Underrated Cuisines of the World Unite!

There are a lot of overrated cuisines in the world (Egyptian anyone?). Everyone has their pick, I’m sure. But what about underrated cuisines? That’s a more difficult category. To qualify, not only must the food be really good, but it must also not register on most people’s culinary radars.

With that in mind, allow me to submit my entry for Khmer (Cambodian) food. I really didn’t expect much, I’ll be honest. I didn’t remember a thing about the food from being here 6 years ago. But I know my geography, so I figured that since it was between Thailand and Vietnam, it might be passable.

Instead, what I’ve found is a burgeoning culinary scene here, with Khmer staples (such as Amok- baked fish in banana leaf; pictured above) mixed with delicious curries, and other pan-Asian deliciousness. Sure, there is some Khmer food I can’t get down with (spicy noodles with beef for breakfast, for example), but overall, the food has been fresh, tasty, and rather unique.