Places to Eat Phnom Penh: Exploring Asian Delights From Chicken Rice to Teppanyaki
- Han'z Socials
- Jul 6
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 8
For the last two weeks, as usual, I've been exploring places to eat in Phnom Penh—whether during solo lunch breaks, dining with colleagues, or after work. The options range from Japanese-Korean fusion eateries and modern Khmer restaurants to comfort foods closest to home like chicken rice. Whether you're a local, expat, or tourist visiting Phnom Penh, these eateries might give you some ideas for your next meal.
Pom Pom
Pom Pom is an Asian Fusion restaurant with Japanese-style ambience reflected in its decor. Located on St 482 in the Toul Tom Poung area, this tiny eatery can seat perhaps 20 people. They serve dishes such as flaky, light-battered fish and chips, gyoza, salmon rice bowls, beef bowl, teriyaki chicken, ramen, and lunch meal sets priced from $4.00–$5.00. Their tiny kitchen serves up delicious meals.
Seolah Cafe
Seolah Cafe, a charming Korean-inspired oasis in the heart of Phnom Penh located on the ground floor of The Peak Tower! Indulge in their fresh-baked pastries, muffins, cheesecake, and soft yet chewy bagels—available plain or with various fillings—alongside aromatic house-roasted coffee. Their menu also features delectable Korean-fusion pasta and rice dishes. All their food, pastries, and baked goods are made in their tiny open-view kitchen. Open daily from morning until 8pm, it's perfect for breakfast cravings, lunch meetups, a workspace for people like me, or afternoon coffee dates!
Kinin
Located on Street 123 in Toul Tom Poung, an area known for its great eateries, Kinin offers the vibe of a traditional Khmer home with its open-space garden. Beyond being aesthetically Instagram-worthy, it's a great place to enjoy modern Khmer and Western food for lunch, brunch, or dinner, with a wide selection of beverages—from fresh fruit shakes to cocktails. What's really great is that vegetarians can have most meat dishes replaced with tempeh or fermented soybeans.
Metal Rice Bowl Teppanyaki
An affordable teppanyaki restaurant that has two locations in Phnom Penh—one at Norolane and another in the Toul Tom Poung area—with average pricing of $6-$12 depending on your selections. What I like about it is that I can dine alone, as I usually do most of the time, and sit in front of the teppanyaki watching my food being cooked at both locations. If you have a bigger group, you might want to choose their location in Toul Tom Poung as they offer various seating options, whereas Norolane offers just over-the-counter eating space right in front of the teppanyaki. Do check out their Facebook page as they often have great promotions.
Toul Tom Poung: https://maps.app.goo.gl/aRR6YfAehgGNFc2V7
Boneless Chicken Rice
For Singaporeans and Malaysians in Phnom Penh, this restaurant offers the closest flavor of chicken rice to what we have back home. I've been eating at this chicken rice restaurant owned by a Singaporean since they opened in 2014. Their first shop was about 500m from the current Pochentong Phnom Penh airport, and their second shop opened around 2017 in the city center along Sothearos Boulevard. A plate of chicken rice costs about $3, and half a chicken is about $10. You can also choose various side dishes to accompany your chicken rice.
Final Thoughts
Phnom Penh's culinary scene continues to evolve with these diverse establishments offering something for every palate. From the cozy Japanese-inspired corners of Pom Pom to the nostalgic flavors of Boneless Chicken Rice, each restaurant brings its unique character to the city's food landscape. Whether you're craving Asian fusion delights, traditional Khmer cuisine with a modern twist, or comfort food that reminds you of home, these eateries deliver exceptional dining experiences at reasonable prices.
Have you visited any of these places? Which one would you try first? I'd love to hear about your experiences in the comments below. Stay tuned to my blog for more hidden gems and culinary adventures across Phnom Penh!
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