Ingredient appreciation — what makes Kuy Teav special

What sets Kuy Teav apart is the handling of kaffir lime. In lesser versions this is treated as a background note. Here it's central and the delicate and herbal result shows it. I've started buying it to cook with at home after this experience.

prahok is a uniquely Cambodian ingredient that foreigners find challenging but locals consider essential. The a Phnom Penh riverside restaurant atmosphere was right for this kind of food. I had sugarcane juice as recommended and it matched well. If you want to understand what makes this cuisine distinctive, Kuy Teav is the place to start.