A Night of Fish Amok

An excess of feelings.

Natasha Y
Natasha Y
Sep 2, 2018 · 2 min read

I am was in Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia, when I ate Fish Amok. I ate the best dinner of my trip, Fish Amok. I will type Fish Amok here a couple times more so you memorise the name Fish Amok. Fish Amok. Fish Amok. Elon Musk. Fish Amok. It was sublime. They, mighty Cambodians, steam the fish while wrapped in banana leaves, giving it flavours of lemongrass and coconut milk. They steam it till it becomes absolutely creamy and soft, like a soufflé. Then the delicious fish preparation is served with sticky rice. Fish Amok.

Fish Amok + Eating it = Pure pleasure // More on: https://www.instagram.com/natsgonenuts/

It was like love, how while eating it I started to feel melancholy. My heart swelled with the impending end of the meal, and I was left sitting, wishing, waiting for a miracle that would make that moment last forever. Me, the fish, and all the rest in the world as background noise. I fell in love that night, and things were never to be the same again. No fish would feel the same, that melting texture of its tender flesh, the smooth lines of its cooked meat, the warmth between the layers as I took my time around its many contours. My heart was warm with love, but strong with conviction. “This is it”, I thought, tearing the flesh apart, pushing the coconut in my mouth and letting it melt from the heat I shared with the miraculous fish. I adored it, took care of it, and it rewarded me with a remarkable culinary experience. I came to the conclusion rather quickly for the experience I was having, how it was unique and special, my very first time. Fish Amok was silky, tender and responding to the touch of my fork. I cannot explain enough how the juices and the cuts made me eager, and I ate with great gusto while steadying myself. I didn’t want to finish too soon, you see, and I wanted it to last. I felt that the fish deserved a good long time, one that was special for it too.

I think I am going to spend time till the end of my days trying to recreate it perfectly in my kitchen. That being said, it has been a year and I haven’t tried cooking it yet. Perhaps because I am a very important person with so many things to do. We were a match made in heaven for one night and one night only, and no matter how many fish come and go in my life now, I will never forget the fish Amok in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

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