Top 6 Khmer Chicken Dishes You Will Love

Borbor Sach Moun

The first one on the list belongs to Borbor Sach Moun. In English, this is a savory chicken rice porridge cooked in Cambodian style.

Due to its delicious taste as well as easiness in the making, chicken rice congee is very popular, and you can find it in many street food stalls or restaurants in Cambodia.

Borbor Sach Moun

The main ingredients for the dish are chicken meat and rice, however, you should choose Cambodian rice, such as Jasmine Rice (the most popular), or Sen Kra Ob, which will give the congee a more authentic Cambodian taste.

Jasmine Rice

Borbor Sach Moun is very easy to make, as the process is similar to normal congee.

First, chicken bones are boiled to make broth. Then, you will remove the bones and add rice, which is washed carefully, into the pot.

Until the texture is creamy and the rice is totally soft, add chicken (they must be cooked and shredded). It can be done after you finish continuing to boil the porridge for 5 - 10 mins.

Tips: The difference is that Borbor Sach Moun possesses a distinctive flavor of Cambodian food, by using local herbs and spices. It’s recommended to savor the dish with these:

• Ground Kampot pepper
• Fresh, thinly sliced ginger and chopped green onion
• A mix of fried garlic and shallots

Cha Kroeung Sach Moan

‘Cha’ in Khmer means stir-fried dishes, and Cha Kroeung Sach Moan is ‘lemongrass chicken stir-fry’, which is a stir-fried dish with 2 major ingredients: chicken and lemongrass.

This dish is served popularly in Cambodia at both restaurants and local vendors.

Cha Kroeung Sach Moan

Rich in flavor from typical spices in Southeast Asia countries, this Cambodian lemongrass chicken stir-fry will make you stunned right on the first try!

The making process is not complicated, if you have all the main ingredients of the dish, the cooking is not the problem.

• First of all, you will have to create a flavorful paste to marinate the chicken. The mixture includes lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, garlic, and shallots, which are ground together.
• Marinate sliced chicken with the paste, then stir-fry for 10 minutes until the chicken is cooked completely. Add Cambodian white pepper and some fresh chilies if you prefer some spiciness.
• Cha Kroeung Sach Moan is often served with rice.

Somlar Kari Saek Mouan

The Somlar Kari Saek Mouan translates to ‘Chicken Red Curry’ in English. The dish is a traditional Cambodian cuisine with kroeung as the main ingredient besides chicken. 

Featuring a harmoniously alluring taste from a variety of local ingredients, Chicken Red Curry of the Cambodian will definitely satisfy your taste buds, with both spicy and savory from chili, chicken, turmeric, as well as rich and creamy from coconut milk.

Somlar Kari Saek Mouan

To prepare Somlar Kari Saek Mouan, first you need to make the Kroeung Kraham (Cambodian red curry), which is a ground combination of:

• Basic ingredients of Kroeung: Kaffir lime zests, lemongrass, galangal, turmeric, garlic, and shallots
• Add some red peppers to gain the red color in texture (you can adjust the amount depending on your interest)

After that, you will put the Kroeung into a pan to stir them for 30 sec - 1 min. Then add chicken, which is cut into small pieces, with some coconut milk.

Combine with vegetables such as potatoes, onions, and green beans. When the chicken is cooked and the potatoes become tender, it’s time to stop cooking.

You can eat the Somlar Kari Saek Mouan with hot-cooked rice, baguettes, or sandwiches.

Samlor Machu Moun

Samlor Machu in Khmer is ‘sour soup’, and Samlor Machu Moun is the Cambodian sour chicken soup.

The main factor that makes the soup feature a delicious sour flavor is tamarind, which is a tropical fruit with a unique, sweet-sour savor.

Using tamarind will not only make the soup taste sour but also savory, combining harmoniously with the umami taste of meat.

Samlor Machu Moun

There are many kinds of Samlor Machu depending on the type of meat, yet one of the most popular Cambodian sour soups is the Samlor Machu Moun (using chicken).

Chicken breast is cut into cubes, then added to the chicken broth, which is made from chicken bones with shallots, garlic, ginger, kaffir lime leaves, tamarind, and pineapple.

Note: Pineapple can be replaced with tomatoes, and if you don’t have fresh tamarind, tamarind soup powder (from Knorr brand) is a better option for you.

Until the meat is cooked through, you can savor Samlor Machu Moun with boiled jasmine rice.

Mann Oeng K'tem Sor

Are you a fan of Cambodian Grilled Chicken? Then Mann Oeng K'tem Sor is an absolute must-try and you'll love it right at the first bite!

This mouth-watering chicken dish is prepared by marinating tender pieces of chicken in a delightful mixture of lemongrass, garlic, ginger, Kampot pepper, and soy sauce for about 3 hours, allowing the flavors to seep into the meat.

Mann Oeng K'tem Sor

After that, the chicken can be cooked by grilling, baking in a microwave oven /air fryer, or frying on a pan until it is crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside (about 18 mins per side at 185°C).

To complete the meal, serve Mann Oeng K'tem Sor with a bowl of fluffy rice and a plate of fresh, colorful vegetables such as cucumbers, tomatoes, and lettuce.

Sngor Ngam Nov Sach Moan

If you're searching for a flavorful Cambodian chicken dish, Sngor Ngam Nov Sach Moan is an excellent choice. In English, the dish means ‘pickled lime soup with chicken’.

Sngor Ngam Nov Sach Moan

The main ingredient for the dish is pickled limes - limes are left to dry in the sun for 2 - 3 days until they turn golden brown. Then, we boil a small pot of water (with about 6 - 8 spoons of salt). Soak the limes with the salted water in a glass jar for 1 - 2 weeks.

Boasting a harmonious blend of fragrant herbs and spices to create a balanced, savory seasoning, the tender and juicy cooked chicken will provide a pleasing and fulfilling meal experience. One bite of this authentic Cambodian dish, and you'll be hooked for life!

Best Places To Try Cambodian Cuisine

Why not give it a try and experience the flavors of Cambodia for yourself? Let’s take a look at our ultimate Cambodia package tours below!

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Source: Internet