Cooking with Chef Nak, Nr Phnom Penh

Just a short distance from the lively city of Phnom Penh, across the Mekong River and nestled in a garden oasis, is the house of local celebrity Chef Nak, who will welcome you into her home and teach you the secrets of Cambodian cooking.

Upon arrival at this charming homestay, you’ll be warmly greeted by Chef Nak and chat with her as she gives you a tour of her beautiful home and gardens. We won’t spoil it for you, but the story of how she has researched old recipes is a fascinating one and is about much more than just food.

After your introduction to your hosts, you’ll take either a leisurely walk or a quick tuk-tuk ride to the local market to see exactly where your food is sourced from. The rest of the day is spent with Chef Nak as she teaches you how to cook a range of traditional dishes like fish amok, traditional beef salad, and crispy fried river prawn fritters. The class moves at a relaxed pace, and there’s plenty of time to swim in the saltwater pool or take a relaxing stroll through the lush gardens between dishes.

For anyone with even a passing interest in food, we highly recommend spending time with Chef Nak. Whether you stay at her homestay or join her for a cooking class, you’ll get a unique insight into Cambodian culture, meet some wonderful people, and have some delicious meals in a beautiful setting.