Well, there are 3 freshwater prawn species in Cambodia and we eat them all in various ways. This article should begin with informative facts about freshwater prawns but I am just too hungry today. The larger the prawns, the more valuable they are because they are like lobsters to us. Now let’s get to business and learn about the 3 freshwater prawn species in Cambodia below with me.
Giant Freshwater Prawn (បង្កង)
This is one of the biggest freshwater prawns in the world, and they are great for food in Cambodia. A giant freshwater prawn can grow up to 30 centimeters or even bigger, the bigger they get the more expensive they are. The common color of this prawn is brownish but it is very common to see individuals with a bluish or greenish color. You can recognize one by the elongated and thin first pair of walking legs that end in little claws. Those claws cannot hurt you, the prawns mainly use these appendages for feeding.
Giant freshwater prawns inhabit tropical and subtropical areas in the Indo-Pacific region from Southeast Asia all the way to Northern Australia. These prawns live in shallow muddy lakes and rivers with good vegetation, and they are able to crawl on land. When the night comes, they also emerge to forage and hunt for carrion, crustaceans, fish, mollusks, and worms.
As food, giant freshwater prawns are one of the expensive options among middle-class people in Cambodia. There’s a saying that goes “If you can afford giant freshwater prawns, you are rich.” I think the market now for prawns is $10+ per kilo, considering Cambodian people’s average income, it is quite expensive. There could be cheaper options for smaller ones or the ones from the farms as well. The fact that these prawns have juicy and tasty flavors, they are delicious in any cuisine.
Oriental River Prawn (ព្រោន)
The oriental river prawn also goes by the name East Asian river prawn, and it is another common freshwater prawn species in Cambodia. An oriental river prawn is brownish to greenish and sometimes blue in color, and it has a smooth carapace. The larger these prawns get, the darker their colors become. Just like the other nickname suggests, this prawn species is native to estuaries and freshwaters of Eastern Asia. They live in brackish water or bodies of freshwater that are close to estuaries such as ditches and small ponds. As omnivores, they feed on algae, detritus, and invertebrates that they come across in their habitats. Commercially, male oriental river prawns have a higher value than females because they grow faster and reach larger sizes.
Sunda River Prawn (កំពឹស)
The name of this prawn is not so common when you search for its English name. However, they are quite common in Cambodia as snacks that people cook in a number of ways. It is also common to call them glass prawns due to their transparent bodies. Sunda river prawns are tiny prawns that are easy to find and they are also very delicious to eat. Mix them with some batter and deep fry them into small crackers then dip them in pepper lime sauce; chef kiss! There is also this new trend from Thailand where people eat them raw fresh from the tank. All they need is to mix these live prawns with some spicy sauce and vegetables, and that’s it. Many people love eating that, but I personally don’t because it seems cruel.
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