Vegetables: Fresh fruit and vegetables are abundant and often 100% vegan! Don’t miss out on enjoying the tropical produce Cambodia offers.

Vegan-Friendly Cambodian Ingredients

Cambodia's cuisine includes many plant-based ingredients that fit perfectly into a vegan diet:

• Rice: Both sticky and white rice are staples and naturally vegan.
• Tofu: Widely available in most restaurants, tofu can be included in soups, stir-fries, and salads.
• Fresh Vegetables: Cambodians use a wide variety of fresh vegetables like morning glory, cabbage, and carrots.
• Tropical Fruits: Mango, papaya, pineapple, and watermelon are available throughout Cambodia and are great for snacking.

Vegan Street Food In Cambodia

While street food in Cambodia is known for meat-based dishes, there are still some accidentally vegan options available:

• Chive Cakes: These rice flour cakes are stuffed with chives and fried in coconut oil.
• Sticky Rice in Bamboo: A traditional Cambodian snack made of glutinous rice wrapped in bamboo, perfect for a quick bite.
• Fruit Juices & Smoothies: Available at many stalls; just ask for no condensed milk.

Vegan Restaurants In Cambodia

Cambodia is home to a growing number of vegan-friendly eateries, especially in tourist-heavy cities. Here are some of the best spots to visit:

Vegan Restaurants In Phnom Penh

• Bong Bonlai at YK Art House: A fantastic Asian-Mediterranean fusion restaurant serving a variety of plant-based options including burgers, sushi, and moussaka.
• Sacred Lotus Café: A fully vegan restaurant offering a range of delicious plant-based meals and also serving as a guesthouse.
• Surn Yi Mei Shi Guan: Known for its noodle dishes, mock meats, and veggie burgers, Surn Yi Mei Shi Guan is a great budget-friendly option.
• Cuffeine Plant-Based Coffee: A must-visit for coffee lovers, serving soy and oat milk lattes and other plant-based beverages.

Vegan Restaurants In Siem Reap

• Siem Reap is a haven for vegan travelers, with numerous cafes and restaurants offering delicious plant-based meals:
• HeyBong – The Healthy Secrets: Known for its tasty vegan options like pandan pancakes and gyro wraps.
• Banlle Vegetarian Restaurant: A serene spot offering authentic Cambodian vegan dishes, such as mushroom lok lak and fermented tofu curry.
• Sambo Restaurant: With a vegan menu that features plant-based versions of traditional Cambodian dishes like Amok and lok lak.

Vegan Restaurants In Kampot

• While Kampot is smaller, it still has a variety of vegan-friendly restaurants:
• Deva Café: A fully vegan café known for its Khmer-inspired dishes like vegan amok, pad thai, and curry.
• Simple Things: Offering a mix of Western and Cambodian food, with standout dishes like crispy tofu wraps.

Cambodian Vegan Recipes

• There are several traditional Cambodian dishes that can easily be made vegan, or are naturally plant-based:
• Laap (Larb): A traditional dish made with minced meat, but can be easily veganized with mushrooms or tofu.
• Amok: A famous Cambodian dish made with coconut milk and tofu or vegetables.
• Noodle Soup: Made with vegetable broth, tofu, and fresh herbs, perfect for a vegan meal.
• Sweet Potato Curry: A fragrant curry made with coconut milk, vegetables, and sweet potatoes.

Conclusion

Cambodia is quickly becoming a great destination for vegan travelers, offering a range of delicious plant-based dishes and expanding vegan options in major cities. With its Buddhist heritage, local markets brimming with fresh produce, and more vegan restaurants opening each year, Cambodia is a fantastic place to explore as a vegan.

Enjoy the tropical fruits, delicious vegan-friendly dishes, and the beautiful culture Cambodia has to offer!