Food & Water Safety in Cambodia

Follow the crowds: A busy stall means high turnover — food is cooked fresh, not sitting around. Empty stalls may have food that has been sitting for hours.

Watch the cooking: Food should be cooked to order, served hot, and prepared in front of you. If you can see the cooking process, that's a good sign.

Avoid raw items: Skip raw vegetables and salads from street vendors — they may be washed in tap water. Cooked vegetables are fine. Raw meat (rare steak, sashimi) from street vendors is risky.

Utensils: Chopsticks and spoons at food stalls are usually washed and safe. If concerned, wipe them with a tissue or hand sanitizer before use. Many stalls provide disposable chopsticks.

Best street food bets:: Noodle soups (boiling hot), grilled meats on skewers (thoroughly cooked), fried rice and noodles (high heat), and fresh tropical fruit you peel yourself. See our Street Food Guide for specific recommendations.

Tourist restaurants: Restaurants catering to tourists in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Kampot generally maintain good food safety standards. Salads, smoothies, and ice are safe in established restaurants.

Local restaurants: Small local eateries ("bai sach chrouk" shops, noodle houses) serve some of the best food in Cambodia. They may look basic, but the food is fresh and the cooking is skilled. A packed lunchtime spot is a reliable choice.

Buffets: Exercise caution with buffets — food may sit at lukewarm temperatures for extended periods. Hotel breakfast buffets are generally well-managed, but cheap all-you-can-eat tourist buffets are riskier.

Wash hands frequently: Before eating, after using the bathroom, after handling money. Carry hand sanitizer (alcohol-based, 60%+) for situations where soap and water are not available.

Ease in gradually: Your stomach needs time to adjust to new bacteria. Don't eat the spiciest, most adventurous food on day one. Start with simple, well-cooked dishes and build up.

Probiotics: Many experienced travelers take probiotic supplements starting a week before the trip. Evidence is mixed, but many swear by it for reducing stomach issues.

Avoid excess alcohol: Alcohol dehydrates you and lowers your resistance. In hot climates, moderate your intake and match each alcoholic drink with a glass of water.

ORS (Oral Rehydration Salts): Available at every pharmacy for under $1. This is your first line of defense against dehydration from diarrhea. Mix with purified water and drink frequently.

BRAT diet: Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast — bland foods that are easy on the stomach. Cambodia has excellent plain rice and banana options everywhere.

Loperamide (Imodium): Useful for stopping diarrhea when you absolutely must travel (long bus rides). Available without prescription at pharmacies. Not recommended for prolonged use.

When to see a doctor: Blood in stool, fever above 38.5°C, symptoms lasting more than 48 hours, severe dehydration (dark urine, dizziness), or inability to keep fluids down. Phnom Penh and Siem Reap have international clinics.