Siem Reap, the gateway to Angkor Wat, has been home to plant-based and vegan food enthusiasts for more than eight years. Over the years, the demand for plant-based and vegan food has increased worldwide, and Siem Reap has been no exception. The town has slowly expanded its options for vegans and vegetarians, with our help and support. We have been providing advice, menu consultancy, and staff training to anyone who wants to expand their vegan and plant-based offering. The worldwide shutdown slowed things down a little, but trust us when we say that the post-COVID Siem Reap is more vegan-friendly than ever.
Siem Reap now has a variety of hotels and resorts, simple eateries and local street food, social enterprises and hospitality schools, and experiential fine dining restaurants that cater to vegans. Even the leading wine supplier now has an extensive list of vegan-friendly wines to choose from. Below are just a few of the people we’ve worked with, and some of our favourite vegan-friendly options that you should most certainly consider when you’re planning your trip to Siem Reap.
Jaya House River Park is a unique riverside hotel that is a true oasis where guests can enjoy relaxing next to one of the two pools after a busy day at the temples. We worked with the excellent team at Jaya House River Park to create their vegan breakfast options which have now become the most popular dishes on their breakfast menu. It also offers one of the best sunset spots in town with rooftop vibes, creative cocktails and treetop views over the river. In addition to the vegan breakfast, the delightful pools, and the glorious sunset views, Jaya House River Park has yet again received the ‘Number 1 hotel in Cambodia’ accolade from Tripadvisor. This is one of our favourite vegan-friendly hotels for a reason, and we know you’re going to love it!
Guests on the Cambodia Vegan Tour with award-winning Vegan Travel Asia end their Cambodian adventure at Shinta Mani Angkor. This boutique property created by hotel architect extraordinaire, Bill Bensley, has plenty of vegan options available for breakfast. Vegan guests will certainly not go hungry at this vegan-friendly luxury hotel. Executive Chef Chanrith also offers vegan cooking classes, offering the chance to learn from one of the most talented chefs in Siem Reap. No stay at Shinta Mani Angkor would be complete without enjoying the exquisite multi-course plant-based dining experience at their signature restaurant, Kroya by Chef Chanrith. Delicious and creative Khmer fusion cuisine is served in a refined setting and is certainly not to be missed.
The excellent Treeline Urban Resort has an incredibly strong plant-based breakfast game and an extensive selection of plant-based dishes that deliver on every level in their signature restaurant Romiet. Chef Chantrea and his team have worked tirelessly over the years to ensure that vegan food is the norm at this design-led, independent resort. So when you can drag yourself away from the divine rooftop pool or from your beautifully appointed room, you will be spoiled for choice with creative plant-based food that will make you smile. Did someone say ‘vegan bangers and hash’ for breakfast and ‘vegan gyoza’ for dinner?
As the leading wine supplier in Cambodia, the team at Celliers d’Asie has embraced the demand for vegan wines. Since our first meeting back in 2016, they have developed an expansive selection of vegan wines. We love that we’ve been part of that journey with them and love how they now drive vegan wine sales throughout their whole customer base wherever they can.
Siem Reap also has a huge selection of vegan-friendly restaurants. Whether you want to enjoy an amazing pizza from the vegan menu at Fellini, a vegan version of Cambodia’s famous nom banh chok from the excellent training restaurant, Haven, or a delicious vegan Khmer curry with OmniMeat balls from the socially responsible, New Leaf Eatery, Siem Reap has got you covered. Our favorite veggie restaurant, Banlle, and our favorite vegan restaurant, Hey Bong, both go above and beyond to exceed expectations by creating and serving some of the best plant-based food in the region. It’s impossible to choose a favorite dish at either of these fantastic restaurants as there are so many that we love. From veganised versions of Khmer classics to vegan fish and chips; healthy salads to vegan burgers; these two restaurants come highly recommended. Banlle and Hey Bong! are certainly leading the way when it comes to vegan food in Siem Reap and long may that continue.
This article features just a few of our must-visit favorites in Siem Reap, but this relatively small town is an absolute ‘vegan heaven,’ and plant-based food lovers will easily find many more options. You’re going to love the vegan food that’s waiting for you as much as you’ll love the Cambodian people you meet and their wonderful country. It’s all waiting for you to explore.
