Cost of Food in Cambodia Per Day: Eat Well on ₹483 (~5 USD)
✅ Last verified on-the-ground: 2026-07-21
Cambodia is one of the cheapest food countries in Southeast Asia, and “cost of food in Cambodia per day” lands at ₹290 (~3 USD) to ₹676 (~7 USD) if you eat where locals eat. Mix in Indian restaurants and the occasional Western plate, plan ₹772 (~8 USD) to ₹1,158 (~12 USD) a day.
Quick Answers
| What | Answer | Price (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Breakfast (street) | Num pang cart | ₹48-₹97 (~0.50-1 USD) |
| Lunch (local) | Rice + 2 dishes at a market | ₹145-₹241 (~1.50-2.50 USD) |
| Dinner (street food) | Skewers + soup stall | ₹193-₹290 (~2-3 USD) |
| Snacks (3-4 items) | Khanom snack stalls | ₹48-₹97 (~0.50-1 USD) |
| Indian thali fallback | Indian restaurant | ₹483-₹676 (~5-7 USD) |
| Western/Western-fusion sit-down | Sit-down dinner | ₹579-₹965 (~6-10 USD) |
| Daily average (no sit-downs) | Across Cambodia | ₹290-₹483 (~3-5 USD) |
All prices verified at 1 USD ≈ 4,000 KHR (Central Bank mid-rate, June 2026).
Where to Eat on Each Budget
Subodh’s Pro Tip: Cambodian riel (KHR) circulates alongside USD everywhere outside the smallest markets. Get small change in riel (₹97 (~1 USD) bills are tolerated, coins are not) and you’ll pay closer to the local price. Big notes get rounded up.
Budget: ₹290-₹483 (~3-5 USD) a Day (No Sit-Downs)
This is how most working Cambodians eat, and it’s the realistic floor for the cost of food in Cambodia per day if you skip the sit-down restaurants.
- Breakfast: A num pang (Cambodian baguette sandwich) from a roadside cart costs ₹72-₹97 (~0.75-1 USD). Egg, pickled carrots, cucumber, mayo, soy sauce. Coffee is ₹48 (~0.50 USD) from the same cart. Both feed you until 1pm.
- Lunch: A plate of bai cha (rice with three stir-fried dishes of your choosing from the open kitchen) at any neighbourhood market costs ₹145-₹241 (~1.50-2.50 USD). Pile on the cabbage, morning glory, and a meat or fish dish.
- Dinner: Grilled meat skewers (₹48 (~0.50 USD) each), a bowl of samlor korko or noodle soup (₹145-₹193 (~1.50-2 USD)), and a sugar-cane juice (₹48-₹97 (~0.50-1 USD)). Total ₹290-₹386 (~3-4 USD).
- Snacks: Khanom (savoury mini-pancakes), mung-bean cakes, sticky rice in bamboo, deep-fried bananas, ₹24-₹48 (~0.25-0.50 USD) each.
Mid-Range: ₹483-₹965 (~5-10 USD) a Day
Add one sit-down meal plus street food for the other two. You’ll cover every dish below in the recommended spots.
- One sit-down dinner at a Cambodian restaurant like Smokin’ Pot Authentic Cambodian Restaurant and Cooking School (4.9 on Google), HoubHoub Cambodian Restaurant (BKK1) (4.8), or Cambodia Kitchen (4.9). Mains run ₹386-₹676 (~4-7 USD). The cooking class at Smokin’ Pot is honest about local flavours and family-run.
- One café breakfast with an espresso or Khmer coffee: ₹193-₹386 (~2-4 USD).
- A seafood dinner on the coast or in Phnom Penh: Barracuda Seafood Restaurant (4.9) gets the strongest reviews for ocean views and a relaxed atmosphere, sunset timing recommended.
Splurge: ₹965-₹1,448 (~10-15 USD) a Day
Western-fusion sit-downs, the Phare Cambodian Circus with dinner buffet, a proper Indian meal, depending on your definition of splurge.
- Phare, The Cambodian Circus (4.8) in Siem Reap sells a dinner-and-show package around ₹1,738-₹2,703 (~18-28 USD). The circus itself is the only reason to book this. Travellers report the buffet is generous.
- Western/Western-fusion sit-downs with cocktails: ₹869-₹1,448 (~9-15 USD) per head.
The Actual Dish List (and Why They’re So Cheap)
Safety Note: Cambodia street food is generally safe because turnover is high and the heat does the rest. Stick to stalls cooking food in front of you, avoid raw greens you didn’t see washed, peel the fruit. Wash your hands or carry sanitizer.
These are the dishes a ₹483 (~5 USD) day runs on:
- Bai cha (rice + dishes): The backbone of local eating. You point at what’s in the open trays, the server scoops it onto rice. ₹145-₹241 (~1.50-2.50 USD) fills the plate.
- Num pang: The Cambodian take on a banh mi. Cheaper than Vietnam’s, pork or egg most common.
- Kuy teav (noodle soup): Breakfast noodle soup, ₹97-₹193 (~1-2 USD) at any morning stall.
- Samlor korko: The national stew, made with green papaya, fish, peanuts and a fermented fish base called prahok. Acquired taste, excellent when you’re acclimatised.
- Loc lac: Stir-fried beef cubes on rice with a lime-pepper dipping sauce. The “Khmer steak.” ₹290-₹483 (~3-5 USD) at any local spot.
- Amok trey: Fish curry steamed in banana leaf with coconut and lemongrass. Tourist-famous, still only ₹290-₹483 (~3-5 USD) in Cambodia.
- Grilled skewers + beer: Pork, beef, squid. ₹48-₹97 (~0.50-1 USD) per skewer, ₹48-₹97 (~0.50-1 USD) for a small beer.
Where to Eat in Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh has the largest Indian food scene in Cambodia, which is why the city handles the veg-traveller case better than Siem Reap.
Street and Markets
- BKK1 market area, mornings (around St. 51 and St. 63): best bai cha and kuy teav in the city. Budget ₹193-₹290 (~2-3 USD) per meal.
- Night market by the river: skewers, fried noodles, cheap draught beer. Plan ₹386-₹483 (~4-5 USD) for a full dinner with two beers.
- Russian Market area food stalls: grilled seafood and a lot of Cambodian-Chinese fusion. Plan ₹386-₹676 (~4-7 USD).
Sit-Down Restaurants
If you want a sit-down Cambodian meal where the food is consistent, these are traveller favourites:
- Smokin’ Pot Authentic Cambodian Restaurant and Cooking School (4.9): Family-run, and the cooking school is hands-on, half-day, ₹1,931-₹2,413 (~20-25 USD).
- HoubHoub Cambodian Restaurant (BKK1) (4.8): Lively local atmosphere, Khmer classics done well. Mains ₹386-₹676 (~4-7 USD).
- Cambodia Kitchen (4.9): Rustic setting, authentic Cambodian menu. A reliable answer for “I want one good sit-down Khmer meal.”
- Barracuda Seafood Restaurant (4.9): Coastal seafood, ocean views, sunset timing. If the trip includes Kep or Kampot, this is the dinner table.
Indian Food (when you need dal-chawal)
Indian restaurants in Phnom Penh land higher than local Khmer stalls, typically ₹483-₹869 (~5-9 USD) for a thali, but the food is genuinely Indian. Worth the cost of food in Cambodia per day rising for a day or two when veg-travellers dial up.
- Don’s Mumbai Chaat (4.9): The strongest reviews for chaat and street-food-style Indian plates in the city. Casual, walk-in friendly.
- MDSK - Best Vegan Masala Dosa & Indian Street Food Phnom Penh (4.7): Pure veg, masala dosa and vada pav stand out.
- Per-person spend: ₹483 (~5 USD).
- Mekong Authentic Indian Restaurant (pure Indian food) (4.9): North Indian, tandoori and curries, family-style. Set-thali around ₹676-₹869 (~7-9 USD).
Where to Eat in Siem Reap
Siem Reap runs 10-15% cheaper than Phnom Penh for street food but pricier for Western and Indian. Many travellers come here for the temples and end up spending more on food because the menus are built around tourists.
Street, Markets, and Cafés
- Pub Street area at lunch (before the tourist crowd arrives): the same ₹145-₹241 (~1.50-2.50 USD)bai cha plates.
- Phsar Chas (Old Market): grilled skewers, fruit shakes (₹97-₹145 (~1-1.50 USD)), and the cheapest morning coffee in town (₹48 (~0.50 USD)).
- Back-street cafés around Wat Bo area: Khmer coffee is a regional highlight. ₹97-₹193 (~1-2 USD) for a cup.
Sit-Down
- Khmer tasting menus around Pub Street: well-known spots offer set menus around ₹1,448-₹1,931 (~15-20 USD) without drinks. Ask your hostel which one has the best set menu this month — Siem Reap restaurant quality rotates.
- Phare, The Cambodian Circus (4.8): dinner-and-show package in Siem Reap. Circus itself starts from ₹1,738 (~18 USD), dinner upgrades available. The performance funds Cambodian youth arts programs, so it’s also where your money does more.
Money Mechanics for Cheap Eating
How to Pay at a Market, Stall, or Restaurant
Cambodia is one of the few countries where the US dollar is the primary note. Two rules keep you from overpaying:
- Bring small denominations (₹97 (~1 USD), ₹483 (~5 USD)). A stall that has no change for a ₹1,931 (~20 USD) will round up. The way to avoid this is riel change below ₹483 (~5 USD).
- Riel is needed for change below ₹97 (~1 USD). USD alone can’t pay for a ₹48 (~0.50 USD) skewer without the merchant losing money.
Cards and Mobile Payments
Cards work at sit-downs and bigger cafés but fail at stalls and markets. Cash is king for street food. For a multi-week trip, see Using ATMs in Cambodia: Fees, Limits, Withdrawal Tips for Indian Travelers and Currency Exchange: Cambodia Phnom Penh Airport for the cheapest way to keep riel and USD loaded.
Currency Math Cheat Sheet
At current rates (1 USD ≈ ₹96.33, 1 KHR ≈ ₹0.024), here’s the math for a day:
| Spending | USD | KHR | INR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Street food only | ₹290-₹483 (~3-5 USD) | ₹286-₹477 (~12,000-20,000 KHR or ~$2.97-$4.94) | ₹290-₹480 (~$3-$4.97) |
| Mid-range with one sit-down | ₹483-₹965 (~5-10 USD) | ₹477-₹954 (~20,000-40,000 KHR or ~$4.94-$9.88) | ₹480-₹965 (~$4.97-$10) |
| With Indian restaurant dinner | ₹772-₹1,158 (~8-12 USD) | ₹763-₹1,145 (~32,000-48,000 KHR or ~$7.91-$11.86) | ₹770-₹1,155 (~$7.98-$11.97) |
This is what drives the average food cost in Cambodia down to one of the lowest in Southeast Asia.
Daily Food Budget Templates
| Style | Daily Total | What it Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Ultra-budget (street food only, no alcohol) | ₹286-₹477 (~12,000-20,000 KHR or ~$2.97-$4.94) | 3 street meals + snacks, self-brewed coffee |
| Standard backpacker (street food + 1 sit-down) | ₹477-₹763 (~20,000-32,000 KHR or ~$4.94-$7.91) | 2 street meals + 1 sit-down dinner, coffee, snacks |
| Comfortable (mixed, Indian/Vietnamese food in too) | ₹763-₹1,145 (~32,000-48,000 KHR or ~$7.91-$11.86) | All sit-down, occasional Indian, drinks |
| Western-leaning (sit-downs, café breakfast, bar evenings) | ₹1,145-₹1,717 (~48,000-72,000 KHR or ~$11.86-$17.79) | Mostly restaurants, nightly happy hour |
For a full trip budget alongside flights, visa, SIM, and accommodation, see Cambodia Trip Cost from India: A Backpacker Breakdown for 2026.
What Indian Travellers Specifically Overpay On (and How to Avoid It)
Three traps turn a ₹483 (~5 USD) day into a ₹1,448 (~15 USD) day fast:
- Pub Street dinners in Siem Reap. Same Khmer food, double the price once the tourist flow hits. Walk two streets back to the main road and the price drops.
- Restaurants inside hotel/museum compounds. The same bai cha costs ₹483 (~5 USD) instead of ₹193 (~2 USD) next door.
- Indian restaurants every meal. Fine for veg-travellers who need it twice a week. Daily drives daily cost of food in Cambodia per day to ₹965 (~10 USD)+. Mix in Khmer stalls for breakfast and lunch.
Subodh’s Pro Tip: Eat Indian for one meal, Khmer street for two. You stay close to ₹676 (~7 USD) per day and your gut doesn’t betray you the way it does on a Western-sit-down rotation.
Food Safety and Health
Three rules keep a ₹483 (~5 USD) day from turning into a ₹4,826 (~50 USD) day with a clinic visit:
- Drink only bottled or filtered water. A 1.5L bottle is ₹48-₹97 (~0.50-1 USD), every guesthouse sells them.
- Avoid raw leafy greens at low-turnover stalls. Pick stalls with heavy traffic.
- Carry ORS and a basic antibiotic course. Outside Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, clinics are thin and English-thin too. Travel insurance helps you get to Bangkok for serious stuff. See the footer below.
For broader safety framing by city, see Cambodia Safe for Indian Tourists. General pre-trip safety context (and a current advisories check) should come from the MEA travel advisory portal before departure, plus the destination government’s own foreign-affairs site, since specific local incidents and timing can shift week to week.
Sample Food Day in Phnom Penh (Total: ₹386-₹483 (~4-5 USD))
- 7am: Num pang sandwich from a BKK1 cart (₹97 (~1 USD)) + iced coffee with condensed milk (₹72 (~0.75 USD))
- 12pm: Bai cha at BKK1 market, two vegetables and a fish dish (₹193 (~2 USD))
- 4pm: Fried banana snack (₹48 (~0.50 USD)) + sugar-cane juice (₹72 (~0.75 USD))
- 7pm: Grilled pork skewers (₹193 (~2 USD) for four) + samlor korko (₹145 (~1.50 USD)) + small Angkor beer (₹97 (~1 USD))
- Total: ₹917 (~9.50 USD) with alcohol, ₹724 (~7.50 USD) without
Adjust by skipping the beer or downgrading to street breakfast and you sit at the ₹290-₹483 (~3-5 USD) floor for average food cost in Cambodia.
FAQ
What’s the realistic cost of food in Cambodia per day on the street? ₹290-₹483 (~3-5 USD) if you skip alcohol and stick to markets, carts, and skewer stalls. This is the realistic floor.
How much should I budget per day for Indian food in Cambodia? ₹483-₹869 (~5-9 USD) for a thali, but most travellers mix Khmer street food for breakfast and lunch, so the daily budget ends up ₹579-₹869 (~6-9 USD) with one Indian dinner.
Is Cambodia cheaper than Thailand or Vietnam for food? Yes. Same Khmer-style rice-and-dishes plate is ₹145-₹193 (~1.50-2 USD) in Cambodia, ₹241-₹338 (~2.50-3.50 USD) in Bangkok, ₹193-₹290 (~2-3 USD) in HCMC. Street skewers and beer are also lower.
Can I pay for street food with a card? No. Cash, in USD or KHR, is the only way for stalls and markets. Sit-downs in tourist zones and large Indian restaurants take cards.
Do I need to convert money to riel or can I just use dollars everywhere? Both work. Most small purchases in riel resolve the rounding in your favour, so ask for change in KHR. Small denominations are essential either way. See Cambodia Banknotes: The Cambodian Riel (KHR) and Where to Exchange Your Currency for the practical details.
Is the food safe in Cambodia for Indian travellers? Travellers report no major concerns. Stick to cooked-to-order stalls, peel fruit, avoid uncooked greens, drink bottled or filtered water. Carry ORS. The same guidelines apply in Siem Reap and the coastal areas.
Subodh’s Take
The good thing about Cambodia on a backpacker budget is that a ₹483 (~5 USD) day is genuinely livable. The bad thing is that India-travellers overthink the cost of food in Cambodia per day and end up safe-playing with ₹1,448 (~15 USD) restaurant budgets. Eat one Indian meal a week, street everything else, and your wallet and palate both thank you. The next country on the same trip, Vietnam, prices things differently, so save room in the budget for Hanoi street food when you cross the border. For route planning from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap and onward, see Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh. For the full regional context, the Southeast Asia Backpacking Hub pulls all of this together.
