We will soon become famous! Recently we had a film-team from Germany visiting our host Sarat in Siem Reap. For now we cannot tell much more about what exactly they were filming for (but will do once it’s broadcasted). But it was an interesting experience, in particular the crocodile meat in Siem Reap.

We had a filmteam visiting us in Siem Reap. Part of our offer was to try crocodile..

For Sarat it was the first time to be on camera. She also had to speak English, what was not a problem at all. Thomas then translated it to German. It took the team around 3 hours in total. They found it interesting to see the way of preparing Khmer food. The camera closed up to the mortar with the fresh spice paste , but also to the pan. There was yummy fish sizzling in oil before then mixed with spices.

Sarat gets a microphone on her shirt – first time on camera!

Another interesting part was to see the original wooden house of a Khmer family. A visit to a Khmer home is always surprising and impressive to guests from western countries. The wooden floor and walls makes it cool even in hot days. Under the house is then some even cooler place.

The team was interested in the daily life of a Khmer family.

The mushroom farm is also an interesting experience too many. Mushrooms in Europa grow usually in dark, moisture places like cellars and bars. Here in Cambodia it’s a hut with a roof and protecting nets on the side.

First time eating crocodile meat in Siem Reap

Last but not least the highlight: we usually don’t advertise that Sarat’s family also owns some crocodiles. And it was lucky day, they got fed with a lot of fish. The crocodiles are between 8 and 10 years old, and the lay eggs once a year. The family then sells the fertilized eggs to breeders. Sarat cooks then yummy omelette with the unfertilized eggs. And at the end, Sarat had some delicious pan fried spicy crocodile meat to taste – but bought from another farm.

When you are traveling, most of the memorable moments are from interactions with local people. And there are many reasons why a local experience in Cambodia is something you remember. It’s better than what the guide told you for hours when visiting Angkor Wat or the Phnom Kulen . We understand and learn better with all of our senses. Something even more important is context. Reading or just listening is less efficient than watching a video. But even the best video cannot give you the experience you make when interacting with people while traveling.

Cambodia is well know for the friendly and welcoming people. Wether it is on tourists sites or somewhere at the countryside. Most of the time people will smile at you, greet you with the hands folded together as it is common in Asia to show respect. A local experience in Cambodia with people will let you feel immediatly as a friend visiting friends. Our guests at Dine With The Locals had this experience time after time. They are not customers (or pax, as the tourism industry calls them), but guests visiting a house. and they shall be treated as such.

A local experience in Cambodia means be part of the family

The range of our hosts goes from a well educated manager and an artists to organic farmers and housewifes who live in quote simple conditions. And yet, all have one thing in common: They provide you unforgettable moments with a truly local experience in Cambodia. It starts with the preparation of the meal: You join them watching or even helping. People in Cambodia are easy going and appreciate any community. So cleaning the fish or peeling green mango is something you should definetly do.

Another part ist the conversation. Some of our hosts speak English quite fluent. Some speak just basic English. But you will have a conversation with all of them. We understand a conversation as interaction, not just communication in one language. If you can not speak Khmer, you will find another way of communication. And our hosts will do, when they can’t find the proper English words. That is the fun part with a local experience in Cambodia. and that’s is the way, we create unforgettable memories at Dine With The Locals.

When it comes to authentic food, nearly every restaurant and street stall will claim that they are offering homemade Khmer food in Cambodia. But eben if they do their best, it’s in most cases not even close to the Cambodian food you get in the homes of the locals.

Reason 1: We have enough time

When you order food in a restaurant, you expect the food delivered as fast as possible. But many Khmer dishes do need time to be prepared. So they have to be made in advance, or at least partly prepared, and then warmed up for you. That’s not the case with homemade Khmer food.

Reason 2: Freshness and homemade Khmer food

Our hosts will go to the market on the day of the booking, and when it’s dinner they even go to the afternoon market. This way they can ensure that the ingredients are fresh. The leaves they use are harvested just hours ago, the vegetables arrived in the morning from the farm and the chicken, pigs or cows were slaughtered a day or just hours before.

Reason 3: Watch how they prepare the food

Our hosts have nothing to hide, and that’s why we encourage you to come a bit earlier and watch them preparing the food or even help. The Cambodia way of cooking is not totally different from western cooking. But you will see some differently tools, like the mortar for making spice paste, or the cleaver for cutting everything from meat to vegetables. Round wooden boards are common as well. Some of our hosts will still use open fire, most changed to gas already.

Reason 4: No processed food

The rice we use is Cambodia rice, in most cases from the family’s farm just outside town. All vegetables grow in Cambodia or the neighboring countries. The important thing about homemade Khmer food : everything is made from scratch. Our hosts don’t just open a bag and heat it. They don’t even go to a supermarket to buy the ingredients. Many leaves and even ginger and galangal grow in the garden anyway.

Reason 5: Homemade Khmer food – made with love

Connecting travelers with locals means for us connecting people. at Dine With The Locals we focus on the human touch. It is exiting for travelers to meet locals people, and it’s equally special for locals to have foreigners in the their house or premises. And this extends as well to the way the hosts prepare the food: with love and passion. Our hosts are proud to present you Khmer culture and cuisine, and that’s why they take special care of you and the yummy dishes.

There is another reason why homemade Khmer food is better: Because for you as a traveler it means the upmost authenticity. Nowhere else you can experience the locals food, culture and lifestyle. At Dine With The Locals we provide this unique experience all over Cambodia.