Visiting a traditional Cambodian market is a must-do experience and a journey into the wonderful world of fresh produce. The range and diversity are immense and many of Cambodia’s leafy vegetables could perhaps make the grade for superfoods with one example being the Moringa plant.
Here is a picture guide to common vegetables, with Khmer/English, that you’ll find at Cambodian markets including native produce, introduced species, and imports, along with a few herbs and spice.
ម្រុម moringa
M. oleifera is a fast-growing, drought-resistant tree, native to tropical and subtropical regions of South Asia. It is widely cultivated for its young seed pods and leaves used as vegetables and for traditional herbal medicine. It is also used for water purification. The leaves are the most nutritious part of the plant, being a significant source of B vitamins, vitamin C, provitamin A as beta-carotene, vitamin K, manganese, and protein, among other essential nutrients.Wikipedia
ត្រកួន – Morning glory, Chinese Spinach
This plant is known in English as water spinach, river spinach, water morning glory, water convolvulus, or by the more ambiguous names Chinese spinach, Chinese Watercress, Chinese convolvulus, swamp cabbage or kangkong in Southeast Asia. It can ve used in place of regular spinach and it is high in vitamin A, C, Iron and Magnesium along with trace amaounts of several vitamins and minerals. Wikipedia
កញ្ឆែត – Water Mimosa
Neptunia oleracea, commonly known in English as water mimosa or sensitive neptunia, is pantropical nitrogen-fixing perennial legume. Wikipedia
ម្អម/ម្អមក្ដាម – Rice Paddy Herb
Limnophila aromatica, the rice paddy herb, is a tropical flowering plant in the family Plantaginaceae. It is native to Southeast Asia, where it flourishes in hot temperatures and grows most often in watery environments, particularly in flooded rice fields. It is called “ma om” (ម្អម) in Khmer. It is used in traditional Cambodian soup dishes.Wikipedia
កន្ទាំង – Paddys Lucerne
a perennial or sometimes annual plant in the Family Malvaceae, native to the New World tropics and subtropics. Other common names include rhombus-leaved sida, Paddy’s lucerne, jelly leaf, and also somewhat confusingly as Cuban jute, Queensland-hemp, and Indian hemp (although S. rhombifolia is not related to either jute or hemp). Wikipedia
កន្ទាំងហែ – Smartweed
Persicaria lapathifolia (syn. Polygonum lapathifolium), known as pale persicaria, is a plant of the family Polygonaceae. It is closely related to Persicaria maculosa and as such is considered a weed in Britain and Europe. Other common names for the plant include pale smartweed, curlytop knotweed, and willow weed. It is a species complex made up of a great many varying forms, sometimes considered varieties. Wikipedia
ក្រសាំងទាប rat-ear
Peperomia pellucida (also known by common names pepper elder, shining bush plant, and man to man) is an annual, shallow-rooted herb, usually growing to a height of about 15 to 45 cm, it is characterized by succulent stems, shiny, heart-shaped, fleshy leaves and tiny, dot-like seeds attached to several fruiting spikes. Wikipedia
ប្រមាត់ដី – Slender carpetweed
Glinus is a genus of tropical and subtropical plants in the family Molluginaceae. Plants of this genus are sometimes called sweetjuice. They are squat annual herbs with fuzzy to hairy green herbage. The fruit is a capsule containing many kidney-shaped seeds. Some species are used as herbal remedies and some are eaten as food. Wikipedia
វល្លិថ្នឹង – River-leaf
Aganonerion is a plant genus in the dogbane family Apocynaceae, first described in 1905. It contains only one known species, Aganonerion polymorphum, native to Indochina (Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam). Aganonerion polymorphum is used medicinally and as a food, appearing for example in a traditional Vietnamese soup called canh chua. In Vietnamese, the plant is called lá giang, literally “river leaf.” In Cambodia, it is called វល្លិថ្នឹង or កោតព្រំ. Wikipedia
គូឆាយ – Garlic Chives
Allium tuberosum (garlic chives, Oriental garlic, Asian chives, Chinese chives, Chinese leek) is a species of onion native to southwestern parts of the Chinese province of Shanxi, and cultivated and naturalized elsewhere in Asia and around the world. Wikipedia
Thai celery, Chinese celery
Leaf celery (Apium graveolens var. secalinum Alef.), also called Chinese celery or Nan Ling celery, is a variety of celery cultivated in East Asian countries for its edible, flavorful stalks and leaves. Wikipedia
ស្ពៃក្រញាញ់ – Bok choy
Bok choy is a type of Chinese cabbage. There are several types yet the most common I see is the green type similar to Mei Qing Choi variety. Alleged benefits: Chinese cabbage is a rich source of vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin K, while providing folate, vitamin B6 and calcium in moderate amounts. Wikipedia
ស្លឹកតើយ – Pandan
Pandanus amaryllifolius is a tropical plant in the Pandanus (screwpine) genus, which is commonly known as pandan (/ˈpændən/), and is used widely in South Asian and Southeast Asian cooking as a flavoring. Wikipedia
ត្រកៀតប៉ោង – Sawah lettuce
Limnocharis flava (commonly known as yellow velvetleaf, sawah flower rush, sawah lettuce) is a species of aquatic flowering plant which is native to Mexico, Central America, South America, Cuba, Haiti and the Dominican Republic but widely naturalized in southern and southeastern Asia. Wikipedia
សាឡាដហ្រ្វីសេ – Frisee lettuce
Endive is a leaf vegetable belonging to the genus Cichorium, which includes several similar, bitter, leafed vegetables. Species include Cichorium endivia (also called endive), Cichorium pumilum (also called wild endive), and Cichorium intybus (also called common chicory). Common chicory includes types such as radicchio, puntarelle, and Belgian endive. Wikipedia
ផ្កាខាត់ណាខៀវ – Broccoli
Broccoli is an edible green plant in the cabbage family (Brassicas) whose large flowering head and stalk is eaten as a vegetable. Wikipedia
ម្រះព្រៅ – Thai Holy Basil
Ocimum tenuiflorum (synonym Ocimum sanctum), commonly known as holy basil, tulasi (sometimes spelled thulasi) or tulsi, is an aromatic perennial plant in the family Lamiaceae. It is native to the Indian subcontinent and widespread as a cultivated plant throughout the Southeast Asian tropics. The variety of Ocimum tenuiflorum used in Thai cuisine is referred to as Thai holy basil, it is not to be confused with Thai basil, which is a variety of Ocimum basilicum. Wikipedia
ជីរនាងវង – Thai Basil
Thai basil (Ocimum basilicum var. thyrsiflora) is a type of basil native to Southeast Asia that has been cultivated to provide distinctive traits. Widely used throughout Southeast Asia, its flavor, described as anise- and licorice-like and slightly spicy, is more stable under high or extended cooking temperatures than that of sweet basil. Thai basil has small, narrow leaves, purple stems, and pink-purple flowers. Wikipedia
ត្រចៀកក្រាញ់ – Pennywort
Centella asiatica, commonly known as centella, Asiatic pennywort or Gotu kola, is a herbaceous, frost-tender perennial plant in the flowering plant family Apiaceae. It is native to the wetlands in Asia. It is used as a culinary vegetable and as a medicinal herb.Wikipedia
ត្រចៀកជ្រូក – Spanish thyme
Plectranthus amboinicus, once identified as Coleus amboinicus, is a semi-succulent perennial plant in the family Lamiaceae with a pungent oregano-like flavor and odor. It is native to Southern and Eastern Africa. It is widely cultivated and naturalized elsewhere in the tropics where it is used as traditional medicine, spice, and ornamental plant. Wikipedia
វ៉ាន់ស៊ុយ – Cilantro/Coriander
Coriander is an annual herb in the family Apiaceae. It is also known as Chinese parsley, and the stems and leaves are usually called cilantro in North America. All parts of the plant are edible, but the fresh leaves and the dried seeds (as a spice) are the parts most traditionally used in cooking.. Wikipedia
ឆ្អាប – Fish mint
Houttuynia cordata, also known as fish mint, fish leaf, rainbow plant, chameleon plant, heart leaf, fish wort, Chinese lizard tail, or bishop’s weed, is one of two species in the genus Houttuynia (the other being H. emeiensis). It is a flowering plant native to Southeast Asia. Wikipedia
ឃិនឆាយ – Chervil
Chervil, sometimes called French parsley or garden chervil (to distinguish it from similar plants also called chervil), is a delicate annual herb related to parsley. Wikipedia
ក្រសាំងទំហំ – Cambodian mint
Persicaria odorata, known as rau răm or Vietnamese coriander, is a herb whose leaves are used in Southeast Asian cooking. Other names for this herb include Vietnamese mint, Vietnamese cilantro, Cambodian mint, hot mint, laksa leaf, and praew leaf. Vietnamese coriander is not related to the mints, nor is it in the mint family Lamiaceae, but its general appearance and fragrance are reminiscent of them. Wikipedia
ជីរបន្លា – Culantro or Mexican Coriander
It is used extensively in Cambodia, Thailand, India, Vietnam, Laos, and other parts of Asia as a culinary herb. It dries well, retaining good color and flavor, making it valuable in the dried herb industry. It is sometimes used as a substitute for coriander, but it has a much stronger taste. Wikipedia
សណ្ដែកកួរ – Yard-long bean
The asparagus bean is a legume cultivated for its edible green pods containing immature seeds, like the green bean. It is also known as the yardlong bean, long-podded cowpea, Chinese long bean, bodi/bora,snake bean, or pea bean. Wikipedia
សណ្ដែកបណ្ដុះ – Bean sprout
Mung bean sprouts are a culinary vegetable grown by sprouting mung beans. They can be grown by placing and watering the sprouted beans in the shade until the roots grow long. Mung bean sprouts are extensively cultivated and consumed in East Asia. Wikipedia
ស្លឹកគ្រៃ – Lemongrass
Cymbopogon, better known as lemongrass, is a genus of Asian, African, Australian, and tropical island plants in the grass family. Some species (particularly Cymbopogon citratus) are commonly cultivated as culinary and medicinal herbs because of their scent, resembling that of lemons (Citrus limon). Wikipedia
ស្អំ – Climbing wattle
Senegalia pennata (English: Climbing wattle) is a species of legume which is native to South and Southeast Asia. In Burma, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia and Thailand, the feathery shoots of Senegalia pennata are used in soups, curries, omelettes and stir-fries. Wikipedia
អង្គាដី – Agati
The flowers of S. grandiflora are eaten as a vegetable in South Asia and Southeast Asia,and in the Khmer language, the flowers are called ផ្កាអង្គាដី (angkea dei) and young leaves and flowers are used in the cuisine both cooked in curries, such as Samlor mchou angkea dei and salad sauce bok amproek or toek kroeung. Wikipedia
អាចម៍មាន់ – Lender amaranth or green amaranth
Amaranthus viridis is a cosmopolitan species in the botanical family Amaranthaceae and is commonly known as slender amaranth or green amaranth. Wikipedia
ចាព្លូ, ជីភ្លូ – Wild pepper, Lolot pepper
Piper sarmentosum is a plant in the Piperaceae family used in many Southeast Asian cuisines. The leaves are often confused with betel, but they lack the intense taste of the betel leaves and are significantly smaller. Wikipedia
មមាញ – African cabbage
Cleome gynandra is a species of Cleome that is used as a green vegetable. It is known by many common names including Shona cabbage, African cabbage, spiderwisp, cat’s whiskers, chinsaga and stinkweed. Wikipedia
ត្រាវ – Taro
Colocasia esculenta is a tropical plant grown primarily for its edible corms. The root vegetable is most commonly known as taro. It is the most widely cultivated species of several plants in the Araceae family, which are used as vegetables for their corms, leaves, and petioles. Taro corms are a food staple in African, Oceanic and South Asian cultures, and taro is believed to have been one of the earliest cultivated plants. Wikipedia
ដំឡូងជ្វា – Sweet Potato
The sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) is a dicotyledonous plant that belongs to the bindweed or morning glory family, Convolvulaceae. Its large, starchy, sweet-tasting, tuberous roots are a root vegetable. The young leaves and shoots are sometimes eaten as greens. The sweet potato is only distantly related to the potato (Solanum tuberosum) and does not belong to the nightshade family, Solanaceae, but both families belong to the same taxonomic order, the Solanales. Wikipedia
ខ្ញី – Ginger
Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a flowering plant whose rhizome, ginger root or ginger, is widely used as a spice and a folk medicine. It is a herbaceous perennial which grows annual pseudostems (false stems made of the rolled bases of leaves) about a meter tall bearing narrow leaf blades. The inflorescences bear pale yellow with purple flowers and arise directly from the rhizome on separate shoots. Wikipedia
រំដេង – Galangal
The word galangal, or its variant galanga, can refer in common usage to the aromatic rhizome of any of four plant species in the Zingiberaceae (ginger) family Wikipedia
ពន្លៃ – plai
Cassumunar ginger is a species of plant in the ginger family and is also a relative of galangal. It is called plai (ไพล) in Thailand, The rhizome of variant ‘Roxburgh’ is used medicinally in massage and even in food in Thailand, and somewhat resembles ginger root or galangal. In aromatherapy, plai oil is used as an essential oil and is believed to ease pain and inflammation. It is also known as ponlei (ពន្លៃ) in Cambodia. Wikipedia
ខ្ជាយ – Chinese ginger
Boesenbergia rotunda, commonly known as Chinese keys, fingerroot, lesser galangal or Chinese ginger, is a medicinal and culinary herb from China and Southeast Asia. In English, the root has traditionally been called fingerroot, because the shape of the rhizome resembles that of fingers growing out of a center piece. Wikipedia
រមៀត – Turmeric
Turmeric is a flowering plant, Curcuma longa of the ginger family, Zingiberaceae, the roots of which are used in cooking. The plant is a perennial, rhizomatous, herbaceous plant native to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. Wikipedia
ឆៃថាវ – Daikon radish
Daikon, Raphanus sativus L. var. longipinnatus Bailey, is a mild-flavored winter radish usually characterized by fast-growing leaves and a long, white, napiform root. Originally native to Southeast or continental East Asia, daikon is harvested and consumed throughout the region, as well as in South Asia. Wikipedia
ប៉ិកួ: – Jicama
Jícama is a species in the genus Pachyrhizus in the bean family (Fabaceae). Plants in this genus are commonly referred to as yam bean, although the term “yam bean” can be another name for jícama. Jicama can be used as a replacement for water chestnuts. Wikipedia
ទំពាំង – Bamboo shoot
Bamboo shoots or bamboo sprouts are the edible shoots (new bamboo culms that come out of the ground) of many bamboo species including Bambusa vulgaris and Phyllostachys edulis. They are used as vegetables in numerous Asian dishes and broths. They are sold in various processed shapes, and are available in fresh, dried, and canned versions. Raw bamboo shoots contain cyanogenic glycosides, natural toxins also contained in cassava.The toxins must be destroyed by thorough cooking and for this reason fresh bamboo shoots are often boiled before being used in other ways. The toxins are also destroyed in the canning process. Wikipedia
ម្រះ – Bitter melon
Bitter melon originated from the South Indian state of Kerala and was introduced into China in the 14th century. It is widely used in the cuisines of East Asia, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. Wikipedia
ឃ្លោក – Bottle gourd
A calabash, bottle gourd, or white-flowered gourd, Lagenaria siceraria, also known by many other names, including long melon, New Guinea bean and Tasmania bean, is a vine grown for its fruit, which can be either harvested young to be consumed as a vegetable, or harvested mature to be dried and used as a utensil. When it is fresh, the fruit has a light green smooth skin and white flesh. Wikipedia
ត្រឡាច – Wax gourd
Benincasa hispida, the wax gourd, also called ash gourd, white gourd, winter gourd, tallow gourd, ash pumpkin, and winter melon and “Chinese preserving melon” is a vine grown for its very large fruit, eaten as a vegetable when mature. Wikipedia
ននោង – Lufa Gourd
Luffa is a genus of tropical and subtropical vines in the cucumber family (Cucurbitaceae). In everyday non-technical usage, the luffa, also spelled loofah, usually refers to the fruit of the two species Luffa aegyptiaca and Luffa acutangula. The fruit of these species is cultivated and eaten as a vegetable. The fruit must be harvested at a young stage of development to be edible. The vegetable is popular in India, China and Vietnam. When the fruit is fully ripened, it is very fibrous. Wikipedia
បាស – Ivy Gourd
In Southeast Asia, it is grown for its edible young shoots and edible fruits. Wikipedia
ប្រពាយ – Winged bean
The winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus), also known as the Goa bean, four-angled bean, four-cornered bean, Manila bean, and dragon bean, is a tropical legume plant native to New Guinea. It grows abundantly in the hot, humid equatorial countries of South and Southeast Asia. The entire winged bean plant is edible. The leaves, flowers, roots, and bean pods can be eaten raw or cooked; the pods are edible even when raw and unripe. The seeds are edible after cooking. Wikipedia
ព្រលឹត – Water lily
Nymphaea is a genus of hardy and tender aquatic plants in the family Nymphaeaceae. Water lilies have several edible parts. The young leaves and unopened flower buds can be boiled and served as a vegetable. The seeds, high in starch, protein, and oil, may be popped, parched, or ground into flour. Potato-like tubers can be collected from the species N. tuberosa. Wikipedia
ឈូក – Lotus, Sacred lotus
Nelumbo nucifera, also known as Indian lotus, sacred lotus, bean of India, Egyptian bean or simply lotus, is one of two extant species of aquatic plant in the family Nelumbonaceae. It is often colloquially called a water lily. It has a very long history of being cultivated for its edible seeds (more below), along with the rhizome, flower, leaf, and stem. Wikipedia
Lotus Seed
A lotus seed or lotus nut is the seed of a plant in the genus Nelumbo, particularly the species Nelumbo nucifera. Fresh lotus seeds can be broken out of their cone-shaped head and eaten raw. The seeds are used in Asian cuisine and traditional medicine. Mostly sold in dried, shelled form, the seeds contain rich contents of protein, B vitamins, and dietary minerals. Wikipedia
ក្រាមរមាស – Eggplant
Eggplant, aubergine or brinjal (South Asia and South Africa) is a plant species in the nightshade family Solanaceae, Solanum melongena, grown for its often purple edible fruit. The spongy, absorbent fruit of the plant is widely used in cooking in many different cuisines, and is often considered a vegetable, even though it is a berry by botanical definition. Wikipedia
លំញង – Pea eggplant
It is also known as turkey berry,[2] prickly nightshade, shoo-shoo bush, wild eggplant, pea eggplant, pea aubergine, kantɔsi or abeduru (Ghana), kittily (Liberia), susumber. The green fresh fruits are edible and used in Thai cuisine, as an ingredient in certain Thai curries or raw in certain Thai chili pastes (nam phrik) Wikipedia
អម្ពិល – Tamarind
The tamarind tree produces pod-like fruit that contains an edible pulp used in cuisines around the world. Other uses of the pulp include traditional medicine and metal polish. Wikipedia
ពោតបារាំង – Okra
Okra, Abelmoschus esculentus, known in many English-speaking countries as ladies’ fingers or ochro, is a flowering plant in the mallow family. It is valued for its edible green seed pods. The geographical origin of okra is disputed, with supporters of West African, Ethiopian, and South Asian origins.Okra is rich in dietary fiber, vitamin C and vitamin K, with moderate contents of thiamin, folate and magnesium. Wikipedia
ផ្សិតចំបើង – Straw mushrooms
Volvariella volvacea (also known as paddy straw mushroom or straw mushroom) is a species of edible mushroom cultivated throughout East and Southeast Asia and used extensively in Asian cuisines. Wikipedia
ផ្សិតស – Oyster mushrooms
Pleurotus ostreatus, the pearl oyster mushroom or tree oyster mushroom, is a common edible mushroom. It was first cultivated in Germany as a subsistence measure during World War I and is now grown commercially around the world for food. It is related to the similarly cultivated king oyster mushroom. . Wikipedia
ផ្សិតភ្លៅមាន់ – King Oyster Mushrooms
Pleurotus eryngii (also known as king trumpet mushroom, French horn mushroom, king oyster mushroom, king brown mushroom, boletus of the steppes) is an edible mushroom native to Mediterranean regions of Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa, but also grown in many parts of Asia. Wikipedia
ត្រយ៉ូងចេក – Banana flower
Banana hearts are used as a vegetable in South Asian and Southeast Asian cuisine, either raw or steamed with dips or cooked in soups, curries and fried foods. The flavor resembles that of artichoke. As with artichokes, both the fleshy part of the bracts and the heart are edible. Wikipedia
ម្ទេសខ្ចី – Green chili / ម្ទេសទុំ – Hot chili
The chili pepper (also chile, chile pepper, chilli pepper, or chilli) is the fruit of plants from the genus Capsicum which are members of the nightshade family, Solanaceae. Chili peppers are widely used in many cuisines as a spice to add heat to dishes. The substances that give chili peppers their intensity when ingested or applied topically are capsaicin and related compounds known as capsaicinoids. Wikipedia
ពោតលឿង – Yellow corn / ពោតស – White corn
Maize, also known as corn, is a cereal grain first domesticated by indigenous peoples in southern Mexico about 10,000 years ago. The leafy stalk of the plant produces pollen inflorescences and separate ovuliferous inflorescences called ears that yield kernels or seeds, which are fruits. Wikipedia
នំភ្នែង – Hymenocardia wallichii
The English common name for Hymenocardia wallichii is Swamp cinnamon. It is the plant of genus Hymenocardia. It is called swamp cinnamon because this species of plant usually grows in the swamp area and the smell of its wood is a little similar to the smell of cinnamon bark. The French name for this species of plant is Cannelier des marais. Used for fruits sour, used in cooking. Bark and roots used medicinally.
ងប់ – Star gooseberry
Sauropus androgynus, also known as katuk, star gooseberry, or sweet leaf, is a shrub grown in some tropical regions as a leaf vegetable. Wikipedia