Savoring the Lotus Set: A Khmer Culinary Gem at Malis Phnom Penh

By Sara Duong: I savored the Lotus Set during a lunch at Malis Phnom Penh. This signature tasting menu, inspired by ancestral Khmer techniques, highlights lotus leaf cooking to infuse dishes with subtle, smoky aromas.

Sara Duong

Precisely composed of Takeo sausages, green mango and smoked fish salad, steamed chicken curry in lotus leaf, and ice cream for dessert, this set offers a complete journey through Cambodian flavors: fresh, spicy, umami, and sweet.

Perfect for a refined lunch, the portions are generous yet light, ideal without weighing you down for the afternoon. An accessible price for such excellence, it’s an authentic immersion in “Living Cambodian Cuisine.”

The starter: Takeo sausages

A pure delight to start! These iconic sausages from Takeo province, made with finely minced beef and local spices (Kampot pepper, garlic, lemongrass), burst with intense aromas.Very, very good, they melt in your mouth with a juicy texture and subtle crunch from the accompanying fresh herbs and crisp vegetables – grated carrots, cucumbers, and basil for an unexpected freshness.

I wasn’t expecting those veggies, but they bring perfect balance, cutting through the sausage’s richness.