Follow me around – Cambodia

Vittoria: 26 years old, a coeliac girl living life one flight at a time.

Over my many travels around the world, I have never had the chance to explore the beauty of the Asian continent. I have grown with fascination towards the history, the culture and the greatness of its different countries.

Last year, I finally realized my dream flying to the Great East, in particular to one small country of South Eastern Asia, not widely chosen for mass tourism yet: Cambodia. The great Khmer empire and its amazing ruins in Angkor site, the French colonization and the tragedy of the wars fought during the last century: it is all visible in every angle of this fascinating yet mysterious country.

I have decided to explore this country as much as possible, backpacking and traveling from one city to the other by taking only buses and ferries. A great experience and surely the best way to discover the identity of the Cambodian culture!

The Asian food is well known to be mostly naturally gluten free, but it is hard to communicate own, dietary needs when visiting a far-from-touristic place. I therefore prepared myself with gluten free snacks and packed some products to take with me through my journey (just in case).

Well, I had to change my mind and surprised myself with many lovely places in each city, where to find safe, gluten free options! “ARTillery Cafe” for example: a small but cozy French-inspired café in the capital, Phnom Penh, with gluten free options labeled directly on the menu (crêpes included!).

Also in other stops of my journey around Cambodia, I have had the pleasure to find many cafés and restaurants, which served safe, gluten free dishes upon request. In Siem Reap, the closest city to the magnificent Angkor temples site, there’s “Sister Srey Cafe” to satisfy your “intolerant” taste for a healthy breakfast, brunch or lunch.

Are you willing to try the Cambodian special plate: the Fish Amok? Well, I can assure you that it is naturally gluten free and simply delicious! Some of the best spots where to have it are “Romdeng” in Phnom Penh and “The Sugar Palm” in Siem Reap, well informed about celiac disease and our dietary needs and both great places where to go during your trip to Cambodia!

Cambodia is not only great for its Khmer traditions, temples and big cities. It offers tropical beaches and clear blue water as well! In case you are looking for some relax under the sun, the islands of Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem are just all you need! In M’Pai Bay, a small fishermen’s village in Koh Rong Samloem, there’s “The Fishing Hook”, which serves every evening a huge buffet with labeled gluten- and lactose free meals to choose from.