Phnom Penh: Evening Food Tour by Tuk-Tuk with 5 Tastings

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/18

Duration4h 30m

GroupUp to 12

LanguagesEN

PickupAt your hotel

Phnom Penh street food night tuk-tuk tour with local tastings

You’ll ride tuk-tuks through Phnom Penh’s buzzing streets, taste Khmer noodles at Kandal Market, sample stir-fried Lort Cha and market desserts, then dare yourself with dried buffalo meat or bugs near the Royal Palace—all with a local guide and plenty of cold beer or soft drinks along the way. Expect laughter, new flavors, and maybe a sticky shirt by night’s end.

4h 30m

Step-by-step itinerary

Evening food and market tour in Phnom Penh

Meet guide at hotel and board tuk-tuk
Visit lively riverfront area
Try Num Banh Chok noodle soup
Sample traditional Cambodian Lort Cha
Explore Phnom Penh night market
Taste Khmer desserts at Russian Market
Sample dried buffalo meat and street bugs
Enjoy cocktail or local craft beer

The Experience

We were already bouncing along the riverfront in our tuk-tuk before I realized how much Phnom Penh changes after dark. The air was thick but not heavy, and the whole city seemed to lean into the evening—kids darting between food carts, couples sharing skewers, that kind of casual chaos. Our guide, Dara, grinned as he handed out cold beers. “You’ll need this,” he said, and honestly, I did. The smell of grilled meat mixed with something sweet—maybe lemongrass?—kept drifting in from the stalls. I tried not to stare too much at what people were eating but couldn’t help it sometimes.

The first stop was these noodles—Num Banh Chok, Dara called them. He watched me slurp awkwardly and gave me a thumbs up (I think he was being polite). Next came Lort Cha at Kandal Market. The chef’s hands moved so fast with the wok I almost missed it—oil popping, noodles flipping through the air. We got a recipe video on someone’s phone but honestly, I’d burn my kitchen down trying that at home. There was this moment where a little kid offered me a bite of his dessert and his mom just laughed; I guess tourists aren’t as mysterious as we think.

By the time we reached the Russian Market for sweets, my shirt had picked up about three different sauces and some kind of sugar dust. No one cared though—the vendors just smiled and pointed out which desserts were best for “new stomachs.” We ducked into an alley near the Royal Palace where Dara dared us to try dried buffalo meat (chewy, salty) and then—yeah—bugs. Crunchy little things that tasted mostly like chili powder and bravado. Li from our group tried to say thank you in Khmer; everyone laughed except her (she was mortified).

I still think about that last stop—a rooftop bar somewhere off a side street—with local craft beer sweating in my hand and city lights flickering below us. It wasn’t fancy but there was this feeling like we’d been let in on something locals actually do, not just for show. If you’re looking for an evening food tour in Phnom Penh that feels alive and a little unpredictable, this is probably it.

What’s included

Your evening includes hotel pickup and drop-off by tuk-tuk, all water and unlimited local beer or soft drinks you want along the way, five varied tastings from Khmer noodles to market desserts (and yes—even bugs if you’re brave), plus stories from your English-speaking guide as you wind through Phnom Penh’s lively night streets before heading back to your hotel.

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for back problems

Operated by Siem Reaper Travel - Phnom Penh Day Tours