You haven’t truly wandered the streets of Cambodia until you’ve had a bag of num chek chien in hand—Cambodia’s famous fried banana snack.
There’s something magical about it. You’ll spot an auntie at a corner stall with a wok bubbling away, and the sweet scent of frying bananas will hit you before you even see them. For just a few hundred riel, you get these golden, crispy delights—bananas dipped in a light batter of rice flour, coconut, sesame, and sometimes a pinch of salt. Crunchy on the outside, soft and warm in the center… it’s the kind of street food that instantly feels like a hug.
Locals usually grab a bag as a quick breakfast or an afternoon pick-me-up. And trust me—once you try it, you’ll find yourself craving it again before the trip’s even over.
So when you’re walking the markets or exploring a temple and hear that satisfying sizzle, don’t walk past. Ask for “num chek chien” (say: noom chek chee-uhn) with a smile, and you’ll be met with one back.
It’s more than just a snack—it’s a little piece of Cambodia’s flavor and soul. This food pairs perfectly with sugar cane juice. You can almost be sure that it's next to each other.
Crispy Fried Banana
This is something you can see when you travel in Cambodia, this cart of hard-working people selling fired bananas on the street.
When you see them, please support them. They are always friendly and we've never heard any stories of them selling them more expensive than to Khmer people.