A regional delicacy in Cambodia, the fried spider is vastly popular in Phnom Penh and the city of Skuon. Rumoured to have a medicinal quality that cures coughs, the snack is tasted by many visitors to the region as well.
A blend of rice, tropical fruits, noodles, various soups and desserts, the cuisine of Cambodia is known as Khmer cuisine. The staple food of the region is rice, thus it is included in every meal. Along with rice a wide range of soups, stir fries and curries are served. Among the rice varieties available in Cambodia are glutinous rice and aromatic rice. With a certain similarity to the Thai and Vietnamese cuisine, Khmer cuisine draws upon some influences from the cuisines of France and China, whilst its curry dishes present a trace of the Indian cultural influence.
Among its many types of food, the fried spider is a regional delicacy in Cambodia. A daily snack consumed by the people in Skuon Town in particular, fried spiders have a high demand in the city of Phnom Penh as well. In Skuon for instance, the spiders are foraged in nearby forestland or bred in holes in the ground, and fried in oil afterwards. Although there are several speculations as to how the population began eating spiders, a common assumption is that people may have started the act out of desperation during the dark years of Khmer Rouge rule, when there was a shortage of food.
These spiders that are taken as a snack are a species of tarantula named "a-ping". With the size of a human palm, these spiders are also referred to as Thai zebra tarantula and "edible spider". Some prepare the snack of spiders by tossing them in a mixture of sugar, salt and MSG whilst crushed garlic is fried in oil until fragrant; then spiders are put into the oil to be fried along with the garlic. The taste of the snack has been described as a cross between cod and chicken, with a contrasting texture that ranges from a soft centre to a crispy exterior. Although the snack is considered as a delicacy by some, others tend to refrain from eating it.
Raffles Hotel Le Royal is the ideal choice for the travellers in search of a luxury hotel in Phnom Penh. Boasting an ideal location in the heart of the city, the Phnom Penh hotel is highly preferred by celebrities, dignitaries and royalty, attracted by its remarkable elegance.
Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.
0 comments:
Post a Comment