Nom Krok
Nom Krok is traditionally sold by street vendors who carry the special cast-iron pan directly over glowing charcoal, filling the alleys with the smell of coconut and toasted rice. The dessert belongs to a wider family of similar cakes found across Southeast Asia, but the specific mix of fermented batter and coconut milk remains distinctly Cambodian. The contrast between the crispy exterior and the creamy interior, plus the unexpected sprinkle of spring onion over a sweet treat, makes Nom Krok a peculiar snack, usually enjoyed piping hot, straight off the street vendor's grill.
Cooked in a special dimpled pan
A round cast-iron pan with many small hollows gives the balls their signature shape, crispy at the edges.
Fermented rice, not just flour
The batter is made from ground rice left to ferment lightly, giving it a subtle tang.
A creamy coconut centre
Part of the batter is kept looser, enriched with coconut milk, for a soft, almost molten centre.
Topped with spring onion
Finely chopped spring onion scattered on top at the end gives an unexpected savoury contrast to the sweet treat.
Ingredients 4 servings
- 300g rice, finely ground
- 200ml water
- 200ml coconut milk
- 100g sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp yeast
- 50g shredded coconut
- 2 spring onion stalks, chopped
- Oil for greasing the pan
How to make it
- 1Mix the ground rice with the water, yeast, and part of the sugar, then cover and let it ferment lightly for a few hours at room temperature.
- 2Divide the mixture in two: to one part add the remaining sugar and salt for a thicker batter, and to the other add the coconut milk for a looser mixture.
- 3Grease the special dimpled pan well with oil and heat it over medium heat.
- 4Pour a little of the thicker batter into each hollow, about halfway.
- 5Top up each hollow with the looser coconut mixture, over the thicker batter.
- 6Cover the pan and let it cook over low heat until the edges turn golden and crisp, while the centre stays soft.
- 7Carefully lift out the balls and sprinkle with shredded coconut and chopped spring onion before serving.
Nutritional info
per serving (~350 g)
Estimated nutritional values.
Pairs perfectly with
