As we gathered for our final day in Phnom Penh, the air felt heavy with the knowledge that this would be our last adventure here before we set off for Laos. We checked out of Luxcity, ready for one last journey with our tour guide Hong. Today, our path would take us into the heart of the city’s culture—Boeng Keng Kang Market—and into a cooking class where we would learn to prepare traditional Cambodian dishes. We knew this day would challenge our perceptions, push us into our stretch zone, and fuel our curiosity about the world we were here to explore.
The moment we stepped into Boeng Keng Kang Market, we were struck by the sheer density of life packed into every corner. Stalls overflowing with produce, herbs, meat, and fish crowded the market, with sellers arranging their goods in a way that made the most of every square inch, making the market feel alive, pulsing with energy.
What felt chaotic to us was completely natural to the locals. Every interaction, every motion in the market had a purpose, even if it wasn’t immediately clear to us. As we walked through the narrow pathways, it was clear that while the best practices for food safety differed from what we knew, there was an order and rhythm to the market that worked for this community.
The smells in the market were something we won’t soon forget. A combination of both raw and cooked goods, the scents mingled in the thick heat of the day, creating an unmatched sensory experience. The high temperatures and humidity made the air feel even heavier, and it was as if the market itself had its own climate, wrapped in the unique combination of aromas and warmth. It was overwhelming, yet fascinating—another opportunity for us to lean into our curiosity and embrace the unfamiliar.
The market experience was more than just an activity—it helped cement the purpose behind this journey and our appreciation for Cambodian culture deepened as a result. We came here to stretch ourselves, to step outside of our comfort zones and into the unknown. What felt strange and new to us was normal to the people we were meeting, and that realization pushed us to reflect on our own experiences and how we relate to the world around us. We learned that sometimes the greatest growth comes from letting go of what we think we know and opening ourselves up to new perspectives.
With the experience of the market fresh in our minds, we headed to the cooking class…
“Tell me what you eat, and I’ll tell you who you are.” – Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin
Experiencing a culture through food brings you to a new depth of immersion—and that’s exactly what happened when we took a cooking class in Phnom Penh. We’d already been feasting on mouth-watering Cambodian dishes for days, but today, the tables turned as we stepped behind the stove ourselves. After wandering through the bustling market to gather ingredients, we returned to Banana Tree Restaurant, where Chef Lom Ang guided us in making an appetizer of fresh spring rolls, a main course of Fish Amok, and a dessert of Banana Palm.
With aprons tied and chef hats on, we lined up at our cooking stations ready to transform our market basket of fresh produce and fish. The hands-on nature of chopping fragrant turmeric, peeling ginger root, and crafting curry paste gave us a whole new respect for the flavors we’d come to love. Each ingredient had a story and a role—just yesterday, we’d seen the same ginger and lemongrass growing in the Cambodian countryside. As we heated up our freshly ground curry paste, the room filled with an aroma that no words (or pictures) could fully capture.
Chef Lom Ang’s patient instructions kept us all in line, though some quickly revealed themselves as “occasional” cooks at best. And yes, the stakes were real: our lunch was entirely in our hands. No one’s trading in day jobs to become chefs, but under Chef Lom Ang’s watchful eye, we all managed to plate up something edible— and dare we say, impressive.
And the result? In our own eyes, we were practically Michelin contenders. The Fish Amok was a creamy, aromatic medley of spices that felt like a culinary love letter to Cambodian tradition. We were all patting ourselves on the back as we gave our compliments to the chefs.
Chef Lom Ang sent us home with recipes, so we can try to recreate these dishes for our families when we return. But more than a recipe, we’re bringing home a little piece of Cambodia: its warmth, its patience, and its ability to make even the simplest meal feel like a shared celebration of culture and community.
This was our final day in Cambodia, and we left the cooking class the same way we departed the country—overflowing with joy and love. Cambodia is an intriguing place, a tapestry woven with threads of history, culture, and resilience. It possesses a mystery and a magic that is difficult to articulate. Radically unknowable yet somehow deeply familiar.
During our time in Cambodia, we experienced a cultural dichotomy that few other countries can rival. On one hand, the vibrant streets pulse with life—the laughter of children, the smell of street food and the warmth of the people we encountered. On the other hand, the shadows of a difficult past loom large, reminding us of the resilience required to rebuild and heal. The echoes of history resonate in every corner, a testament to the strength of the Cambodian spirit. This juxtaposition highlights a profound truth: that two things can be true.
As we reflected on our experiences, we felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the lessons learned and the connections made. We don’t know what wonder awaits us in Laos, but if it is anything close to the magic we found in Cambodia, we are leaving profoundly changed.
With hearts full of appreciation and anticipation, we carry the essence of Cambodia with us, ready to embrace whatever comes next on our journey.
With gratitude,
Joe, Jodi, Hillari and the members of Class 53
