Nom Banh Chok

Nom Banh Chok

នំបញ្ចុក (nom bahn-CHOK)

Khmer Green Curry Noodles

Prep Time 45 min
📈 Difficulty Hard
👥 Servings
4
🔥 Calories 354 kcal

Fresh rice noodles topped with a green fish-based curry sauce made with lemongrass, turmeric, and galangal, garnished with raw vegetables and herbs.

Nutrition & Info

360 kcal per serving
Protein 26.0g
Carbs 40.0g
Fat 10.0g
Protein Carbs Fat

Dietary

nut-free

Allergen Warnings

⚠ fish

Equipment Needed

mortar and pestle wok large pot

Presentation Guide

Vessel: shallow bowl

Garnishes: fresh herbs, banana blossom

Accompaniments: chili paste

Instructions

  1. 1

    Poach fish in water until cooked. Flake and set aside, reserving the cooking liquid.

  2. 2

    Fry kroeung paste until fragrant. Add coconut milk and reserved fish liquid.

  3. 3

    Add flaked fish to the curry sauce. Simmer until thickened. Season with fish sauce.

  4. 4

    Arrange fresh rice noodles in bowls. Ladle the green curry sauce over the noodles.

  5. 5

    Top with banana blossom, bean sprouts, cucumber, long beans, mint, and basil.

💡

Did You Know?

Nom banh chok is called Khmer noodles because it predates all foreign noodle influences in Cambodia.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

  • mortar and pestle
  • wok
  • large pot

Garnishing

fresh herbs, banana blossom

Accompaniments

chili paste

The Story Behind Nom Banh Chok

Nom banh chok is considered the most authentically Khmer noodle dish, predating Chinese and Vietnamese culinary influences. The fresh rice noodles are traditionally made by hand in villages.

The green curry topping is made from pounded kroeung paste with fish, creating a sauce unique to Cambodian cuisine. It is the most common breakfast sold by women carrying baskets through neighborhoods at dawn.

The dish survived the Khmer Rouge era through oral tradition and has been recognized as part of Cambodia's intangible cultural heritage.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed breakfast 📜 Origins: Pre-Angkor period

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