A $6 Chinese Breakfast in Phnom Penh: From Soy Milk to Cantonese Rice Rolls


Steamed Beef and Egg Rice Roll served in a Phnom Penh roadside

 

H1. (Introduction)

Date: April 2026

After my long journey down National Road 6, arriving in Phnom Penh called for a proper meal with good friends. My local Cambodian friend suggested a roadside Chinese eatery. It was a simple setup, but the menu was a nostalgic trip to the streets of Guangdong. For a traveler, this was a perfect chance to gauge the current cost of living in the capital.

 

Chinese breakfast menu in Phnom Penh showing prices for soy milk, dumplings, and rice rolls
The diverse menu: Local favorites meets Cantonese classics.

 

H2. The Cost of a Hearty Breakfast

The flavors here are heavily influenced by the many Chinese and Vietnamese expats living in Phnom Penh. I ordered a classic spread: a refreshing cup of Soy Milk for $0.5, a basket of Xiaolongbao (steamed dumplings) for $2, and a hearty plate of Beef and Egg Rice Roll for $3.5. The total came to $6. It was a generous portion, more than enough for one person, and the quality was surprisingly authentic.

 

H3.Comparing Prices to Local Income

While $6 is quite affordable for travelers, it is considered a bit of a luxury for many locals, given the average income levels in Cambodia. My local friend mentioned that while people love these Cantonese-style “Changfen” and dumplings, they are usually treated as an occasional indulgence. The city is full of Chinese-run restaurants that offer high-quality food, and their popularity shows how much these regional Chinese flavors have integrated into the local culinary landscape.

 

Steamed Beef and Egg Rice Roll served in a Phnom Penh roadside
Beef and Egg Rice Roll ($3.5) – A taste of Guangdong in Cambodia.

 

Seven steamed Xiaolongbao dumplings on a white plate
Steamed Xiaolongbao ($2) – Perfect comfort food after a long ride.

 

H4. (Copyright Notice)

Original content and photography by camtravel.xyz.

H5. (Internal Linking)

Looking for a different dining vibe? Compare this $6 Chinese breakfast to the local flavors and bustling energy of the Phnom Penh Night Market by the Mekong River here:

Cycling up the road in Phnom Penh.

 



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