Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Drinks
Cambodia has a lively local drinking culture, and the heat and humidity will ensure that
you hunt out anything on offer to quench your thirst. Coffee, tea, beer, wine, soft drinks,
fresh fruit juices and some of the more exotic 'firewaters' are all widely available. Tea is
the national drink, but these days it is just as likely to be beer in the glass.
Friends is one of the best-known restaurants in Phnom Penh, turning out a fine array of tapas,
shakes and specials to help street children in the capital. Its cookbook
The Best of Friends
is a
visual feast showcasing its best recipes.
Beer
It's never a challenge to find a beer in Cambodia and even the most remote village usually
has a stall selling a few cans. Angkor is the national beer, produced in vast quantities in a
big brewery down in Sihanoukville. It costs around US$2 to US$3 for a 660ml bottle in
most restaurants and bars. Draught Angkor is available for around US$0.50 to US$1.50 in
the main tourist centres. Other popular local brands include newcomer Cambodia Beer,
aiming to topple Angkor as the beer of choice, and provincial favourite Crown Lager.
A beer brand from neighbouring Laos, Beerlao, is very drinkable and is also one of the
cheapest ales available. Tiger Beer is produced locally and is a popular draught in the capit-
al. Some Khmer restaurants have a bevy of 'beer girls', each promoting a particular beer
brand. They are always friendly and will leave you alone if you prefer not to drink.
A word of caution for beer seekers in Cambodia: while the country is awash with good
brews, there's a shortage of refrigeration in the countryside. Go native and learn how to
say, '
Som teuk koh'
(Ice, please).
BOTTOMS UP
When Cambodians propose a toast, they usually stipulate what percentage must be downed. If they are
feeling generous, it might be just
ha-sip pea-roi
(50%), but more often than not it is
moi roi pea-roi
(100%). This is why they love ice in their beer, as they can pace themselves over the course of the
night. Many a
barang
(foreigner) has ended up face down on the table at a Cambodian wedding when
trying to outdrink the Khmer boys without the aid of ice.
