Phnom Penh 90 is an unassuming little neighbourhood spot that belongs near the top of your list of must-try local eateries in Phnom Penhh.

Battambang Specialities in Toul Tom Poung (Russian Market)

It sits in Toul Tom Poung. It's one of my favourite neighbourhoods for eating local without spending much. This is local Phnom Penh, far from the tourist spots: you eat alongside the residents, and that's exactly what I love. If you've ever wandered around the Boeng Trabaek Market, you're just steps away.

The kitchen serves Battambang specialities, and Battambang has a pretty distinctive culinary identity. It's Cambodia's third-largest city, and it's especially known for its production of prahok, the fermented fish paste at the heart of Khmer cooking.

Phnom Penh 90 is best known for its ice cream, but skipping lunch would be a mistake. The house dish is rice vermicelli,served with raw vegetables and fresh herbs and topped with your choice of pork, pâté or fish. It's also your chance to try Sangvak (my favourite): minced fermented fish wrapped in a banana leaf and grilled. Heads up, it packs a fair bit of chilli.

About That Ice Cream

It's the house signature, and at $2 a scoop there's no reason to walk past it. The coconut ice cream isn't very sweet, which makes it all the more welcome after a spicy dish. Have it tucked into a brioche or over a bowl of ice, topped with fruit, beans, fermented rice (or all of it at once, for the greediest among us). After a fiery bowl of fish noodles, it's the perfect cool-down (refreshing, gentle, and easy on the bill).

Small Prices, Real Food

Budget-wise, this is as friendly as it gets:dishes from $2.50 and ice cream at $2. It's the kind of place where you eat well and local for a few dollars. My go-to definition of a good everyday lunch.

One honest note: the staff's English is limited. But you'll always manage, with a smile and a few photos. It's part of the charm.

Bottom Line

Phnom Penh 90 ticks every box for me: authentic neighbourhood cooking, a speciality you won't find on every corner, ice cream worth the trip, and rock-bottom prices. If you're exploring Toul Tom Poung or after a genuinely local spot, this one's for you.

Want more spots away from the tourist trail? Browse my best restaurants in Phnom Penh..