Siem Reap: Khmer Cooking Class with Market Visit & Lunch

Summary

Learn to cook khmer dishes in siem reap with chef-led class and local market walk

You’ll wander a bustling Siem Reap market with a local chef, learn to prepare classic Khmer dishes like fish amok and banana salad, then share your homemade meal in a peaceful garden setting. Expect laughter over chopping boards, new flavors you’ll remember long after, and an easygoing vibe that feels more like hanging out than a formal class.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect the market in Siem Reap to smell so much like fresh herbs — lemongrass everywhere, even before we got close to the stalls. Our guide, Chef Dara, waved us over to a pile of tiny eggplants and started explaining which ones go into real Khmer soup. I tried repeating the name (I think it was “trakuon”?) and he grinned, correcting my pronunciation gently. The whole place buzzed with early morning chatter, people haggling over fish and greens. It felt less like a tour and more like tagging along on someone’s daily routine.

Back at the Reveal Angkor Hotel’s cooking space — it’s actually this wooden house tucked behind some gardens — Dara handed out hats that made us look slightly ridiculous but kept the sweat out of our eyes. We chopped banana flowers for salad (my hands still smelled faintly sweet after), learned how to steam fish amok in banana leaves, and tried not to burn the garlic for beef lok lak. There was this moment when I accidentally splashed soup on my shirt; Dara just laughed and showed me how he does it one-handed — “Cambodian style,” he said.

Sitting down together outside, eating what we’d made under the shade of frangipani trees, I realized I hadn’t checked my phone in hours. The banana dessert was sticky and warm, not too sweet. Everyone swapped stories about their first attempts at cooking back home. I still think about that salad — something about the crunch and lime together just worked. If you’re looking for a day trip in Siem Reap that isn’t temples or tuk-tuks, this Khmer cooking class is honestly worth it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Learn and cook Khmer food

• Visit local market for ingredients
• Learn to cook with Cambodian chef
• Eat your cooked Khmer meal

Top questions

What dishes do you cook in the Reveal Angkor Hotel cooking class?

The menu includes Banana Salad, Fish Amok, Khmer Soup with smoked fish, Beef Lok Lak, and Banana Delight for dessert.

Does the Khmer cooking class include a visit to a local market?

Yes, the experience starts with a guided visit to a local market in Siem Reap to select ingredients.

Where is the cooking class held in Siem Reap?

The class takes place at Reveal Angkor Hotel in a traditional Cambodian house with gardens, about 900 meters from Old Market.

Is lunch included in the Khmer cooking class?

Yes, after preparing your dishes you’ll sit down to enjoy your meal as part of the experience.

Are drinks provided during the cooking class?

Bottled water is included for all participants during the session.

Do you get anything to take home from the cooking class?

You’ll receive a Cooking Certificate at the end of your lesson.

Is transportation provided for this Siem Reap cooking class?

No hotel pickup is mentioned but public transportation options are available nearby.

Are infants or children allowed at the Reveal Cooking Class?

Infants can join but must sit on an adult’s lap; specialized infant seats are available if needed.

What’s included

Your day includes all ingredients from the local market walk, use of hats during cooking (trust me — handy), bottled water throughout, full instruction from a professional Cambodian chef, your own Cooking Certificate at the end, plus lunch featuring everything you’ve cooked: chicken banana salad, beef lok lak, Khmer soup with smoked fish, and banana dessert before heading out again into Siem Reap’s lively streets.