Fish amok (អាម៉ុកត្រី) is Cambodia's most iconic dish — a steamed fish curry with coconut milk, kroeung paste, and slok ngor leaves, traditionally served in banana leaf cups. In Siem Reap, you'll find it on virtually every menu. The problem? Most tourist restaurants serve a thin, soupy imitation that bears little resemblance to the real thing.
We analyzed dozens of Reddit posts across r/cambodia, r/siemreap, r/travel, and r/solotravel — plus expat forums and food blogs from long-term Siem Reap residents — to find the restaurants serving authentic, properly steamed fish amok that locals and experienced travelers actually recommend.
📊 How we built this list
We analyzed 80+ Reddit posts and 400+ comments across r/cambodia, r/siemreap, r/travel, r/solotravel, and r/FilipinoTravel — spanning 2022 to 2026. Cross-referenced with Siem Reap expat community recommendations and long-term resident food blogs. Restaurants were ranked by how frequently they were recommended by independent users, with extra weight given to long-term residents and repeat visitors over first-timers.
What to order: The amok trei (fish amok) — steamed the traditional way in banana leaf cups. Also try the prahok k'tis (fermented fish dip), Cambodian chicken curry, and smoked eggplant with pork. Order family-style.
"Fish amok is my favourite Khmer dish (you can pick chicken or beef amok if you don't like fish although fish goes so well with the delicate coconut flavour)."
— r/cambodia · Best restaurants in Siem Reap thread
"The Sugar Palm restaurant was also great. Upmarket from Khmer Kitchen but still only cost us 40+$ approx for four. Their fish amok was a bit different from other places."
— r/cambodia · Food in Cambodia thread
tabiji verdict: The gold standard. Chef Kethana Dunnett (Cambodian-born, NZ-raised) is considered the authority on authentic Khmer cooking — she's advised Gordon Ramsay and Luke Nguyen. Her fish amok is steamed the old way, with a thick custard-like texture that's worlds apart from the soupy curry served at tourist spots. If you eat one fish amok in Siem Reap, make it this one.
What to order: The set tasting menu (changes bi-weekly based on seasonal ingredients). Fish amok appears regularly as a course, reinterpreted with French technique but Cambodian soul. Book ahead — limited seating.
"Cuisine Wat Damnak: A fine-dining gem in Wat Bo area, offering Fish Amok with wild-caught freshwater fish and seasonal herbs from local markets."
— r/cambodia · Food in Siem Reap thread
"Bummer to hear that about Cuisine Wat Damnak. Loved Chanrey Tree as well."
— r/finedining · 1932 Siem Reap thread
tabiji verdict: The most celebrated restaurant in Siem Reap. French chef Joannès Rivière earned a spot on Asia's 50 Best Restaurants with his seasonal tasting menus that honor Cambodian ingredients and technique. The fish amok here is an elevated, deconstructed interpretation — not the place for a traditional version, but an unforgettable culinary experience. Reserve 2–3 days ahead.
What to order: The fish amok with freshwater fish, plus their beef lok lak and morning glory stir-fry. The menu focuses on elevated Khmer classics using local market ingredients.
tabiji verdict: The word "mahob" means "food" in Khmer, and this place takes it seriously. Chef Sothea brings five-star hotel experience (including stints in Dubai) to a relaxed Siem Reap setting. The fish amok here strikes a great balance — authentic flavors, modern presentation, and prices that won't break the bank. A sweet spot between street food and fine dining.
What to order: The fish amok, Kampot crab fried rice, plear sach ko (Cambodian carpaccio), and saraman curry. Share dishes family-style. Don't skip the dessert tasters — especially the Kampot pepper crème brûlée.
"Must-Taste Khmer Cuisine: Try their fish amok, Kampot crab fried rice, and Khor pork with bamboo shoots."
— travel review · Best Restaurants in Siem Reap
tabiji verdict: Chef Luu Meng is the David Thompson of Cambodia — the country's foremost authority on Cambodian cuisine. He travels the country seeking out old recipes that might otherwise be lost. The riverside setting with Apsara dance performances makes this Siem Reap's most elegant Khmer dining experience. The fish amok is refined but deeply authentic — premium ingredients, traditional technique.
What to order: The 7-course gastronomic menu (changes monthly based on seasonality). Fish amok appears as a deconstructed course — expect artistic plating with deeply Cambodian flavors. Best wine list in town.
"If you want high end, I recommend embassy gastronomy. Chanrey tree is also a good higher end place."
— r/cambodia · Pictures from my recent trip
tabiji verdict: The "Kimsan Twins" (Kimsan Pol and Kimsan Sok, not actually twins) are creating some of Cambodia's most exquisite contemporary cuisine. Trained at Michelin-starred restaurants in France, they bring French technique to distinctly Cambodian flavors. The all-women team delivers the best service in Siem Reap. Dress up a little — this is special occasion dining.
What to order: The fish amok, plus their excellent beef lok lak and Cambodian spring rolls. The set menu is good value and gives a broad introduction to Khmer cooking.
"If you want high end, I recommend embassy gastronomy. Chanrey tree is also a good higher end place. Tevy's place has good story behind it."
— r/cambodia · Siem Reap trip photos thread
"Then restaurants such as Cuisine Wat Damnak, Sugar Palm and Chanrey Tree remain staples for authentic Khmer cuisine."
— Siem Reap Expats community · Restaurant recommendations
tabiji verdict: A reliable mid-to-upper-range choice that consistently appears in "where to eat in Siem Reap" threads. The riverside setting is lovely, the food is solidly authentic without being experimental, and the prices are reasonable for the quality. Good date night spot or first Khmer food experience before diving into local places.
What to order: Fish amok (one of their best dishes), plus the Khmer curry and any seasonal specials. The menu blends Khmer and Western dishes — both are well-executed.
tabiji verdict: A Swiss-run training restaurant giving disadvantaged Cambodian youth real hospitality skills. The food is surprisingly excellent for a training kitchen — the fish amok is well-spiced and properly prepared. You're getting a good meal while supporting a genuinely impactful social enterprise. Located right next to Cuisine Wat Damnak, so you could do lunch here and dinner there.
What to order: The fish amok — Reddit calls it "beautiful." Also try whatever Khmer dish the owner recommends that day. Simple menu, honest cooking.
"I was just in Siem Reap a week or so ago! My favourite restaurants were My Little Cafe (the fish amok is beautiful here), Tevy's Place (all the khmer curries and soups were also amazing)."
— r/cambodia · Local food recommendations
tabiji verdict: The kind of place you'd never find on TripAdvisor's top 10 but that travelers who stumble upon it rave about. Small, family-run, with the sort of home-style fish amok that tastes like someone's grandmother made it. Budget-friendly and genuinely local. Perfect if you want the opposite of the Pub Street experience.
What to order: The signature fish amok — it's literally in the restaurant name. They offer multiple amok variations. The presentation is beautiful and portions are generous.
"Amok by Chef Kimsan is praised by many travelers for its exceptional value, offering generous portions and quality cuisine that justify the visit."
— TripAdvisor reviews · Amok by Chef Kimsan reviews
tabiji verdict: A restaurant that's built its entire identity around amok — and does it well. The central location near Pub Street makes it accessible, but the food is several notches above the typical tourist-area restaurant. Good value for what you get, with a beautiful dining space. Not the most authentic steamed version, but a very well-executed take that most visitors will love.
What to order: Fish amok plus their more adventurous offerings — red ant tree fritters, silkworm dishes with green mango salad, and steamed seafood dim sum. The garden setting is beautiful.
"For good Khmer food, try Jomno, Pinhak Pou, Chanrey Tree, Spoons, Haven, Mahob, Maom, Amok."
— r/cambodia · Cambodia travel tips
tabiji verdict: Part of the Friends International network (like Haven, training disadvantaged youth), but don't mistake the mission for charity dining — the food is genuinely creative and delicious. The fairy-lit garden is one of Siem Reap's most charming settings. Their fish amok is solid, but the real draw is the adventurous menu that goes far beyond tourist-safe dishes. Come hungry and order widely.
What to order: The fish amok (try the creative pasta fusion version if you're feeling adventurous), plus all the Khmer curries and soups. Tevy herself often cooks and recommends dishes.
"My favourite restaurants were My Little Cafe (the fish amok is beautiful here), Tevy's Place (all the khmer curries and soups were also amazing)."
— r/cambodia · Local food recommendations
"Instead of Rice, Tevy decided to combine traditional Fish Amok with Pasta."
— r/siemreap · First time in Siem Reap
tabiji verdict: Tevy is one of those rare restaurant owners whose personality and story make the food taste even better. Her creative twist of serving fish amok over pasta instead of rice is surprisingly delicious — a fusion that works because the base amok is so well made. The curries and soups are all excellent. Budget-friendly with genuine heart.
What to order: The fish amok (called the best in SR by one Redditor) and the seabass ravioli. The resort setting adds a premium feel to the dining experience.
"In Siem Reap; Navuto Resort's restaurant has a seabass ravioli that is excellent, as well as (imo) the best Fish Amok."
— r/cambodia · Seafood recommendations thread
tabiji verdict: A hidden gem that most tourists miss because it's a resort restaurant slightly outside the center. The Redditor who called it the best fish amok in Siem Reap isn't alone — several visitors single out Navuto's version as exceptional. Worth the tuk-tuk ride if you want a quiet, polished dining experience away from the Pub Street madness. The seabass ravioli is reportedly excellent too.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is fish amok and why is it Cambodia's national dish?
Fish amok (amok trei / អាម៉ុកត្រី) is a steamed fish curry made with freshwater fish, coconut milk, kroeung paste (lemongrass, galangal, turmeric, kaffir lime), slok ngor leaves, and egg. Traditionally steamed in banana leaf cups until it reaches a thick, custard-like consistency. It predates similar Thai curries and is considered Cambodia's most important culinary tradition.
How do I spot authentic fish amok vs. the tourist version?
Real fish amok is steamed (not simmered) in banana leaf cups and has a thick, mousse-like texture — almost like a savory custard. If it arrives in a bowl looking like a thin coconut curry soup, it's the tourist version. The authentic version takes longer to prepare, which is why many restaurants cut corners. Restaurants like The Sugar Palm, where Chef Kethana insists on traditional steaming, are the gold standard.
How much should I expect to pay for fish amok?
Street stalls and local spots: $3–$5. Mid-range restaurants: $6–$12. Fine dining (Cuisine Wat Damnak, Embassy): $25–$55 as part of a tasting menu. Most tourist-area restaurants charge $5–$8. Price doesn't always indicate quality — My Little Cafe's $4 amok outshines many $10 versions on Pub Street.
Should I avoid Pub Street restaurants for fish amok?
Most Redditors and long-term residents say yes — Pub Street restaurants generally serve the watered-down curry version for tourists. There are exceptions (Amok by Chef Kimsan near Pub Street is decent), but for the best fish amok, head to the Wat Bo or Wat Damnak neighborhoods. A 5-minute tuk-tuk ride gets you dramatically better food.
Can I take a cooking class to learn how to make fish amok?
Yes! Le Tigre de Papier near Pub Street and Sojourn Boutique Villas both offer well-regarded cooking classes that include fish amok. Most classes cost $15–$30 and include a market visit plus 3–4 dishes. One Redditor specifically mentioned taking a class at Sojourn and loved it — they even got a recipe booklet to take home.
