Khmer New Year is a traditional ceremony that is celebrated annually to mark the end of the harvest season and the beginning of a new year. In the morning, most Cambodians visit the pagoda with food to pay respect to the monks, as they believe that doing so will prevent the spirits of their deceased relatives from seeking offerings in vain. If you plan to participate in this ceremony, here are some of the traditional Khmer foods that you should bring to the pagoda.

1. Num Banh Chok (Khmer Noodle) 

Num Banhchok is a traditional Khmer dish made with hand-made noodles. The noodles are made by grinding fermented rice in heavy stone mills. The dish is served with various types of soup, but the traditional Num Banh Chok Somlor Khmer is perfect to enjoy in warm weather. It consists of rice noodles topped with a cool fish gravy and crisp raw vegetables such as cucumbers, banana blossom, and water lily stems. Fresh herbs like basil and mint are also added to enhance the flavor.

2. Fish Amok 

Fish amok is a traditional Cambodian dish that is considered one of the country's national dishes. It is a steamed fish curry with a mousse-like consistency. To prepare the dish, fish fillets are typically rubbed with freshly made yellow or green kroeung, which is a blend of herbs and spices, and mixed with coconut cream or coconut milk and eggs. The name "amok" comes from the Khmer word for steaming banana leaves. 

3. Braised Pork Belly 

This dish is extremely popular among Cambodians and is often prepared for national events. Braised pork belly is the main ingredient, cooked in a rich, flavorful broth that is made with caramelized palm sugar, star anise, garlic, and Kampot pepper. Depending on personal preferences, the dish can be enhanced with hard-boiled eggs, roasted tofu, and tender bamboo shoots.

4. Num Ansom 

Num Ansom is a significant component of Cambodian culture and tradition. It is a sticky rice cake that is made from glutinous rice filled with mung beans, bananas, jackfruits, and pork. The cake is then wrapped with banana leaves and cooked twine to steam. During Khmer New Year, most families spend time preparing this sticky rice cake to offer to monks at temples or to enjoy with their family members. The Sticky Rice Cake holds the Guinness world record for being the largest, and it took hundreds of Khmer chefs almost two days to prepare.