Eating in Kampong Cham

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• SMILE is run by the local NGO, Buddhism and Society Development Association, (BSDA) as a training restaurant for orphans and vulnerable youth, serving tasty Khmer and western dishes. Food’s really nice and healthy - and don’t forget to try the delicious and refreshing fruit shakes. There is a relaxed atmosphere in the restaurant, with a few sofas having direct few on the Mekong in front of it. If you’re around with your laptop, it’s also the only place in town offering free wireless. Looking for a nice place to eat and enjoy your time, this might just be it. Prices are reasonable with food between 2 ½ -5 dollars – and you’re helping a good cause. Riverside Kampong Cham, just north of Mekong Hotel, Tel.: (+855) 42 69 00 605, www.bsda-cambodia.org.
• Mekong Crossing, 12 Pasteur Street, 012-432427, on the road between the food market and the riverbank. A popular (at least among foreigners) restaurant run by an American expat, this small place serves up a variety of western foods, including burgers, pasta, and pizza. Though it does serve "khmer" food, it's heavily westernized as well. Service tends to be slow, even by Khmer standards. Costlier than most, but at no more than $5 USD per dish, it's not going to burn a hole in your moneybelt.

• Lazy Mekong Daze, Ph Sihanouk (at the riverside), is very similar to Mekong Crossing. The style of the place as well as the menu targets mainly foreign customers.Since last april, thee new french owner welcome you with a new choice of dishes and cocktails. You have also a free pool table and good music. A nice restaurant to hang around and they also have some bicycle or boat tours for rent

• Hao An, 012-941234 - Large restaurant on Monivong Blvd. Very tourist friendly, and serves plenty of genuine Khmer food, as well as other Asian cuisine. Excellent place to lounge about and drink beer, and good for shared dishes. Most dishes fetch for around $2-$3 USD.

• San Te Hap Rest. Southeast side of the market in front of pharmacy. Cheap, tasty tofu and seafood dishes for around 2,000 to 4,000 riel. Try the seaweed curry.

• Spien Thmei Restaurant, Ph Preah Bat Sihanouk. Down the road from the Mekong Hotel, Spien Thmei Restaurant (New Bridge Restaurant) is your standard Khmer and Asian restaurant. It's quite large, with oversized doors that never close as long as it's open, though without a doubt you'll remember this place for it's whacky menu. The food is of great quality, but rarely matches what's on the menu. Still, since it's good food regardless of what arrives at your table and you aren't charged more (or perhaps because the staff don't speak much English), be a good patron and don't complain.

• www.bsda-cambodia.org