Fish Amok (Amok Trey)

Amok is a famous traditional dish of Cambodia and a symbol when it comes to the culinary quintessence of the country. Cambodian fish amok combines many ingredients, such as fish, jaggery, coconut water, and prahok fish sauce, to create a unique flavor for the dish.

When you come to Cambodia, you will have many opportunities to enjoy this delicious dish in luxury restaurants, popular eateries, or even street food stalls.

Amok - Traditional Cuisine Of Cambodia

‘Amok’ or ‘Mok’ in Cambodian refers to steaming a dish wrapped in banana leaves. Amok in Cambodia has many ways to make depending on the main ingredients chosen, but there are mainly two types that are most commonly used: snakehead fish (fish amok) and chicken (chicken amok).

Amok is a sophisticated dish that requires much effort in preparation and processing. Instead of serving in a plate or cup, Cambodians use washed banana leaves, fold them into a bowl, and use toothpicks to hold them upright.

This makes amok Cambodian food more attractive in the eyes of tourists, and banana leaves are an excellent way to promote the image of Cambodia, a tropical country with a massive number of banana trees planted while contributing to environmental protection.

Amok Trey is a Cambodian cuisine with a strong flavor and a simple appearance, but it is created from many unique ingredients, including:

• About 500g of snakehead or catfish because these fish have a lot of meat and few bones, the fish is not brittle. Remove fish bones and cut them into thin slices.
• Kroeung herb/spice paste: 3 tbsp
• 2 or more dried chili peppers soaked in water, seeded and drained (can be substituted with a teaspoon of chili sauce)
• Fish sauce: 1 tablespoon
• Shrimp paste: 1 teaspoon
• Palm sugar: 2 teaspoons
• Coconut milk or canned coconut cream: 1/2 cup
• 2 beaten eggs
• 1 pinch of salt
• Nhor/noni leaves morinda citrifolia chopped: 1/4 cup

Kroeung Herb - An Important Ingredient Of Amok Trey

Garnish

• Coconut milk or canned coconut cream: 1 tablespoon
• Finely sliced ​​lime leaves or kaffir lime zest: 1 teaspoon
• 1 small or medium red chili, thinly sliced.

Coconut Milk

Cambodia's way of preparing fish amok also has many interesting points that attract diners and make the dish look fancier. Here are the steps to make a fish amok dish that you can refer to:

Traditional Amok Trey

Frizz Restaurant

• Address: 67 Street 240, Phnom Penh Cambodia
• Opening hours: 09:00 a.m - 10:00 p.m
• Price range: From US $5 - 10

Frizz Restaurant is a famous restaurant and one of the oldest cooking classes in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Professional chefs are well-trained to prepare the perfect fish amok. In addition, the restaurant serves some of the best amok and traditional Khmer dishes like Cambodian fish paste or Cambodian fish curry in town.

Cooking Class At Frizz Restaurant

The Sugar Palms

• Address: Street 27 opposite Pannasastra University, Siem Reap Cambodia
• Opening hours: 11:30 a.m - 2:30 p.m & 6:00 p.m - 10:00 p.m
• Price range: From US $5 - 10

The Sugar Palm is a famous restaurant with traditional Khmer dishes. Guests coming here will also be conveyed the colorful quintessence of the owner of traditional Khmer cuisine. This restaurant is also renowned for its fish Khmer dish with traditional preparation that you should not miss.

Elegant Interior Inside The Sugar Palms

Nary Kitchen

• Address: 32 N. 650, Group Prekmohatep, Svaypor, Battambang 02000 Cambodia
• Opening hours: 08:00 a.m - 10:00 p.m
• Price range: From US $5 - 10

Nary Kitchen is a famous restaurant in Battambang province of Cambodia. This is an ideal place for you to enjoy authentic fish amok and other delicious amok dishes.

Learn Cooking At Nary Kitchen

Malis Restaurant Phnom Penh

• Address: 136 Norodom Boulevard, Phnom Penh 12101 Cambodia
• Opening hours: 06:15 a.m - 9:15 p.m
• Price range: From US $8 - 35

This restaurant is run by a famous top chef, Luu Meng. Malis specializes in serving delicious Khmer dishes with modern processing. This restaurant has fulfilled its mission of reviving the unique flavors of the Khmer people, which were wiped out under the Khmer Rouge regime. When coming to Phnom Penh, you should take advantage of this remarkable place to eat fish amok.

Malis Restaurant With Deluxe White Design

Romdeng Restaurant

• Address: 74 Street 174, Phnom Penh Cambodia
• Opening hours: 06:15 am - 9:15 pm
• Price range: From US $5 - 30

Romdeng is a restaurant specializing in training for Friends International's culinary and hospitality students - disadvantaged young people. The restaurant serves a variety of modern dishes as well as traditional Cambodian dishes.

Graceful Style In Romdeng Restaurant

Amok steamed fish is a typical Cambodian dish that appears in daily meals and in luxury restaurants. Therefore, you should take advantage of the opportunity to enjoy this unique dish by finding your best Cambodian tour below.

Thanh Dat

(Image source: Internet)