A great Cambodian soup rarely tastes flat. One spoonful can be sour, salty, herbal, lightly sweet, savory, and warming all at once. That balance is what makes the cooking so satisfying, especially for home cooks who like to adjust as they go.

A good Cambodian soup can taste bright, savory, sour, herbal, salty, and a little sweet in the same spoonful. That balance is what makes it so satisfying, and also what makes it so fun to cook at home.