Khmer Culinary Vocabulary: An Ancestral Dichotomy Deciphered by Saveros Pou
- Coin gourmand
- Jan 4
- 1 min read
Khmer cuisine, rich in heritage and cultural depth, is more than just a collection of dishes — it is a language in motion, rooted in centuries of daily life, agricultural practice, ritual observance, and regional exchange.
In her seminal research, French-Cambodian linguist Saveros Pou untangles the historical threads woven into the culinary terminology of the Khmer people, revealing an ancestral dichotomy between native Khmer elements and external influences.
Well said — it captures how Khmer cuisine tells a living story shaped by history, land, and everyday traditions, not just recipes on a plate.