Guide to a Vegan Vacation in Cambodia

by Vegan Culinary Cruises Luxury – All Inclusive – All Vegan

When you’re on a vegan diet plan, the quest for food seems endless, especially when you’re traveling. However, if you find your way to Cambodia, you’ll be glad to discover that veganism is quite a common practice, and the ingredients for your meal plans are abundant.

But before you dive into any culinary adventure in Siem Reap or Phnom Penh, remember to do your research! Here’s a list of tips to help you survive a consistent vegan meal plan as you go along Cambodia.

Watch out for prawn

Shrimp can be present in the ingredients of some food you might not expect. Rice crackers, for example, may contain shrimps, so don’t forget to double check the list of ingredients in your supplies.

Order with no egg

One of the common dishes in Cambodia (and in most of Southeast Asia) is vegetable fried rice. This could well be a vegetarian option, so if you want to make it vegan, just ask for no egg.

Visit grocery stores that cater to Westerners

Double check all your supplies as some products may be vegetarian, but not necessarily vegan. For instance, some stores sell ice cream made of coconut, but it may contain dairy. Grocery stores that mostly cater to Westerners have non-dairy options. You can find these in the Angkor Market in Siem Reap.

Practice basic Khmer phrases

It would be useful to learn a few Khmer phrases for you to be able to communicate with the staff at markets and restaurants about your preferences. Some useful phrases include: “khnyom aut nyam” (I don’t eat), “aht chak” (no meat), “tduk dah ko” (milk), “sop knah” (chicken powder), “pong moan/thear” (chicken/duck egg), and “ahkun chran” (thank you very much).

Print out a vegan instruction card

Just in case it gets difficult for you to remember all those phrases or if you ever forget any of them, it might be a good idea to print a mini card with a list of your preferences. Have the list translated to Khmer and English so you can give them to servers or people in the market.

These are just some of the things you can do to fully enjoy your trip to Cambodia while keeping up with your vegan diet. But one of the best ways to really see Cambodia is by embarking on a vegan cruise. Enjoy unlimited vegan dishes with people who share the same ideals as you cruise through the Mekong River. Now isn’t that a treat?