What is Fish Head Soup?
A rustic, nourishing soup that uses the flavorful head of large freshwater fish. The head is simmered with vegetables, tamarind, lemongrass, and herbs until the broth is deeply savory and the cheek meat is fall-apart tender. Considered a prized cut in Cambodian cuisine, the fish head provides rich, gelatinous texture and concentrated flavor.
- Price range: $2–6
- Spice level: No spice
- Best cities to try it: Battambang, Kampong Cham, Phnom Penh, Kratie
- The cheek meat is the best part — tender and flavorful. Don't miss the rich broth with rice.
Fish Head Soup
$2–6សម្លក្បាលត្រី
A rustic, nourishing soup that uses the flavorful head of large freshwater fish. The head is simmered with vegetables, tamarind, lemongrass, and herbs until the broth is deeply savory and the cheek meat is fall-apart tender. Considered a prized cut in Cambodian cuisine, the fish head provides rich, gelatinous texture and concentrated flavor.
Key Ingredients
- fish head
- tamarind
- lemongrass
- vegetables
- tomato
- fish sauce
- herbs
Where to Find
- local restaurants
- riverside restaurants
- countryside eateries
Best Cities
Dietary Information
Insider Tip
The cheek meat is the best part — tender and flavorful. Don't miss the rich broth with rice.
Frequently Asked Questions
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