Ingredient appreciation — what makes Nom Banh Chok special

What sets Nom Banh Chok apart is the handling of kroeung lemongrass paste. In lesser versions this is treated as a background note. Here it's central and the lightly sweet and fragrant result shows it. I've started buying it to cook with at home after this experience.

Cambodian cuisine shares roots with Thai and Vietnamese cooking but has its own distinct identity shaped by Khmer culture. The a Siem Reap market food stall atmosphere was right for this kind of food. I had fresh coconut water as recommended and it matched well. If you want to understand what makes this cuisine distinctive, Nom Banh Chok is the place to start.