Beautiful Battambang province has consistently earned national recognition across three areas in recent years; producing nationally renowned artists, having historic colonial-era buildings and, most famously, its unique local cuisine.
Now authentic Battambang cuisine has come to Phnom Penh, brought to the capital by a young entrepreneur from the province.
The restaurant, named Ptas Nak Battambang (or the House of Battambang), diligently sticks to authentic recipes from the region, even using traditional Battambang kitchen utensils and cookware.
Food is served in a bamboo basket and banana leaves instead of bowls and plates, while traditional clay pots are used for the soup. Coconut shells are also used for fish amok and silver carving cups are used for drinks and Khmer desserts.
The restaurant’s general manager is 25-year-old Battambang local Chorn Chhun Yi. She told The Post that she wanted to share her local cuisine with the capital.
“I’m a person who likes to eat out. Then one day, I thought to myself, what if I have my own restaurant using homemade dishes from my province,” she says.
Chun Yi added that maintaining the local identity and authenticity of the cuisine is very important.
“I prefer to use clay pots, bamboo baskets and other traditional things rather than use modern stuff. It costs me more, but I’m hoping to promote Khmer food in its original way.”
With its simple decor, Ptas Nak Battambang almost looks like an ordinary Cambodian home, something Chhun Yi did to create an authentic, home-style vibe.
She says the most popular dishes are Sang Vak (grilled sour fish paste wrapped in banana leaves), fish amok (a curry and perhaps Cambodia’s most famous national dish), fish egg sour soup and roast honey chicken.
For those with a sweet tooth, the restaurant serves the Khmer desserts sweet noodles, coconut ice-cream, and milky coconut flesh, among others.
The restaurant has three locations, with the main branch in Toul Kork on Street 548. It is open from 10am until 10pm. For more information, contact the restaurant via phone (012542562 and 0964995898).
