by

Khmer Cuisine

Khmer Cuisine- Its History

Cambodian cuisine is a strong indication of the ancient Khmer civilization and its long colonial history. The word Khmer is derived from the Pallava language of southern India that refers to predominant ethnic group, food, and language of Cambodia.

Khmers are considered descendants of mixed ethnic group combining Indians and natives of South East Asians who first migrated and inhabited South East Asia region originally called Austroasiatic region since over 3,000 years ago. It wasn’t certain whether the migration from the north was due to invading Tibetans or due to agricultural purposes since fertile land along major rivers was suitable for growing crops.

In its early days, the Khmer’s language, religion, and cultures were heavily influenced by Indian and Chinese traders as evidenced by the introduction of noodles and curry in Khmer cuisine.  The use of coconut milk and turmeric to make curries and desserts shows traces of Indian influence. In fact, one of the popular Khmer dishes is Amok or steamed fish cake made from curry mixed with coconut milk and wrapped in banana leaves. Thais have the same dish but called it Hormok.

Because of its location to many waterways, the staples of Cambodians remain fish and rice. Fish is the most common meat as they are abundant from the Mekong River, Bassac River and Tonlé Sap (the largest freshwater lake in South East Asia) and can even be freshly caught from rice paddies. Fish can be grilled and called Trey Aing, fried with vegetables called Trey Chean Neung Spe, added to sour soup called Samlor, fermented into paste called Prahok. Prahok is an integral ingredient of Khmer cuisine to add salty taste when friend with meat and chilli or eaten as dips with boiled vegetables. Prahok is a very authentic Khmer cuisine. In Thailand, the similar fermented paste is made from small shrimps called Kapi while the Philippines called it Bagoong (pronounced as Bah-Go-Ong).

Going back a little bit to the history. Khmer empire was much bigger before than today (refer to Map 1: Cambodia Today). During the 9th to 13th century, the empire extended to include parts of today’s Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Burma, and Malaysia and made Angkor its capital (refer to Map 2: Khmer Empire).

Map 1: Cambodia TodayMap 1: Cambodia Today
Map 2: Khmer (10th century)Map 2: Khmer (1oth century)
Map 3: Ayutthaya KingdomMap 3: Ayutthaya Kingdom

Following the decline of Khmer empire in the 13th- 14th century, Sukhothai Kingdom and Ayutthaya Kingdom of Siam (old name of Thailand) ascended and annexed part of Khmer including the capital city of Angkor (refer to Map 3: Ayutthaya Kingdom).  The Khmer was forced to move to a new capital city, Phnom Penh in 1434 by King Ponhea Yat. Ever since then, this part of Khmer remained under Siamese territory for more than 400 years. This is why Khmer cuisine received much Thai influence and vice versa. It shares many common dishes with Thai food, but generally not as spicy and sweeter. For example, jasmine rice, glutinous rice, fermented fish paste eaten with boiled vegetables, and sour spicy soups using galangal, lemongrass and kaffir leaves.

Due to Siamese and Vietnamese continuous invasion, Cambodia appealed to French for protection and became a French protectorate in 1864. For nearly a century, Cambodia was drawn into the French Indochina union which includes southern Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. Interestingly, in the olden times, the Khmer called Vietnam ‘Khmer Krom.’ Sharing the same colonial heritage being part of Indochina Union, it borrowed many dishes from Vietnam and adapted to suit their tastes. Moreover, as a French legacy, Cambodians were taught to eat baguettes (long French bread) with pâté (minced meat spread), sardines, or eggs as breakfast.  It is usually accompanied with strong black coffee in sweet condensed milk.

Post World War II, King Norodom Sihanouk proclaimed its independence in 1953 but later overthrew by General Lon Nol who changed Kingdom of Cambodia to a Republic. Political situation remained chaotic in Cambodia. Only 5 years after came the notorious genocidal period of Khmer Rouge led by Pol Pot. As mentioned by Sachin and Manish, this period destroyed the country and left people emotionally marred. Four years after the brutal period, in 1979, Vietnam ousted the Khmer Rouge and slowly rebuilding the country for more than 10 years. The situation was rescued when the United Nations intervened in 1992 and helped restored monarchy in 1993 until today.

It is fascinating how Khmer’s long tumultuous history can be depicted through Khmer cuisines. How a variety of its menus created from unique blend of ingredients show traces of cultural influences from India, China, Thailand, Vietnam and France. And, this is what makes Khmer cuisine authentic and special.

Linibel (sent from Kai’s blog account due to some technical problem)

2,748 thoughts on “Khmer Cuisine”

  6. 전자담배액상샵 smoke bomb best e-cigarette liquid site Smoke Balm – smoke bomb lowest price – e-cigarette – e-cigarette liquid – e-cigarette liquid site – csv e-cigarette – salt nicotine – synthetic nicotine

  10. Hey There. I found your blog using msn. This is a very well written article. I’ll be sure to bookmark it and come back to read more of your useful info. Thanks for the post. I’ll definitely return. 메이저놀이터

  13. 전자담배 smokebomb best e-cigarette liquid site Smok25 – smoke bomb lowest price – e-cigarette – e-cigarette liquid – e-cigarette liquid site – csv e-cigarette – salt nicotine – synthetic nicotine

  14. It is really a great and helpful piece of information. I am glad that you shared this useful info with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.

    토토사이트

  17. Our vision is to maintain and strengthen our position as the world’s number one Live Casino provider as gaming markets continue to evolve globally. Our culture is rooted in our corporate values:
    kingkong112233
    에볼루션룰렛

  19. It’s a fantastic and helpful piece of information. I appreciate you sharing this useful information with us.
    Please keep us informed in this manner. I just wanted to compliment you on your work. I’ll be sure to bookmark your website and return in the future File Magic Crack. Thank you very much.

  23. what a nice article i found , i was looking it for a long time , i been searching it for so long now that i found out really help me.
    파워볼

  25. smokebomb best e-cigarette liquid site Smok25 – smoke bomb [Smok25] – 전자담배 액상 – lowest price – e-cigarette – e-cigarette liquid – e-cigarette liquid site – csv e-cigarette – salt nicotine – synthetic nicotine

  26. Positive site, where did u come up with the information on this posting? I’m pleased I discovered it though, ill be checking back soon to find out what additional posts you include. 카지노사이트

  30. Our vision is to maintain and strengthen our position as the world’s number one Live provider as gaming markets continue to evolve bally. Our culture is rooted in our corporate values:
    kingkong112233
    에볼루션룰렛

  39. smokebomb best e-cigarette liquid site Smok25 – smokbomb [Smok25] – 전자담배 액상 사이트 – lowest price – e-cigarette – e-cigarette liquid – e-cigarette liquid site – csv e-cigarette – salt nicotine – synthetic nicotine

  47. Arianism (Koinē Greek: Ἀρειανισμός, Areianismós)[1] is a Christological doctrine first attributed to Arius (c. AD 256–336),[1][2][3] a Christian presbyter from Alexandria, Egypt.[1] Arian theology holds that Jesus Christ is the Son of God,[4][a][5][b] who was begotten by God the Father[2] with the difference that the Son of God did not always exist but was begotten within time by God the Father, therefore Jesus was not co-eternal with God the Father.[2][c] Arianism holds that the Son is distinct from the Father and therefore subordinate to Him.[3] The term Arian is derived from the name Arius; it was not what the followers of Arius’s teachings called themselves, but rather a term used by outsiders.[7] The nature of Arius’s teachings and his supporters were opposed to the theological doctrines held by Homoousian Christians, regarding the nature of the Trinity and the nature of Christ.카지노 알공급

  50. Just admiring your work and wondering how you managed this blog so well. It’s so remarkable that I can’t afford to not go through this valuable information whenever I surf the internet! 에볼루션카지노

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *