VACATION DETAILS

Traveling Spoon

Sela has two passions - off-the-beaten-path adventure treks, and cooking. He has been serving traditional Muskovy Duck Soup to 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. 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 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. If you book a cooking experience, 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, agriculture and culture during your two-hour cooking class with Sela. Sela also offers an optional market tour add-on, during which you can tour a local 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 and learn to bargain Cambodian-style!