Top Cambodian Banana Desserts

Khmer cuisine is getting popular among food lovers and travelers. It will be a mistake if you don't try at least one Cambodian banana dessert when visiting the country. Cambodia is rich in fruits, providing a good source for them to make different types of natural desserts. Bananas are one of the most popular ingredients for making sweet dishes in Cambodia. 

Let's follow along to learn more about these amazing snacks

About Of Cambodian Banana Dessert

Cambodian banana dessert is a quintessential part of the cuisine of this Southeast Asian country. It represents the local's creativity in creating fine dishes with different cooking methods such as boiling, frying, steaming, etc. There are various types of sweet courses made from bananas. Most of them are said to be healthy and nutritious and make you quite full after enjoying them. 

Some of the desserts are traditional dishes that local people make during festivals or holidays, but you can still easily find them in food stalls on the streets or markets. Some other banana dessert versions are said to have originated from China, while others are created and modified with western cuisine and served in fine restaurants.

As bananas are the main ingredients, desserts are usually smooth and slightly sweet. Cambodian chiefs made these snacks by combining the fruit with starch, rice, or rice paper. Foreigners, especially foreigners, may feel it unfamiliar at first, yet delighted after the first bite. The combination of bananas and other ingredients gives the dishes the perfect harmony in structure and taste.

Are you feeling mouth-watering already? Let's get to the list below to find out our favorite Cambodian banana dessert. 

 

1. Chak Ktiss

Chak Ktiss

The first candidate is Chak Ktiss, or Banana Tapioca Coconut Cream, a popular dessert found in many markets in Cambodia. It's very simple and easy to make. You just need a few ingredients and spend around 15-20 minutes to have it done. If you fall in love with bananas and coconut, you shouldn't miss trying the Chak Ktiss.

Ingredients

• Fresh yellow bananas: 3 
• Sargo seed: 5gr
• Coconut cream: ⅕ can
• Sugar: 20gr

How to cook

1. Peel the bananas, and wash them well. 
2. Slice the bananas into four pieces and put them in salt water.
3. Soak the sargo seed in water for 2-3 minutes.
4. Boil water in a saucepan, add sargo seeds, and cook for 4 minutes.
5. Place the bananas inside and boil for another 4 minutes.
6. Add salt, sugar, and coconut cream
7. Set low heat and wait til the sugar is dissolved.
8. Serve the dish in a bowl and enjoy.

 

2. Num Ansom Chek

Num Ansom Chek

Num Ansom Chek, or Rolled Banana Rice Cake, is the next Cambodian banana dessert that will delight your taste buds. Locals usually cook this dish for important celebrations in the country. However, it's not difficult to find them served in markets and restaurants across the country. 

This traditional Cambodian snack includes all common ingredients. Sometimes, when people don't have bananas, they replace them with mango or jackfruit. After cooking, this sweet delicacy comes in a cylindrical-like shape and can stay for days as it's wrapped and steamed in banana leaves. 

Ingredients

• Ripe bananas: 3
• Sweet glutinous rice (soaked in water for at least 6 hours): 1 ½ cup
• Grated coconut: ¾ cup
• Salt
• Banana leaves to wrap: size 15x20cm

How to cook

1. Pour away the water from the soaked rice.
2. Mix the rice with grated coconut.
3. Peel and cut the bananas into half pieces. Put some salt on them.
4. Take a small portion of mixed rice and grated coconut and place them on the banana leaf. Make sure you put them in a horizontal shape along the longer side of the leaf. 
5. Put the banana on top of the rice and cover it with rice again. Don't overtop it; otherwise, it's difficult to wrap.
6. Roll the leaf and seal its two heads. You should not warp it too loose or too tight, so the mixture can be in a mold without ripping its cover. 
7. Steam the rolls for 60 minutes.
8. Wait for it to cool down, unwrap and enjoy.

 

3. Chek Chien

Chek Chien

Talking about Cambodian banana dessert, we should not miss Chek Chien, Fried Banana Nuggets. Bananas are abundant in the country, and locals know how to turn them into delicacies. In this case, it's the combination of the fruits and rice paper (the one used for spring rolls) that is deep fried. Chek Chien will be tastier with a portion of Kampot pepper or vanilla ice cream. 

This sweet course is usually served in fine restaurants as a perfect choice to end your meal. However, it's not difficult to cook it at home by yourself.

Ingredients

• Rice papers or spring roll sheets
• Bananas: 3
• Sugar: 1 tbsp
• Powdered sugar: 3 tbsp
• Vanilla extract: ¾ tsp
• Cooking oil

How to cook

1. Cut the rice papers into half.
2. Peel the bananas and cut them into chunks.
3. Mix the banana chunks with sugar and vanilla extract, then put them on the rice papers and roll.
4. Heat up the oil in the frying pan. Fry the banana chunks until they turn to golden color. 
5. Take the pieces out and sprinkle them with powdered sugar. Place them on a plate and serve with a bowl of vanilla ice cream.

 

4. Chek Cheung Skor

Chek Cheung Skor

Choosing your favorite Cambodian banana dessert will be harder when you know about Chek Cheung Skor. This Khmer delicacy is the caramelized sugar and banana combination that is super simple and easy to make. You just need to spend around half an hour to get all the preparation done.

The ingredients are easy to find, only bananas and sugar. Many people love this delicious dessert, especially kids. The dish is suitable for everybody, including vegans.

Ingredients

• Ripe bananas: 8 small ones 
• Sugar: 2 ½ cups
• Water 

How to cook

1. Put the peeled bananas in a pot, cover them with water, and boil on low/ medium heat for 10 minutes. 
2.  Use a skimmer to take out the bananas.
3. Add sugar to the cooking water, and cook at low heat until you see a light brown color.
4. Put the bananas back inside the mixture, add 3 tbsp of boiling water, and cook until you get a sticky sauce.
5. Place the bananas on a plate, add the sauce on top, and you're good to go.

 

Where To Eat

1. Fresh Fruit Factory

Address: #155 Taphul Road, Siem Reap Cambodia

Opening hours: 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM

Average price: $4 - $7

2. Nary Kitchen

Address: 32 N. 650, Group Prekmohatep, Svaypor, Battambang 02000 Cambodia

Opening hours: 08:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Average price: $4 - $7

3. Banana Leaf Cambodia

Address: 41 199 Preah Norodom Blvd, Phnom Penh 12000 Cambodia

Opening hours: 10:00 AM - 2:30 PM

5:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Average price: $5 - $25

 

Cambodian banana dessert is a perfect choice to end your delicious meal in the country. To make sure you don't miss your chance to try it, as well as other local delicacies, contact BestPrice Travel so we can help you out!

Thu Trang

Source: Internet