Quick answer
Siem Reap's fish amok scene ranges from budget-friendly to fine dining, costing $3-$55 per person, with The Sugar Palm standing out for its traditional preparation. For a memorable experience, seek out authentic steamed versions favored by locals and experienced travelers. Our analysis points to the best spots for this iconic Cambodian dish.
- Best overall
- Embassy
- Price/value range
- $8 – $25/person
- Top-ranked pick
- The Sugar Palm — $8–$15/person — 4.4★ (676 reviews)
- Last verified
- 2026-03
Top verdicts
- The Sugar Palm: The gold standard.
- Cuisine Wat Damnak: The most celebrated restaurant in Siem Reap.
- Mahob Khmer: The word "mahob" means "food" in Khmer, and this place takes it seriously.
Siem Reap's fish amok scene ranges from budget-friendly to fine dining, costing $3-$55 per person, with The Sugar Palm standing out for its traditional preparation. For a memorable experience, seek out authentic steamed versions favored by locals and experienced travelers. Our analysis points to the best spots for this iconic Cambodian dish.
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.
Fish Amok Map
1. The Sugar Palm
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.
1The Sugar Palm
Traditional Steamed Amok
Verdict: The gold standard.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Traditional Steamed Amok in Street 27, Wat Bo with a $8–$15/person spend range
- Strengths
- 4.4★ from 676 Google reviews · Traditional Steamed Amok · Street 27, Wat Bo
- Limitations
- Price band: $8–$15/person
- Price / value
- $8–$15/person · 4.4★
- Why it made the list
- 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 Sugar Palm, located on Street 27, Wat Bo and rated 4.4 stars with 676 reviews, offers a traditional steamed amok experience for $8–$15 per person. Order the amok trei (fish amok) — steamed the traditional way in banana leaf cups. Also try the prahok k'tis (fermented fish dip), Cambodian chicken curry, and smoked eggplant with pork. Order family-style.
🕐 Closed now
MonClosedTue5:30 – 9:30 PMWed5:30 – 9:30 PMThu5:30 – 9:30 PMFri5:30 – 9:30 PMSat5:30 – 9:30 PMSun5:30 – 9:30 PM
"Fish amok is my favourite Khmer dish (you can pick chicken or beef amok if you don't like fish although fish goes so well with the delicate coconut flavour)."
— r/cambodia · Best restaurants in Siem Reap thread
"The Sugar Palm restaurant was also great. Upmarket from Khmer Kitchen but still only cost us 40+$ approx for four. Their fish amok was a bit different from other places."
— r/cambodia · Food in Cambodia thread
2Cuisine Wat Damnak
Fine Dining Tasting Menu
Verdict: The most celebrated restaurant in Siem Reap.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Fine Dining Tasting Menu in Wat Damnak Village with a $25–$45/person spend range
- Strengths
- 4.6★ from 673 Google reviews · Fine Dining Tasting Menu · Wat Damnak Village
- Limitations
- an unforgettable culinary experience
- Price / value
- $25–$45/person · 4.6★
- Why it made the list
- 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 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.
🕐 Closed now
Mon6:00 – 11:00 PMTue6:00 – 11:00 PMWed6:00 – 11:00 PMThu6:00 – 11:00 PMFri6:00 – 11:00 PMSat6:00 – 11:00 PMSunClosed
"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
3Mahob Khmer
Modern Khmer
Verdict: The word "mahob" means "food" in Khmer, and this place takes it seriously.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Modern Khmer in Wat Bo Area with a $6–$12/person spend range
- Strengths
- 4.4★ from 667 Google reviews · Modern Khmer · Wat Bo Area
- Limitations
- Price band: $6–$12/person
- Price / value
- $6–$12/person · 4.4★
- Why it made the list
- 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 with freshwater fish, plus their beef lok lak and morning glory stir-fry. The menu focuses on elevated Khmer classics using local market ingredients.
🕐 Closed now
Mon11:30 AM – 10:30 PMTue11:30 AM – 10:30 PMWed11:30 AM – 10:30 PMThu11:30 AM – 10:30 PMFri11:30 AM – 10:30 PMSat11:30 AM – 10:30 PMSun11:30 AM – 10:30 PM
"For good Khmer food, try Jomno, Pinhak Pou, Chanrey Tree, Spoons, Haven, Mahob, Maom, Amok."
— r/cambodia · Cambodia travel recommendations
"Mahob Khmer Restaurant (quieter and opposite from the Khmer Taste)."
— r/cambodia · Local food recommendations
4Malis
Refined Khmer
Verdict: Chef Luu Meng is the David Thompson of Cambodia — the country's foremost authority on Cambodian cuisine.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Refined Khmer in Pokambor Ave (Riverside) with a $15–$35/person spend range
- Strengths
- 4.3★ from 1,379 Google reviews · Refined Khmer · Pokambor Ave (Riverside)
- Limitations
- deeply authentic — premium ingredients, traditional technique
- Price / value
- $15–$35/person · 4.3★
- Why it made the list
- 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 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.
🕐 Closed now
Mon6:30 AM – 11:00 PMTue6:30 AM – 11:00 PMWed6:30 AM – 11:00 PMThu6:30 AM – 11:00 PMFri6:30 AM – 11:00 PMSat6:30 AM – 11:00 PMSun6:30 AM – 11:00 PM
"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
5Embassy
Contemporary Gastronomy
Verdict: The "Kimsan Twins" (Kimsan Pol and Kimsan Sok, not actually twins) are creating some of Cambodia's most exquisite contemporary cuisine.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Contemporary Gastronomy in Wat Bo Area with a $30–$55/person spend range
- Strengths
- 4.8★ from 823 Google reviews · Contemporary Gastronomy · Wat Bo Area
- Limitations
- Price band: $30–$55/person
- Price / value
- $30–$55/person · 4.8★
- Why it made the list
- 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 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.
🕐 Closed now
Mon6:00 – 11:00 PMTue6:00 – 11:00 PMWed6:00 – 11:00 PMThu6:00 – 11:00 PMFri6:00 – 11:00 PMSat6:00 – 11:00 PMSun6:00 – 11:00 PM
"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
6Chanrey Tree
Upscale Khmer
Verdict: A reliable mid-to-upper-range choice that consistently appears in "where to eat in Siem Reap" threads.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Upscale Khmer in Sivutha Blvd (Riverside) with a $10–$20/person spend range
- Strengths
- 4.5★ from 1,743 Google reviews · Upscale Khmer · Sivutha Blvd (Riverside)
- Limitations
- Price band: $10–$20/person
- Price / value
- $10–$20/person · 4.5★
- Why it made the list
- 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
- 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.
🕐 Closed now
Mon11:00 AM – 2:30 PM, 5:30 – 10:30 PMTue11:00 AM – 2:30 PM, 5:30 – 10:30 PMWed11:00 AM – 2:30 PM, 5:30 – 10:30 PMThu11:00 AM – 2:30 PM, 5:30 – 10:30 PMFri11:00 AM – 2:30 PM, 5:30 – 10:30 PMSat11:00 AM – 2:30 PM, 5:30 – 10:30 PMSun11:00 AM – 2:30 PM, 5:30 – 10:30 PM
"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
7Haven
Training Restaurant
Verdict: A Swiss-run training restaurant giving disadvantaged Cambodian youth real hospitality skills.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Training Restaurant in Wat Damnak Village with a $6–$12/person spend range
- Strengths
- 4.9★ from 2,550 Google reviews · Training Restaurant · Wat Damnak Village
- Limitations
- Price band: $6–$12/person
- Price / value
- $6–$12/person · 4.9★
- Why it made the list
- 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
- 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.
🕐 Closed now
MonClosedTue10:00 AM – 10:00 PMWed10:00 AM – 10:00 PMThu10:00 AM – 10:00 PMFri10:00 AM – 10:00 PMSat10:00 AM – 10:00 PMSun10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
"In no particular order Polo Food, Haven and Wild."
— r/siemreap · 3 favorite restaurants in Siem Reap
8My Little Cafe
Home-Style Khmer
Verdict: The kind of place you'd never find on TripAdvisor's top 10 but that travelers who stumble upon it rave about.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Home-Style Khmer in Sok San Road Area with a $3–$7/person spend range
- Strengths
- 4.4★ from 683 Google reviews · Home-Style Khmer · Sok San Road Area
- Limitations
- that travelers who stumble upon it rave about
- Price / value
- $3–$7/person · 4.4★
- Why it made the list
- 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 fish amok — Reddit calls it "beautiful." Also try whatever Khmer dish the owner recommends that day. Simple menu, honest cooking.
🕐 Closed now
Mon7:00 AM – 9:30 PMTue7:00 AM – 9:30 PMWed7:00 AM – 9:30 PMThu7:00 AM – 9:30 PMFri7:00 AM – 9:30 PMSat7:00 AM – 9:30 PMSun7:00 AM – 9:30 PM
"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
9Amok by Chef Kimsan
Amok Specialist
Verdict: A restaurant that's built its entire identity around amok — and does it well.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Amok Specialist in Near Pub Street with a $5–$10/person spend range
- Strengths
- 4.3★ from 377 Google reviews · Amok Specialist · Near Pub Street
- Limitations
- the food is several notches above the typical tourist-area restaurant
- Price / value
- $5–$10/person · 4.3★
- Why it made the list
- 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
- The signature fish amok — it's literally in the restaurant name. They offer multiple amok variations. The presentation is beautiful and portions are generous.
🕐 Closed now
Mon10:30 AM – 10:00 PMTue10:30 AM – 10:00 PMWed10:30 AM – 10:00 PMThu10:30 AM – 10:00 PMFri10:30 AM – 10:00 PMSat10:30 AM – 10:00 PMSun10:30 AM – 10:00 PM
"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
10Marum
Creative Khmer / Social Enterprise
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.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Creative Khmer / Social Enterprise in Near Wat Polanka with a $6–$12/person spend range
- Strengths
- 4.5★ from 736 Google reviews · Creative Khmer / Social Enterprise · Near Wat Polanka
- Limitations
- don't mistake the mission for charity dining — the food is genuinely creative and delicious
- Price / value
- $6–$12/person · 4.5★
- Why it made the list
- 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
- 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.
🕐 Closed now
Mon5:00 – 9:30 PMTue5:00 – 9:30 PMWed5:00 – 9:30 PMThu5:00 – 9:30 PMFri5:00 – 9:30 PMSat5:00 – 9:30 PMSunClosed
"For good Khmer food, try Jomno, Pinhak Pou, Chanrey Tree, Spoons, Haven, Mahob, Maom, Amok."
— r/cambodia · Cambodia travel tips
11Tevy's Place
Home-Style / Fusion
Verdict: Tevy is one of those rare restaurant owners whose personality and story make the food taste even better.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Home-Style / Fusion in Road 26 Area with a $4–$8/person spend range
- Strengths
- 4.8★ from 2,173 Google reviews · Home-Style / Fusion · Road 26 Area
- Limitations
- Price band: $4–$8/person
- Price / value
- $4–$8/person · 4.8★
- Why it made the list
- 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 (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.
🕐 Closed now
Mon7:30 AM – 9:30 PMTue7:30 AM – 9:30 PMWed7:30 AM – 9:30 PMThu7:30 AM – 9:30 PMFri7:30 AM – 9:30 PMSat7:30 AM – 9:30 PMSun7:30 AM – 9:30 PM
"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
12Navuto Resort Restaurant
Resort Dining
Verdict: A hidden gem that most tourists miss because it's a resort restaurant slightly outside the center.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Resort Dining in Navuto Resort, outskirts of Siem Reap with a $12–$25/person spend range
- Strengths
- 4.8★ from 258 Google reviews · Resort Dining · Navuto Resort, outskirts of Siem Reap
- Limitations
- Price band: $12–$25/person
- Price / value
- $12–$25/person · 4.8★
- Why it made the list
- 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.
- 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.
🕐 Open now
MonOpen 24 hoursTueOpen 24 hoursWedOpen 24 hoursThuOpen 24 hoursFriOpen 24 hoursSatOpen 24 hoursSunOpen 24 hours
"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
Frequently Asked Questions
What is fish amok and why is it Cambodia's national dish?
Fish amok (amok trei) is Cambodia's most celebrated dish — a steamed fish curry made with freshwater fish (traditionally snakehead or catfish), coconut milk, slok ngor leaves, kroeung paste (lemongrass, galangal, turmeric, kaffir lime), and egg. Authentically it's steamed in banana leaf cups until custard-like. Many tourist restaurants serve a watered-down curry version, but the real thing has a thick, mousse-like texture. It's considered Cambodia's national dish and predates similar Thai curries.
How much does fish amok cost in Siem Reap?
At local restaurants and street stalls, fish amok costs $3–$5 USD. Mid-range restaurants charge $6–$12. Fine dining spots like Cuisine Wat Damnak or Embassy include it in tasting menus ($25–$55 per person). Most tourist-area restaurants price it around $5–$8. The quality varies enormously — price doesn't always correlate with authenticity.
What's the difference between real fish amok and the tourist version?
Authentic fish amok is steamed (not simmered) in banana leaf cups, giving it a thick, custard-like consistency. The tourist version served at many Pub Street restaurants is essentially a thin coconut curry soup — easier and faster to make but nothing like the real thing. Look for amok that arrives in a banana leaf cup with a firm, mousse-like texture. If it's soupy, it's not traditional amok. The Sugar Palm's Chef Kethana is considered the authority on authentic preparation.
Where is the best area to eat fish amok in Siem Reap?
The Wat Bo neighborhood has the highest concentration of quality Khmer restaurants (Sugar Palm, Mahob Khmer, Embassy). Wat Damnak village is home to Cuisine Wat Damnak and Haven. Avoid the Pub Street strip for authentic amok — while convenient, most restaurants there serve the watered-down curry version. The best fish amok tends to be found at dedicated Khmer restaurants run by Cambodian chefs, slightly away from the main tourist drag.
Can I learn to make fish amok in Siem Reap?
Yes! Several cooking classes in Siem Reap teach fish amok preparation. Le Tigre de Papier near Pub Street offers classes, and Sojourn Boutique Villas has a well-regarded cooking school. Many classes include a market visit to source ingredients. Expect to pay $15–$30 per person for a half-day class that covers amok plus 2–3 other dishes. It's one of the most popular cooking class dishes in Cambodia.
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