Cambodian cuisine is a celebration of freshness, flavor, and balance, and the Cambodian Charred Corn and Herb Salad is no exception. This colorful dish draws inspiration from the vibrant markets and lively street food culture found across Cambodia, where you’ll encounter an abundance of grilled delicacies, fresh herbs, and bold seasonings. It’s a versatile salad that captures the heart of Khmer culinary heritage while embracing a contemporary, crowd-pleasing twist.
At its core, this recipe highlights the beauty of simple ingredients elevated through thoughtful preparation. Grilled corn is the star of the show – its natural sweetness enhanced by the smokiness of charred kernels. In Cambodia, grilling is a widely embraced cooking technique; sidewalk vendors expertly prepare everything from skewered meats to buttery corn over open flames. Charring the corn not only adds a depth of flavor but also pays homage to this central element of Cambodian street food.
Herbs like cilantro and mint bring a refreshing brightness to the salad, embodying Cambodia’s signature use of fresh greens and aromatic garnishes. Cambodian dishes often incorporate generous amounts of fragrant herbs, which are not merely decorative but integral to the flavor profile. Here, the combination of cilantro and mint strikes a delicate balance between cooling and zesty flavors, making the salad pop.
The dressing is where this dish truly showcases the boldness of Cambodian flavors. It relies on a harmonious blend of lime juice, fish sauce, sugar, and a touch of salt – a classic combination in Southeast Asian cooking that balances the salty, sour, sweet, and umami dimensions. Cambodian cuisine, like its neighbors Vietnam and Thailand, emphasizes this delicate balance, ensuring that no one flavor overpowers the others. The use of fish sauce, a quintessential ingredient in Khmer cooking, adds an unmistakable depth and complexity to the dish.
What stands out is how this humble salad can transform a meal. Served as a side dish, it pairs seamlessly with grilled meats or seafood, adding a lively contrast to richer dishes. Alternatively, it can shine as a light lunch, offering a burst of fresh and punchy flavors that leave you feeling satisfied without being weighed down. It’s a thoughtful way to bring the diverse and celebratory essence of Cambodian dining to your table.
The Cambodian Charred Corn and Herb Salad also speaks to the adaptability of the cuisine. It’s easy to personalize – for example, swapping fish sauce for soy sauce to make it vegan-friendly or incorporating other fresh herbs like Thai basil for additional complexity. The simplicity of the techniques ensures that cooks of all skill levels can try their hand at this recipe.
Inspired by the sights and flavors of Cambodia, this salad is a homage to the country’s incredible culinary heritage. It reflects not only the abundance of local ingredients but also a way of cooking and eating that centers on community, connection, and storytelling. In every charred kernel, fragrant herb, and zesty bite, you get a taste of Cambodia’s warmth and culinary vibrancy.
Cambodian Charred Corn and Herb Salad
Ingredients
- 4 ears corn husked and cleaned
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil preferably sunflower or canola
- 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves roughly chopped
- 1 cup fresh mint leaves roughly chopped
- 1 medium red chili thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice preferably from key limes
- 1 tablespoon (affiliate link)fish sauce or to taste
- 1 teaspoon (affiliate link)sugar
- ¼ teaspoon (affiliate link)salt
Instructions
- Heat a grill pan over high heat. Brush the corn ears lightly with vegetable oil. Grill the corn until evenly charred on all sides, about 8-10 minutes. You should hear pops and see a golden brown char developing.
- Once grilled, let the corn cool slightly. Stand each cob on its end and slice the kernels off with a sharp knife.
- In a large bowl, combine the corn kernels, cilantro, mint, red chili, lime juice, fish sauce, sugar, and salt. Toss everything together gently, ensuring the herbs are evenly distributed.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning. You may wish to add more lime juice or fish sauce, according to your personal preference.