Gko Lan Phnom

Is a Cambodian dish that is directly translated as “Cow Climb Mountain.”

During our last few weeks at site we found ourselves being invited to dinner party after dinner party from friends we had made over time. Cow Climb Mountain, was the most popular dish that was served (partially because it’s a special dish and preparation takes a little extra work – and they save it for special occasions.)

The gadget that is used for this particular meal, is almost like a fondue type of set. It’s made of metal, and it is pointy and shaped like a mountain and has slats that are open which let the heat through. At the bottom of ‘the mountain’ it sort of dips out like a mote, where you put oil which gets heated up by the open chamber underneath it where you place hot coals. So once the oil is heated through, you grab your chopsticks and the raw meat, and other chopped up veggies such as cabbage, green peppers, leafy greens – and fry em’ up in the hot oil, while you all sit on the floor in a circle and enjoy it…eating it hors d’oeuvres style. It’s sort of a social meal, and pretty darn delicious if I do say so myself.