A dish that tells its story — Banh Chiao reviewed

You can taste history in Banh Chiao if you know what to look for. prahok is a uniquely Cambodian ingredient that foreigners find challenging but locals consider essential. The lightly sweet and fragrant character reflects those layers — kaffir lime doesn't appear by accident; it came from a specific tradition.

The a Siem Reap market food stall setting made sense of it. You understand the food differently when the context is right. sugarcane juice alongside is part of that story. Some food is just fuel. Banh Chiao, properly made, is something more. This version told the story well.