Eating Street Food in Cambodia: Risks and Realities

Eating in the street in Cambodia is part of the daily landscape and habits of many Asian cities. While the exotic experience is tempting for tourists and residents alike, the recurring question is: what are the risks of eating from the many street stalls and mobile vendors so abundant in the capital?

Dangers

Is it dangerous for your health to eat street food in Cambodia? There is no simple, definite answer. Some people eat street food very often and never get sick, while others eat it rarely but almost always fall ill. Although many of these street restaurants might raise eyebrows among the health inspectors of more Western cities, the issue may not only be about sometimes questionable hygiene.

Some stomachs simply have a hard time handling very local food, and the fact that it is eaten in the street doesn’t change that. So before blaming these friendly vendors, make sure your stomach can handle some very Cambodian ingredients.

Precautions

As for the important question of hygiene, it’s up to you to make your own judgment by doing a quick inspection when you decide to try “street food” in Cambodia. It’s easy to check whether the products come from the market and are fresh, whether the seller uses gloves or tongs to handle food. Many signs can be reassuring, while others can serve as warnings—vendors with dirty hands touching meat that’s about to be grilled should be avoided. Check if cutlery and chopsticks are clean; the presence of a bucket or bowl for washing utensils is always a good sign. Paper napkins and plastic bins are also encouraging signs. Finally, during pandemic periods, if the vendor-cook wears a mask and hand sanitizer is nearby, it shows attention to cleanliness.

Popularity

A Cambodian street restaurant that’s always busy with a fast customer turnover is also a good indicator. It means the food is good and the regulars come back without digestive complaints. The older the stall, the more likely its food is reliable. A limited menu usually means the vendor shops fresh every morning and sells out before restocking. Stalls offering many dishes might risk keeping low-turnover products for days—possibly no longer fresh.

Details

Other small details can help you decide: check that the seller doesn’t reuse cooking oils, see if vegetables still look moist (indicating they’ve been washed). For seafood, shellfish, and fish, don’t hesitate to ask the seller if they’re fresh—pick one up, open it, and check. With a little care, it’s quite easy to minimize the risks of eating street food.

Many expatriates dream of the exotic, approach a stall hesitantly, then head for the nearest burger instead. That’s a pity—street food stalls are an essential part of Asian culture and daily life. They also support tens of thousands of people who lack the education or connections for higher-paying or less demanding jobs.

Indeed, this kind of work is tough but can be quite rewarding if customers like the food.Srey Mom (pictured above) has been working on the street for five years. She sells smoothies, eggs, and sandwiches.“...You have to get up early even though my workday starts at three in the afternoon. I go to the market, set up my stall, check that everything is ready, and transport my ingredients and tools. It’s not easy since I live several kilometers away from my workplace. Then I welcome my customers and prepare their orders quickly—Cambodians don’t like waiting and want to eat fast. Over the past few years, I’ve built a regular clientele and also get many occasional customers. After paying all my expenses, I earn a few hundred dollars each month. It’s a good income, and I’m happy. I close my stall around four in the morning and get up again at eight. It’s exhausting...,” she explains.

There are no precise statistics or serious studies about the potential health risks of eating street food in Cambodia. But if there were real, widespread health issues, such businesses probably wouldn’t be as popular as they are. Another advantage: unlike traditional restaurants, the cooking is done right in front of you—and the prices are unbeatable.

So, street food in Cambodia: yes or no?Yes—just take a few precautions.

Photographs by Christophe Gargiulo