Pairing Banh Chiao correctly — a note on sugarcane juice

Most people overlook how much the right drink changes Banh Chiao. I ordered it with sugarcane juice and the lightly sweet and fragrant elements of the dish sharpened considerably against the pairing. banana blossom in particular became more prominent in a good way.

prahok is a uniquely Cambodian ingredient that foreigners find challenging but locals consider essential. The a Siem Reap market food stall is where you learn these pairings — they evolved together. If you've been having Banh Chiao with the wrong drink, try it correctly once. It's a genuinely different experience. The restaurant deserves credit for getting this right.