Tey Navatey, 25, senior student at Phnom Penh International University

“I am not good at cooking, but I prefer eating the Khmer food because it really tastes different from other countries. When I watch television, I see that other places are really supportive of their own traditional food even in movies. I think it is a great idea, but our country doesn’t do it well yet. I share this knowledge with my friends because I want them to know and compare, so that they will start trying to promote the Khmer cuisine. I don’t want to lose our own legacy. If everyone ignores it, one day, we will lose it.”

Kuch Puth Theary, 23, sophomore student at Economic and Finance Institute

“I learn how to cook from my mother because she is so good. She always cooks Khmer food. If we don’t start to care and preserve it, our children for the next generation may not know about our own food. In the future, if I have children, I will teach it to my daughter as well. I want them to help to preserve it as well.”

Mongkul Sokha, 19, first year student at Royal University of Agriculture

“Whenever I go to out to eat something with my family or friends, I always order the Khmer food. I think that it is delicious. Our own food doesn’t get promoted. When I go away from my home, I prefer to eat Khmer food because it makes me feel like I’m at home with my family. All of my family members like it, and we always enjoy with it when we go to restaurants. Some restaurants don’t serve Khmer food but I want all of them turn their interest to our own food because it’s delicious and we need to preserve it.”

Lim Tavkheang, 21, a first year student at Pannasastra University

“I prefer Khmer cuisine to other food. I’m always trying to practice and research from books and magazines as well. I’ve always eaten it since I was young – all my family members love to eat Khmer food as well. Nowadays, I sometimes go out and eat Khmer foods just for fun when I rally together with my family when we have free time. I enjoy cooking and learn from my mother. I think this is the way that I have preserved the cuisine. Food is a matter of identity for our nation. I am Cambodian; therefore, Khmer cuisine is my favorite. ”

Chan Srey Meas, 22, sophomore student at National University of Management

“I think I have preserved the Khmer cuisine by sharing it with my friends. At the weekend, I like to have a small party with my friends. We split the cost and help each other to prepare the food. Usually we choose to prepare Khmer food because most of us like it. It is not only delicious, but it also our favourite. When we start to make it, we always share our knowledge of cooking with each other. I don’t know how to cook some types of food but my friends do. That way, I can learn from them and they can learn from what I know as well. Now I realize that it is a very good idea to do it, and I will keep doing it in order to preserve the Khmer cuisine.”