Prahok

Nor is the industry of fish-curing solely confined to salting, cleaning, and drying; but fish-oil and ichthyocol are extracted, and those mysterious concoctions prepared, which, under the name of pha-ak and prahok, are justly renowned as the most horribly stinking and repugnant products in this line, leaving far behind even the famed nüak-mam of Cochin China.

"Prahok" is the paste of fermented fish, and is one of the Cambodian staple foods. Prahok making activity is very common among rural Cambodians who migrate from their home regions once a year to settle temporarily in the areas close to the river or lake. Most Cambodians use Prahok for cooking (instead of using salt) and eating with rice.

Basic preparations include khaw, in which caramelized palm sugar coats meat or seafood; soups called samlor (sweet or sour, made with prahok and sometimes coconut milk) and sgnaow (light broths flavored with prahok or fish sauce); and dips featuring prahok, eaten with fresh and blanched vegetables.