Discover Cambodia’s thriving vegan scene as we take you on a plant-based culinary tour of the country’s capital – Phnom Penh. Cambodia is known the world over for its most famous temples such as Angkor Wat. Many tourists come to the country simply to visit the temple complex nestled next to Siem Reap, but the rest of the country has so much more to offer. From relaxing on the sandy white beaches of Koh Rong, to exploring the wilderness of the Cardamom mountains with Wildlife Alliance guides and meeting the elephants calling Mondulkiri home. Along with stunning landscapes and animals like elephants and sun bears, Cambodia has a rich history, culture, and food story. While neighbouring countries Vietnam and Thailand have world-famous cuisines, Cambodian dishes remain somewhat undiscovered by global foodies. Like food from across the border, traditional Cambodian cooking lends itself well to plant-based living, and capital Phnom Penh in particular is an underexplored vegan mecca. The Phnom Penh vegan food scene is thriving, from fine dining plant-based degustations to modernised Khmer classics and street food. A snapshot of some of the best local vegan haunts are below. In this article: ADVERTISEMENT Traditional Cambodian cooking lends itself well to plant-based living, and capital Phnom Penh in particular is an underexplored vegan mecca. Photo © Luisa Ryan 1. BongBonlai and YK Arthouse 1. BongBonlai and YK Arthouse
An absolute staple of the Phnom Penh vegan scene, BongBonlai means “brother vegetable” is Khmer. One hundred per cent vegan, the restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and serves a mean latte. Its menu features takes on the traditional amok – a curry-esk stew and Khmer ginger tofu. These two are absolutely recommended for those wanting to try some local dishes. It also has favourites such as fried and fresh spring rolls, smoothies, and Western-style burgers and pizzas along with vegan desserts. They even do an excellent margarita for happy hour! The team works hard to keep prices affordable, so expect to pay around five pounds for most menu items. The absolute highlight of the café is its greenery, a welcome oasis in the hustle and bustle of Phnom Penh. BongBonlai is housed on the ground floor of YK Arthouse, a gorgeous if simple hotel with both rooms and apartments available. It also hosts an art gallery, where many local artists display their works – and hotel guests are sometimes invited along to premiers! 13A St 830 Phnom Penh, 120101, Cambodia | ykarthouse.com ADVERTISEMENT 100% vegan cafe BongBonlai and YK Arthouse is a welcome oasis in the hustle and bustle of Phnom Penh. Photo © Luisa Ryan 2. Element 2. Element
Element is a more upmarket restaurant, with a menu leaning more towards fine dining and a French influence. Its menu is mainly vegan, with a few vegetarian items, and even serves vegan wine! Element has an excellent array of local Cambodian and Asian-inspired dishes as well as an elevated veggie burger, but two menu items really stand out. The vegan creamy dumplings stuffed with mushrooms and finished with a white wine sauce cannot be passed up, and go for around GBP 6.50. The other not-to-be-missed dish is the vegan fish and chips using jackfruit, and served with a side salad for just over six pounds. For those wanting a little sample of a lot, the Discovery Platter for two will set you back thirteen pounds. All of Element’s desserts are vegan, and they’re all absolutely delicious. It is no wonder that Element is a Phnom Penh favourite for vegans and others alike. #51A street 306, BKK1 Phnom Penh, 12302, Cambodia | instagram.com/elementvegetarian ADVERTISEMENT For an evening meal, head to Element and indulge in their delicious vegan desserts with a glass of vegan-friendly wine. Photo © Luisa Ryan 3. Sacred Lotus – Vegan Cafe x Hostel 3. Sacred Lotus – Vegan Cafe x Hostel
Sacred Lotus is one of the beating hearts of the Phnom Penh vegan crowd, and very much a cheap and cheerful favourite. Located down in the more hipster Toul Tompung (TTP), Sacred Lotus is much more than a café/restaurant, it also has homestay rooms for those wanting a more basic but cosy place to call home. Sacred Lotus has more of a café-style menu, with pretty much any coffee or smoothie you can think of. It serves both Asian and Western-style vegan food, with special mention going to the Cambodian version of Pad Thai. Their mushroom burger with cashew cheese is also tough to beat! Mains here will set you back about 4 pounds. Toul Tompong II, 127C E0 St 440, Phnom Penh 12311, Cambodia | instagram.com/sacredlotuscafe Sacred Hotel is a vegan guest house with cosy homestay rooms for those wanting a vegan-friendly base to relax in after a day exploring Phnom Penh. Photo © Luisa Ryan 4. Sundown Social Club 4. Sundown Social Club
Sundown Social Club is an absolute must-do for anyone visiting Phnom Penh – it is an institution! A funky rooftop bar in downtown Toul Tompung, the entrance is via a narrow stairway off a busy road so it feels a little like a speakeasy. The reason why the road is so busy is that it hosts the daily fresh food market, so vegans will all have to hold noses and close eyes as they tiptoe past the fish section in order to get up to Sundown. With magnificent views across the city, however, the trip up is worth it. Known mainly as a low key cocktail bar, there aren’t too many vegan items on the menu but they remain well served. The loaded falafel hot dog will keep you going all night long, as will the house-made pumpkin and ricotta gnocchi or the cauliflower steak. For something lighter, there is the roast beetroot salad with local Pursat orange vinaigrette. Expect to pay around GBP 6.50 for a meal, and a little less for a signature cocktail. #86, Street 440, Phnom Penh 12310, Cambodia | instagram.com/sundownsocialclub Sundown Social Club is a rooftop bar with creative cocktails and a selection of vegan dishes to snack on while you enjoy the view. Photo © Luisa Ryan 5. Backyard Café 5. Backyard Café
With three locations in Phnom Penh, you’re never too far away from a Backyard. It is not strictly a vegan restaurant, but rather prides itself on healthy options. There is a wide range of vegan, vegetarian and other meals available. As with many Cambodian cafes, juices, smoothies and coffees come in a huge rainbow of colours and flavours, and you can even have a Backyard juice cleanse delivered to your hotel. They also have a small shop inside each café, offering treats such as superfood brownie bites, trail mixes and granola, natural nut butters and take away drinks. Backyard café’s menu offers food all day with a range of salads, sandwiches, bowls and mains although the mains don’t tend to be vegan. Anything with Backyard’s tempeh is highly recommended, such as their Abundance Bowl which also includes sesame pumpkin, quinoa, fermented pickled beetroot and cashew nut cheese. Bowls are around the GBP 6 mark. House 11b, Vimol Thoam Thong Street 246, Phnom Penh Cambodia | instagram.com/backyardeats Backyard café’s menu offers food all day with a range of salads, sandwiches, bowls and mains. Photo © Luisa Ryan 6. Sombok 6. Sombok
Sombok is an iconic Phnom Penh Khmer fine dining restaurant, run by female chef Kimsan. She opened her first restaurant in Siem Reap, Embassy, with an all-female staff – revolutionary at the time. Rumour has it that a Khmer billionaire once flew Kimsan and her team to Davos for the World Economic Forum, to showcase her modern take on traditional Khmer flavours. Sombok is famed for its lunch set menu. While not advertised, there is a vegan set menu for those who ask, starting with a tiny amuse bouche. My set menu began with grilled eggplant salad, followed by green curry or vegetable amok, and then the choice between sticky rice cake or pandan crepe, served with vegan ice cream. The food looked gorgeous and tasted superb, but even better was the atmosphere and romance of the set menu ritual. A three-course meal will cost just under 16 pounds, but you more than get your money worth. No. 1, Street 154, Preah Sisowath Quay Phnom Penh, 12200, Cambodia | sombok.asia Fine dining restaurant Sombok offers a vegan set menu – perfect for a romantic meal or special occasions. Photo © Luisa Ryan 7. Ministry of Cat 7. Ministry of Cat
Ministry of Cat starts with a delicious western menu of vegan pancakes, avocado toasts and tacos that will be very recognisable to those who love a good café brunch. The lunch menu is where the Asian influence begins, with a variety of local Khmer and regional dishes to choose from. Interestingly, this was one of the few restaurants in Phnom Penh using mock meat, so it makes a nice change. They also brew and bottle a house Kombucha! I tried the Caribbean tacos, Banh Chao, and a bottle of Kombucha – it was all very refreshing in Phnom Penh’s steamy weather. A mainly vegan restaurant with a few vegetarian options, what sets Ministry of Cat apart is the cats! Replete with sleek rescue cats up for adoption, Ministry of Cat takes their fostering responsibilities very seriously. This is one reason the café is vegetarian/vegan – it helps deter the cats from eating the customers’ food – but the core values underlying the venture include the vegan ethos and a love of animals. Lunch mains at Ministry of Cat will cost around 4 pounds. 5 St 442, Phnom Penh 12311, Cambodia | ministryofcat.com Photo © Luisa Ryan What to do in Phnom Penh What to do in Phnom Penh
1. Remember those who perished under the Khmer Rouge regime with a visit to the Killing Fields and Toul Sleng museum. 1. Remember those who perished under the Khmer Rouge regime with a visit to the Killing Fields and Toul Sleng museum.
A heavy but important way to observe history, there are many tours that will take you to these sites and inform you about this chapter of Cambodian history. 2. Visit beautiful cultural sites, such as the Wat Phnom temple, the Royal Palace, and the Silver Pagoda. 2. Visit beautiful cultural sites, such as the Wat Phnom temple, the Royal Palace, and the Silver Pagoda.
If the weather isn’t too hot, you can walk along the Mekong river promenade to see many of these sites. Many Phnom Penh-ers take their evening constitutional along the river walk, and so sunset is the time to see people dancing in groups, taking a stroll, or buying snacks from all the local street vendors. To enter the cultural buildings, please check with your hotel for opening times, which can change with the season. 3. Take a Mekong Cruise 3. Take a Mekong Cruise
A sunset cruise along the Mekong river is a lovely way to escape the hectic Phnom Penh traffic, and watch the smaller boats and fisher people finish up for the day. Some cruises come with snacks, others allow you to bring a picnic on board. The Royal Palace is the official residence of King Sihamoni, but the adjacent Silver Pagoda (pictured above) is open to visitors. Photo © Pipop_Boosarakumwadi via Getty Images 4. Have a cocktail out at Seekers 4. Have a cocktail out at Seekers
Tania and Marco from London and Barcelona respectively have lived in Cambodia for years, working with their team to create a gin that captures the unique flavours of the Mekong region. Seekers is located a little out of the centre of town (about 15 minutes by tuk-tuk) but is an oasis of green. They offer tastings, but also have a garden restaurant and often have live music on the weekends. 5. Check out contemporary culture at Friends Future Factory (3F) and Factory 5. Check out contemporary culture at Friends Future Factory (3F) and Factory
A cultural hub that hosts Pride parties, pop up events, and craft markets to support aspiring local artists, 3F is worth putting on your list of things to visit in the city. Factory is further outside of the city, on the way to Seekers, but again hosts weekend markets, a massive contemporary art gallery and heaps of little cafes. For any kids joining you, Factory is where you’ll find Fly – a trampoline world where they will tire themselves out, bouncing for hours. Where to stay in Phnom Penh Where to stay in Phnom Penh
YK Arthouse YK Arthouse (which houses BongBonlai) is always my home away from vegan home in Phnom Penh, and is wonderfully situated in BKK1. It is also just a few metres away from a fantastic drop-in, locally run yoga studio, and is in the heart of the Basac Lane dining area, so you’re surrounded by food options. YK Arthouse has single, family and apartment style rooms, which are all extremely affordable. There is also a pool, little thrift shop, an incredibly stocked library, and a couple of hotel cats to cuddle. Sacred Lotus’ hostel also above, gets great reviews too. If you’re looking for something fancier, however, the below hotels are absolutely worth your time and money. It’s important to note that all hotels will happily receive food deliveries, and the Grab app will deliver from all the restaurants above, and many more. 13 A St 830, Phnom Penh 120101, Cambodia | ykarthouse.com Palace Gate Hotel Palace Gate Hotel
Located right across the road from the Royal Palace, Palace Gate is the pinnacle of old-style Khmer opulence. It is a gorgeous hotel, with very friendly and accommodating staff. Their buffet breakfast menu is expansive, their in-house spa will take care of any troubles you may have, and the pool area is exquisite. One of the best features, however, is their roof top bar full of plants that overlooks the Palace, spectacular as the sun sets. If the vegan options on the menu don’t appeal, you’ll find a Backyard café just around the corner. #44B, Sothearos Blvd Khan Daun Penh, Sangkat Chey, Chumnea, Phnom Penh 12206 Cambodia | palacegatepp.com YK Arthouse offers guests a tranquil stay in Phnom Penh surrounded by places to eat and explore right on your doorstep. Photo © YK Arthouse Plantation Urban Resort and Spa Plantation Urban Resort and Spa
A green oasis in the heart of the city, Plantation is known for its gorgeous pool – a must in the steamy Phnom Penh heat. The complex has an opulent restaurant and bar, and often hosts art exhibitions of Phnom Penh’s best. 28 Samdach Preah Thoamak Lekhet Ouk St. (184), Phnom Penh 12206, Cambodia | theplantation.asia iRoHa Garden Hotel & Resort iRoHa Garden Hotel & Resort
A go-to staycation resort for Phnom Penh residents, the iRoHa is beautifully designed with a careful artisan’s eye. With a pool and luscious gardens, the iRoHa provides much-needed respite from the hustle and bustle of the city. No8,Street73, Sangkat Tonle Bassac, Khan Chamkarmorn, Phnom Penh Cambodia | iroha-garden-resort.hotels-phnom-penh.net Patio H otel Patio H otel
Another favourite, this hotel is encased in a tall building in BKK1, rather than a sprawling green garden compound like the resorts above. What sets it apart is the excellent, friendly service, and the rooftop swimming pool with views across the city, Silver Pagoda and Royal Palace. It is located down a side street known for its bars and restaurants (though the noise doesn’t reach you in the hotel). One neighbouring bar is a hidden speakeasy, with its entrance found just behind a Coke vending machine. 134Z Rue Pasteur No. 51, Phnom Penh, Cambodia | patio-hotel.com Patio Hotel boasts a rooftop swimming pool with views across the city and the Silver Pagoda and Royal Palace. Photo © PATIO Hotel & Urban Resort Getting there Getting there
Thai Airways, Singapore Airlines, Malaysia and China Southern all fly from London to Phnom Penh, with a stop in their own base. Featured photo © Pipop_Boosarakumwadi via Getty Images
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