Phnom Penh: Tuk Tuk Food Tour with 20 Tastings & Live Band

Summary

Phnom Penh flavors by tuk tuk smoky ribs live band and cocktails

You’ll ride through Phnom Penh by tuk tuk with a local guide, tasting over 20 street foods from bustling markets to hidden alleyways. Expect smoky ribs at Russian Market, dinner with live music, roadside desserts near Independence Monument, plus unlimited drinks—and plenty of laughter along the way.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing that hit me was the smell—garlic and something sweet drifting down this narrow alley by the Royal Palace. Our guide, Dara, grinned when he saw my face. “Oldest recipe in the city,” he said, waving us over to a table where three generations of women were serving bowls to people just off work. I tried to copy how they ate it, but honestly, I was mostly focused on not slurping too loudly. The tuk tuk waited nearby, engine ticking softly while we finished up. It felt like we were in on some secret.

Later, at a tiny family shop (the kind you’d walk past without noticing), Dara handed me a cold beer and two dishes he said every Cambodian knows from childhood. I can’t remember the names now—something with lemongrass and another with fish paste—but the flavors were sharp and bright. He told us about his grandmother’s cooking and laughed when I tried to repeat one of the words in Khmer. Pretty sure I butchered it; he didn’t seem to mind.

The Russian Market at night is a whole different world—neon lights bouncing off metal stalls, the sizzle of pork ribs hitting charcoal. We squeezed between locals buying herbs and kids darting around with skewers. Those ribs were sticky and smoky; I still think about them sometimes when I catch a whiff of grilled meat back home. There was this moment where everything got quiet for a second—just chewing, nodding at each other, nobody needing to talk.

Dinner was almost like crashing someone’s big family party: long tables covered in dishes I couldn’t name, free-flowing beer (dangerous), and a live band playing songs everyone else seemed to know by heart. Dessert came roadside near Independence Monument—a couple who’ve been serving sweet treats for decades, handing them out through passing car windows while scooters zipped by behind us.

We ended in a garden bar tucked away from the main road—cocktails with fresh herbs under string lights. By then my shirt smelled like smoke and lemongrass, which felt about right. Dara offered to drop us back at our hotel or point us toward more nightlife if we wanted to keep going. Honestly? That night still sits with me whenever I taste something unfamiliar—it’s not just about food, you know?

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Phnom Penh culinary tuk tuk tour

• Visit back alley near Royal Palace
• Try Cambodia's oldest dish with locals
• Eat two Cambodian dishes at ma and pa shop
• Enjoy meal at popular local restaurant
• Explore Russian Market by night
• Eat smoky sticky pork ribs
• Have dinner with live local band
• Try roadside dessert near Independence Monument
• Drink cocktail or mocktail in garden bar

Top questions

How many tastings are included on this Phnom Penh food tour?

The tour includes over 20 different tastings across various stops in Phnom Penh.

Is hotel pickup included in the Phnom Penh tuk tuk food tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included for your convenience.

Are drinks provided during the food tour?

Unlimited beer, soft drinks, bottled water, and cocktails/mocktails are included throughout the evening.

Does this tour visit Phnom Penh markets?

Yes, you'll explore both Kandal Market and Russian Market as part of the experience.

Is there vegetarian or special diet accommodation?

This information isn't specified; it's best to contact the operator directly for dietary needs.

How long does this Phnom Penh food tour last?

The exact duration isn't listed but it covers an evening with multiple stops around the city.

Is live music part of this food tour?

Yes, you'll enjoy dinner accompanied by a live local band at one of the stops.

Are children or infants allowed on this tour?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels; specialized infant seats are available if needed.

What’s included

Your evening includes hotel pickup and drop-off by tuk tuk, all entry fees where needed, over 20 local tastings from street stalls to family-run restaurants across Phnom Penh’s markets and neighborhoods, unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks (beer, soda, bottled water), dinner at a Khmer BBQ spot with live band entertainment, plus dessert served roadside near Independence Monument before finishing with a cocktail or mocktail in a garden bar downtown.