cooking class Archives - Page 2 of 2

Learn how to throw a Cambodian fishing net

We are back: Enjoy food adventures with locals families in Cambodia

Written by André Ruys on 05/20/2022. Posted in cooking class, eat with locals, Experience Cambodia, food in Cambodia, Kambodscha, Khmer culture, Khmer food, Siem Reap.

We had rough two years, but now we are back. Dine With The Locals will continue to connect travelers with local families in Cambodia (and in two cities in Vietnam) and provide great food adventures. We are finishing our process to update our lists of host and started to onboard new hosts.

Our food adventures are more than a cooking class

Say hello to Ms. Sokvy, who lives in the outskirts of Siem Reap, next to rice fields, with her husband and her kids. While Mr. Chantry is buy as a driver (he will pick you up and bring you back when you book with us), she is taking care of the house. We visited her recently and consulted the family regarding food and activity selection. Expect one of the best dishes in Cambodia, Tek Kreung, and lean how to make this thick soup (some call it a paste) made of pea eggplants and river fish.

You will also learn how locals go fishing (no animals harmed during this experience): Mr. Chantry will show you how to throw a fishing net. It is traditionally used for fishing in ponds, but also in shallow waters like the Tonlesap lake (Asias biggest lake).

Good bye to some great hosts

We had some amazing hosts during the last three years, providing authentic food adventures and great experiences. It’s no surprise, that some changed location and work during the pandemic. First of all, all of the host families survived the crises and are doing good. But some found new jobs, moved to Phnom Penh or other cities.

One hosts made a remarkable progress: Ms Hong Ginlai, who runs a food stall in Siem Reap. When we started with her, guests could prepare street food in the morning in a made shift stall. She later had to move – what turned out to be a great opportunity. She told us, that she has to pause now taking guests for food adventures because she is too busy. We could not be more happy to see her being so successfull. Watch our video and see what you have missed.

Finding more food adventures in Cambodia

After we have updated our current list of hosts we will find more soon. Ms. Sokvy is just the first. We are looking for more families in Battambang and in and around Phnom Peng now. To be a host at Dine With The Locals, a family needs to provide a menu with three local dishes as well as a interesting experience beside cooking with guests.

Ms. Kaum provides an amazing food adventure in Siem Reap

And one more thing: You may hav noticed that we had to increase our prices. This is due rising costs for food in Cambodia, but also for our operations. Host get the biggest share of what you pay, because our main goal is to eatable women to earn money in their home and provide a great food adventure for foreign guests.

An update for 2022: Dine With The Locals and food experiences in Siem Reap

Written by André Ruys on 03/23/2022. Posted in cooking class, Kambodscha, Siem Reap, Siem Reap Höhepunkte.

Cambodia has finally re-opened its borders to international tourism. You do not need a PCR anymore nor get tested at the airport. However, prof of vaccination is still required. At Dine With The Locals we had a hard time during Covid-19. So far, no one of us or the hosts got seriously sick, although some got infected.

Since we had no tourists coming, the business broke down and we had to close the company we founded in 2020 as a start-up. It is now back as a web service in the hands of the Co-founder Thomas. We also lost some hosts, mainly because they got jobs, moved or other personal reasons. But we still got some requests for bookings, so we want to keep this going, but on a smaller level.

Dine With The Locals is a platform connecting hosts and guests. We see ourselves as a digitales service we provide. Although we promote our hosts and try to promote Cambodia as a tourism destination, our main goal is to provide a fast and easy service to hosts and guests. Thats why we withdraw from sites like AirBnB and Tripadvisor. We think, small is beautiful, and we do not want to give money to cooperations who see us as just a number in their database.

We do take commission from our hosts, but the main amount goes to the hosts families. We encourage guests to leave tips or buy products our hosts sell and produce. We want to help families and in particular women to get an additional income. So far, we did well until the pandemic hit us. The near futures will tell, how fast Cambodia can recover – and how fast we can get back on our feet. The team is small, we are still looking for people to join us – but recruiting for start-ups in Siem Reap is not an easy task.

If you are interested in authentic food experiences while visiting Cambodia, our hosts are here for you. We are available in Siem Reap, Banteay Meanchay, Phnom Penh and Stung Treng – and hopefully soon again in Battambang.

We wish you all healthy days ahead!

Cambodian crispy rice with pork floss

Written by André Ruys on 09/28/2021. Posted in cooking class, eat in Siem Reap, eat with locals, Experience Cambodia, food in Cambodia, Khmer culture, Khmer food, News and Updates, Online-Experience, Siem Reap.

Rice is something like the staple food in Cambodia. It is served at every meal. Most people eat regular cooked rice, but there are also variations, for example in delicious desserts. Another specialty is pot-fried Cambodian crispy rice with pork floss. Pork floss is soft, dried meat fibers from the pig. You find this dish on special occasions, but a restaurant in Siem Reap specializes only in it. It is not cheap: a large portion costs 10 dollars. Our host Vorleak researched a bit for you and made a step-by-step instruction how to cook Cambodia crispy rice at home.

How to cook Cambodian crispy rice with Pork Floss

First of all, you take normal rice and wash it three times. Then you pour it into a pot with a thin bottom. Take so much rice that it covers about one centimeter of the bottom. Then add water and boil the rice for about 20 minutes. The rice must become very soft. A gas stove or open fire is best.

When it is done cooking, take a wooden spoon and start spreading the rice from the center to the edge of the pot. It should form a rim about five centimeters high, but the rice must still cover the bottom. Spread everything smoothly.

Now put the pot back on the stove and let the rice bake. First on the bottom, then you have to take the pot in your hand and hold the edges over the flame. Be careful not to burn yourself. It would be best if you kept swirling the pot until the rice has darkened and is clearly browned on the pot (but it shouldn’t burn).

Let the Cambodian crispy rice burn a bit

Meanwhile, crack two eggs and whisk them with salt, pepper and chili powder or homemade chili sauce to taste. Cut spring onions into small pieces.

Heat about 150 ml of oil. When it’s hot, carefully pour it into the rice pot (turn the flame back on) and swirl the pot so the oil gets everywhere. You need to keep doing this until the rice looks crispy. Then pour off the rest of the oil.

Now take the eggs and pour them over the bottom of the crispy rice. Spread them evenly and let the mixture fry briefly until the egg has set. Now let the pot cool down a bit. Hold the bottom of the rice with a wooden spoon, tip the pot over and carefully catch the rice.

Poor eggs and onions on the rice and let it get solid.

Place it on a plate and sprinkle with Pork Floss.

Take the Cambodian crispy rice carefully out of the pot

You need these ingredients

200 gr rice
2 eggs
200 ml cooking oil
salt
pepper
chili powder
2 bunches spring onion
4 tbs porkfloss

Independence Monument Phnom Penh, a visit is on thing of what to do in Cambodia

The best reasons to travel (now) to Cambodia

Written by André Ruys on 02/27/2020. Posted in cooking class, Food adventure, Khmer culture, Siem Reap, Uncategorized.

Even if travel is right now not on everyone’s priority list, there are good reasons to book or start a trip to Cambodia now. We tell you the 5 best reasons to travel to Cambodia.

1. favourable prices, good connections

Cambodia is one of the few countries where there are no cases of Covid 19 virus. This makes it a safe country to travel to, and at present prices are also quite low. The government has not only given tax breaks to hotels, but also extended the validity of tickets for Angkor Wat until the end of June. The one-day ticket is now valid for 2 days, the three-day ticket is valid for 5 days. This gives travelers even more time to explore the temples and the surrounding area.

In addition, the Arab airline Emirates now flies directly to Phnom Penh, so that if you are coming from Europe you no longer have to change planes in Bangkok or other cities. Qatar Airways will even fly directly to Siem Reap from the end of the year.

2. rich culture

Sam peah, the Khmer greeting for older people

The Cambodian culture is one of the oldest still existing cultures and formed the basis for the Thai and Lao culture. The Khmer empire was once larger than that of Charlemagne and even today the country is rich in cultural offerings. Most famous is of course the temple of Angkor Wat, there are also many other sights. A small insider tip is Banteay Chhmar, about 3 hours west of Siem Reap. Here a Khmer temple is maintained by the village community, which also offers travelers to stay overnight in the village and eat together.
In Siem Reap as well as in Phnom Penh and in Battambang, art scenes of modern local artists are developing and are attracting more and more attention. They take up historical themes like the Khmer Empire and the reign of terror of the Khmer Rouge, but also modern developments like climate change and pollution.

3. great food is one of the best reasons to travel to Cambodia

Cambodian cuisine was already established in its basic features during the reign of King Jayawarman II, who also ruled the Khmer Empire in its greatest expansions. It has influences from India, but contains many local spices and ingredients. Fish is one of the most important ingredients because it was an easy source of protein. Today there are also very tasty fish dishes, such as a meat stew and the famous Beef Lok Lak. Increasingly, vegetarian dishes are also available. In Cambodia many different soups – Samlor – are cooked, ranging from a sour broth to a creamy curry. Grilled meat is also popular, which travelers can also buy at street stalls. Those who like it exotic can also try stuffed frogs and fried insects.

4. enchanting landscapes

If you travel between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap by car or bus you will get a first impression of the landscape. Along the National Road 6 there are rice fields which sometimes reach up to the horizon. But Cambodia has even more to offer, for example the forests in Norng Kabat in Ratanakiri province. Here you can still see wild animals and untouched nature, as well as breathtaking waterfalls and hidden ponds where you can fish.

5. meet nice people

Meeting people is one of the best reasons to travel to Cambodia

If you are traveling in a group or with other tourists, you will sometimes not have time to get in touch with locals. Thereby, one gets a much better insight into the culture of the country and the different habits. At Dine With The Locals you will meet Cambodian families and spend a few hours together. They cook and eat together, but also have time to visit the family’s home and the surrounding area and to exchange ideas.

Stay longer: Things to do in Siem Reap

Written by André Ruys on 01/27/2020. Posted in child friendly, childsafe, cooking class, kids friendly, Siem Reap.

Even though Siem Reap is best known for Angkor Wat, as a tourist you can do more than just look at the temples. The city and the surrounding area have a lot to offer and we once wrote down a few things to do in Siem Reap. We want to help you stay longer in Siem Reap and see more than just the – indeed breathtaking – temple complex.

Art and galleries in Siem Reap

We have a lot of artists and galleries in Siem Reap that you can visit. It starts with the Tribe Gallery on Market Street, just behind the provincial hospital. The two owners exhibit works by Cambodian as well as international artists. By the way, on the same street is our host Ms. Hong Ginlai, where you can learn how to cook street food in the morning.

Another gallery is Theams House , a house that is both a studio and a gallery. It was founded by Lim Muy Theam, a well-known Cambodian artist who also offers workshops here.

The Batia Sarem Gallery is still quite new in Siem Reap, but has made a name for itself with modern Cambodian artists who show their works here. Opposite is the Bamboo Stage, which shows shadow plays in the evening, but also Cambodian folklore music.

One of the easiest things to do in Siem Reap: Sports

Cycling is on of the things to do in Siem Reap

If you like cycling, Siem Reap is perfect for you. You can rent bikes from many hotels and small shops. It’s best to take a mountain bike. Opposite the Park Hyatt Hotel there is also a shop that has electric bicycles. You can book bike tours with Siemreaper, for example, but you can also set out on your own. An easy and interesting route is: Drive south along Wat Damnak and find Angkor Wat Put. You can also play mini golf here. From here drive west to the river and then north along the river. You can drive into the Angkor forest, but at some point you will need to have a ticket.
We have some host families that are also accessible by bike. Mrs. Vannarith lives with her family in the Angkor forest in a simple house. Ms. Sareth lives on the river and even has a crocodile farm.

Entertainment: Dance and Circus

Siem Reap has a great dance group the New Cambodian Artists. They have a small studio and offer performances on Saturdays, sometimes there are special performances. In Pub Street you will find many restaurants and bars as well as night clubs, some of them also offer live music. What kind of things to do in Siem Reap you like?

Trips and excursions around

The Floating Villages on Tonle Sap Lake are well known. Unfortunately there are now too many tourists and we recommend going to Kompong Khleang where it is a bit quieter. Another alternative is bird watching. Around the lake and its foothills there are many native and sometimes rare birds to see. If you want to drive a little further, log into the community project in Banteay Chhmar. The village takes care of the temple there, offers guided tours and overnight stays. Another alternative is to visit the Landmine Museum. The story of the bombings and landmines is told here, and you can see many exhibits, the project is led by a former mine clearer. Apopo rats also work in the mine clearance service, and you can even visit them.

Eat with locals in Siem Reap

The best way to still get to know a country is to get in touch with locals. That’s why we launched Dine With The Locals. You will have a wonderful time with a Cambodian family and learn how to cook like a local. And there is also something delicious to eat. We have a wide range of hosts in Siem Reap.

What to expect when you visit Dine With The Locals

Written by André Ruys on 01/09/2020. Posted in cooking class, eat with locals, food in Cambodia, Khmer culture, Siem Reap.

We are often asked what distinguishes our offer from the many cooking courses and food tours that are available in Siem Reap, Battambang and Phnom Penh. Dine With The Locals focuses on people. We want to bring travellers and locals together, would like to help each other to get to know and exchange ideas. Cooking and eating together is an excellent opportunity to learn about local culture and customs.

What do you get?

You can choose between many families in Cambodia (and even Vietnam) on our platform. All families have been personally selected and visited by us. Each family has put together its own menu and offers you more than just standing together at the stove. We have Apasara dancers, painters, modern art, cultural ambassadors and organic farmers. You can learn how to make small fish toys from the leaves of coconut palms and how to make a perfect table decoration from a banana leaf.

Who are the families?

Ms Laum makes Nom Pom, the Khmer coconut waffles, in Sem Reap

Our mission is to provide Cambodian families, especially women, with additional income. But we don’t look at how poor a family is. More importantly, can they offer you a great experience and have fun getting to know people. We have families who live on very little money and some who belong to the lower middle class. Mostly it is women who are our hosts. We want to support them because they often have no opportunity to earn money (or cannot earn enough).

How does it work?

After booking, you will receive a ticket from us with a description of where the family lives. We want to protect families and therefore do not put this information online. It’s best to take a tuk tuk to get to the house. Depending on the family, you will get a small tour, mostly through the garden and can see the house. Ask as many questions as you like, our hosts are proud to explain the customs of Cambodian (or Vietnamese) culture. Then it goes into the kitchen. The family has already done some shopping, unlike traditional cooking classes, you don’t have to go to the market. You won’t have to listen to a teacher either, but cook with the hosts. For example, they show you how to make the famous Kreung paste in a mortar, which can be found in many Cambodian dishes.

Eating together with locals

Eat together after the cooking class in Siem Reap

In order to live up to our name, we naturally eat together. In Asia, all dishes are usually served at the same time and you first have a portion of rice on your plate. Ask your hosts if you are unsure about how to eat a dish or whether to take your hands. In some families, you sit on the floor or on a small pedestal. You usually take off your shoes and sit cross-legged (or whatever is comfortable for you). You can also get a small stool if you want.

How clean is it with the hosts?

We are often asked whether it is clean in the families’ houses. The answer is very clear: yes. You visit simple housings, but families place great value on cleanliness. Incidentally, this also applies to the food. All ingredients are bought fresh (that’s why we have to know a day in advance when you want to come), washed several times (which will also be your job at these cooking classes in Cambodia) and cooked long enough. The water you are offered to drink has been filtered and prepared, the tea has been brewed with boiling water.

Book now your cooking class experience!

Cooking Class in Phnom Penh

Written by André Ruys on 12/28/2019. Posted in cooking class, Khmer culture.

If you come to the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh, you will surely be overwhelmed by the cultural and culinary offerings. There is everything here, from a food tour in the evening to street stalls with fried chicken to luxury restaurants. You can also do a cooking class in Phnom Penh with us.

We have several hosts in Phnom Penh who are happy to welcome guests and give you an insight into local customs.

Our hosts for the cooking class in Phnom Penh:

Vannak Khun is a passionate and well known Khmer artist

Vannak Khun is a modern artist who has become known for his self-portraits and performances. You will visit him at home, where he works and has exhibited some of his photos. You can cook different dishes together, but above all, Vannak can tell you a lot about contemporary art in Cambodia.

Naysim has a silkworm farm just outside of Phnom Penh and also produces silk products. You will first learn how to spin Cambodian silk, see the caterpillars and try your hand at the loom. Then it goes into the open kitchen, where you learn how to cook the famous Beef Lok Lak in the cooking class in Phnom Penh. There is also a soup called Khlor Samlor Machu, which also contains the well-known Kreug paste.

Phanny and her husband live in the north of Phnom Penh with their daughter. They have retired but are happy to tell you about Cambodian culture and traditions. They have an interesting collection of old household items, some of which are 100 years old and handmade. The menu includes a soup that is cooked according to a very old recipe and is called grouse soup.

Host Ms. Phanny offers a special cooking class in Phnom Penh

Cooking classes are not boring lessons

Our cooking classes in Phnom Penh are not lessons as you know them from school. Instead of a teacher, you cook with the host families and learn automatically how the dishes are prepared. It’s like inviting friends to your home. In addition, the cooking classes in Phnom Penh are exclusive, if you book them, only you and your fellow travelers will take part.

What you get:
Cooking three different dishes (depending on the host)
Explanations of culinary arts and culture in Cambodia
New friends
Depending on the host, you can also buy souvenirs or make small gifts yourself
Unforgettable moments and memories
It feels good to help a Cambodian family earn extra income.

We also have more hosts in Cambodia. We offer many cooking classes in Siem Reap, but also in Battambang and Banteay Meanchey and soon in Stung Treng. And recently we also have offers in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Authentic cooking class in Siem Reap

Written by André Ruys on 12/26/2019. Posted in cooking class, eat in Siem Reap, eat with locals, Environment, food in Cambodia, Khmer culture, Siem Reap.

A cooking class in Siem Reap is a unique experience if you want to get to know the local cuisine. If you’re in a country like Cambodia, cooking can help you get to know the country’s culture much better. You will also learn more about the special features of Cambodian cuisine and its dishes.

Our cooking classes are slightly different from those offered by restaurants and hotels. We want to offer you an authentic experience and that’s why our focus is on homemade food that is prepared together with a family. You learn above all how to cook here at home a delicious Cambodian meal.

Learn how to make Kreung paste in our cooking class in Siem Reap

We want to bring people together with our cooking classes in Siem Reap, which is why we have hosts all over Cambodia. In Siem Reap you can cook with a former Apsara dancer and prepare a cozy dinner in the forest near Angkor Wat.

At our cooking classes in Siem Reap you will learn how to traditionally cook a meal in a Cambodian family.

Book now your cooking class experience!

Course of the cooking course in Siem Reap:

1. On arrival at the Cambodian house, the family introduces itself to you. In most families, at least one member speaks English and will explain what to expect. You can come for lunch or dinner.

2. After the greeting you will be shown the house and usually also the garden. For some families, you can even help pick or pick the herbs and vegetables yourself. You can also learn how to breed chickens, see crocodiles or later make small souvenirs.

3. Then it goes into the kitchen for the cooking experience. Each family has selected three dishes that they want to prepare with you in the Siem Reap cooking class. In most cases there is chicken and pork or fish, but we also have two families who can prepare a vegetarian meal on request.

Many famous Cambodian dishes

4. Cooking with locals in Siem Reap: you learn how to cook on a charcoal fire, how to stir food in an Asian wok, in which order the ingredients are added to the meal. Of course you can always ask questions about authentic Khmer food, our hosts will answer the best possible.
Some dishes are:

5. Eating together

After cooking, of course, they eat together. We wrote a small article on customs in a Cambodian household that tells you more about how to behave properly. In Cambodia, the food is either brought to the table all at once or as it is being prepared. The rice is on an extra plate. There are rarely knives, but if you want one your host will be happy to give it to you. Our course includes drinking water or tea, some hosts also like to sell you a Coca Cola or beer.

6. Other activities
A cooking class alone can bring you closer to culture. However, we would like to help you create more memories. Our hosts can teach you the essential steps in the Apsara dance, you can make a souvenir together or bake Cambodian waffles.

The authentic cooking class in Siem Reap takes about 2 hours. Transport is not included, but it is easy to get a tuktuk in Siem Reap.

What do you need to know when attending a cooking class in Siem Reap

Be open to new things. A kitchen in Cambodia is often outside the home. The process is a little different than you may be used to.
Spray yourself with mosquito spray
You are welcome to tip the hosts later.
Our families are also happy about children
Our cooking classes in Siem Reap are well suited for women who travel alone

Kochkurs in Phnom Penh

Written by André Ruys on 11/28/2019. Posted in cooking class, Kochkurs in Kambodscha.

Wenn du in die kambodschanische Hauptstadt Phnom Penh kommst, wirst du sicherlich überwältigt vom kulturellen und kulinarischen Angebot sein. Hier gibt es alles, von einer Foodtour am Abend über Straßenstände mit gebratenem Huhn bis Luxusrestaurants. Die kannst aber auch einen Kochkurs in Phnom Penh mit uns machen.

Wir haben mehrere Gastgeber in Phnom Penh, die sich über Gäste freuen und dir einen Einblick in die lokalen Gepflogenheiten geben.

Unsere Gastgeber:

Vannak ist ein moderner Künstler, der durch seine Selbstportraits und seine Performances bekannt geworden ist. Du wirst ihn zuhause besuchen, wo er auch arbeitet und einige seiner Fotos ausgestellt hat. Ihr könnt gemeinsam verschiedene Gerichte kochen, vor allem aber kann Vannak dir eine Menge über zeitgenössische Kunst in Kambodscha erzählen.

Naysim hat eine Seidenraupenfarm etwas außerhalb von Phnom Penh und produziert auch selbst Seidenprodukte. Du wirst zuerst lernen, wie man kambodschanische Seide spinnt, die Raupen sehen und dich auch selbst einmal am Webstuhl versuchen. Dann geht es in die offene Küche, wo du im Kochkurs in Phnom Penh lernst, das berühmte Beef Lok Lak zu kochen. Außerdem gibt es eine Suppe, in Khmer Samlor Machu genannt, die auch die bekannte Kreug-Paste enthält.

Phanny und ihr Mann leben im Norden von Phnom Penh mit ihrer Tochter. Sie sind in Rente gegangen, freuen sich aber, dir über die kambodschanische Kultur und Traditionen zu erzählen. Sie haben ein interessante Sammlung an alten Haushaltsgegenständen, die teilweise 100 Jahre alt und handgemacht sind. Auf dem Menu stehen unter anderem eine Suppe, die nach einem sehr alten Rezept gekocht wird und Waldhuhn-Suppe genannt wird.

Kochkurs in Phnom Penh sind kein langweiliger Unterricht

Unsere Kochkurse in Phnom Penh sind kein Unterricht wie Du ihn aus der Schule kennst. Statt einem Lehrer kochst du zusammen mit den Gastfamilien und lernst so automatisch, wie die Gerichte zubereitet werden. Es ist so als wenn du Freunde zu dir nach Hause einlädst. Außerdem sind die Kochkurse in Phnom Penh exklusiv, wenn du sie buchst, wirst nur du und deine Mitreisenden daran teilnehmen.

Was du bekommst:

Kochen von drei verschiedenen Gerichten (je nach Gastgeber)
Erklärungen über Kochkunst und Kultur in Kambodscha
Neue Freunde
Je nach Host kannst du auch Andenken erwerben oder kleine Geschenke selbst herstellen
Unvergessliche Momente und Erinnerungen
Ein gutes Gefühl, einer kambodschanischen Familien zu einem zusätzlichen Einkommen zu verhelfen.

Wir haben übrigens noch mehr Gastgeber in Kambodscha. Wir bieten viele Kochkurse in Siem Reap an, aber auch in Battambang und in Banteay Meanchey sowie bald in Stung Treng. Und seit kurzem haben wir auch Angebote in Hanoi und Ho Chi Minh City.