Taking a Khmer Cooking Class in Battambang

If there’s one experience in Battambang that made us feel like we were stepping straight into an episode of Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown, it was the Khmer cooking class at Nary (Nary’s) Kitchen. We had lunch at Nary’s Café earlier in the day—everything was delicious—and when we saw they offered a hands-on cooking class, we knew we had to come back.

Exploring Battambang’s Local Market With the Chef

My favorite part of the experience was walking with our chef to the local market to shop for the ingredients we’d be cooking. The market itself is a sensory overload in the best way—vibrant produce, fresh herbs, handmade noodles, spices, and so many sights and smells that reflect the heart of Khmer cuisine.

The most memorable moment? Watching fresh coconut milk being made right in front of us. They fed whole coconuts into a steel milling machine, and out came rich, creamy coconut milk—the key ingredient in the fish amok we’d prepare later. It was one of those small travel moments that sticks with you.

What We Cooked in the Class

Back in the kitchen, we started preparing a full Khmer meal from scratch:

 Vegetable Spring Rolls

We kicked things off with fresh vegetable spring rolls as our appetizer. Simple, crisp, and delicious.

Beef Lok Lak

Next, we moved on to beef lok lak, learning how to make their secret marinade using a special chicken-seasoning sauce. It’s one of Cambodia’s most iconic dishes and easily one of my favorites.

 Fish Amok

Then came the star: fish amok. Using the ingredients we picked up at the market, we made a flavorful paste in a mortar and pestle—lemongrass, turmeric, garlic, galangal, and more—before wrapping the seasoned fish in banana leaves and steaming it to perfection. Fresh coconut milk made all the difference.

Sweet Banana Dessert

To finish off, we made a classic Cambodian dessert of sweet bananas—simple but comforting.

Why You Should Take a Cooking Class at Nary’s Kitchen

Nary’s offers more than just a cooking lesson. It’s a market-to-table experience that helps you understand Cambodian food through the people, ingredients, and traditions that make it special. Plus, the chefs give you the recipes to take home, so you can recreate everything long after your trip.

Whether you stop in for lunch or sign up for the cooking class, Nary’s Kitchen should absolutely be on your Battambang itinerary.

Stay tuned—we’re also sharing our visit to Phare Ponleu Selpak, Battambang’s incredible local circus and creative arts program.