Cambodia – Kampot Pepper Crabs

by Fauzan Anandika

When we heard the word Cambodia, most of us will be wondering what it is? Where is it? Cambodia is a country in Southeast Asia. This country is the successor of the Khmer Empires located in the Indochina peninsula. Cambodia is known as one of the best pepper producers country. Mrech Kampot or Cambodian pepper is their best pepper. Labeled with PGI, “Protected Geographical Indication” makes Kampot pepper enable to consume in Europe.

Kampot pepper has a unique character its tastes both spicy and sweet at the same time. It creates a flavourful taste in our mouths. Chef and food lovers around the world choose Kampot pepper as the best pepper in the world. There are many dishes seasoned with Kampot pepper. In Cambodia, there is an iconic dish that uses this pepper, named Kampot pepper crab.

Yes, from its name, we know this dish use Kampot pepper as the selling point. Fried crab cook with local spices to create a spicy and savory taste. If you never see Kampot pepper, it has a berry shape and green color. You will get a spicy punch in every bite from this berry-like pepper. When tourists come to Kampot and ordering Kampot pepper crab, they will serve only fresh crab directly from the fisherman.

Since Kampot pepper is easily found anywhere in the world, we can cook crabs with Cambodian recipes. Grab your cookware and start cooking.

Braised spices

• 7 nutmeg
• 12 clove shallot
• 6 clove garlic
• 4 cm turmeric, peeled
• 2 cm ginger, peeled
• 1 cm galangal, peeled
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 lemongrass, crushed
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tablespoon cooking oil
• 500 ml of water

Ingredient

• 1.5 kg crab
• 10 clove garlic
• 10 clove shallot
• 40 Kampot black peppercorns 
• 5 nutmeg
• 5 red chilies, sliced
• 5 cherry tomatoes, cut it into two-part
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 20 ml of water
• 2 tablespoon cooking oil.
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 10 extra Kampot black peppercorns for garnish

Crab preparation

1. Blend all the braised spices with a food processor.
2. Heat cooking oil in a medium frying pan.
3. Add all the blended spices.
4. Clean and crack crab.
5. Add crab to the cooking pan, stir slowly until smell good.
6. Add water.
7. Boil for 10 minutes.
8. Remove and drain the crab.

How to cook

1. Blend garlic, shallot, pepper, salt, and nutmeg with a food processor.
2. Heat cooking oil in a medium frying pan.
3. Stir fry all blended spies until smells good.
4. Add water and soy sauce.
5. Add chili and tomatoes, wait until boiling.
6. Add the crab, cook until spice soaked.
7. Remove it into the serving plate.
8. Add Kampot peppercorns for garnish.
9. Kampot pepper crab ready to eat.