Authentic Khmer cuisine in a local Cambodian home

Meet Sela

Sela has two passions - adventure treks off the beaten path, and cooking. He has been serving traditional Muskovy Duck Soup (the dish that gave the place its name) to the locals every evening at his restaurant, a local spot adjacent next to his family home in a neighborhood not far from downtown Siem Reap. His secret to cooking a scrumptious meal is using the freshest, highest quality ingredients, which are often organic and always local. Running his restaurant has not only helped him improve his cooking skills but also made him realize how much he enjoys meeting new people and sharing meals together. His loving family, including his wife, four children and business partner Michal, are often part of the experience that takes place outdoors in his restaurant, adjacent to his home.

What to expect

Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.

In-home meal (1 - 8 guests) Sela lives in a modest, rural house about 3km from the city center that hosts a restaurant and a beautiful garden with many herbs and vegetables that Sela grows himself. He has dogs, ducks, chickens and fish on the property, giving you a chance to be part of a truly local, authentic experience. After a brief introduction to Khmer cuisine, sit down with Sela and his family to eat a typically Cambodian meal that is not found in restaurants but it is what the locals eat at home. A few of the dishes that you may try are somlor kakor (smoked rice, mixed vegetables, pork and fish), fish salad with banana, prahok ktiss (spicy pork dip) and Cambodian beef jerky. This is a rural experience that might not be for every traveler; be prepared for farm animals to be present during your meal or cooking experience, and to experience a very authentic glimpse of local Cambodian life.

Cooking experience (1 - 8 guests) You will join Sela and his wife in their outdoor restaurant to cook popular local Khmer dishes. The cooking class is set up outside next to the garden, making it very convenient to pick fresh herbs like mint and basil for your meal. This is a hands-on class - with the help of Sela you will make four Khmer dishes from scratch. Learn about Cambodian food, culture, agriculture and their way of life during your two-hour cooking class with Sela.

Market visit (1 - 8 guests) After Sela picks you up from the hotel he will accompany you to the market, located a five-minute walk from his home. This is a local open market where Sela will show you various fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, spices and meat. You will buy a few fresh ingredients needed for your cooking class, if booked, and even learn to bargain Cambodian-style!

PERSONALLY VETTED REVIEW

A Traveling Spoon ambassador visited this host. Here is their personal review.

Meeting Sela and his family is a very authentic Cambodian experience. Such as all people in this country, they are so nice and want to share their culture and daily life with honesty and simplicity. Sela is really open-minded and shared with us his vision for Cambodia and permaculture. The class is a real cooking experience: we learnt how to cook four traditional Cambodian meals with Sela and his wife’s help and advice. Going to the market before is also very interesting and immersive because we can see “real Cambodian life” and Sela also gave us a detailed explanation on the local food and made us taste some fresh fruits at the market. The lunch is also a very pleasant and convivial moment and you cannot leave Sela’s house without smiling and being happy to have met so kind people and share half of your day with them.

Vanessa, Traveling Spoon Ambassador

Traveler reviews