Lort Cha Recipe – Cambodian Stir-Fried Short Rice Noodles with Egg
Lort Cha (លតឆា) is one of Cambodia’s most beloved street food dishes, recognized for its chewy rice pin noodles, savory sauce, and smoky wok-fried aroma. Popular throughout Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, Lort Cha is commonly sold at night markets and roadside stalls, where cooks prepare it quickly over high heat for an irresistible charred flavor.
This dish reflects Cambodia’s culinary crossroads, blending Chinese stir-fry techniques with distinctly Khmer seasonings. Affordable, filling, and intensely flavorful, Lort Cha is a comfort food staple enjoyed by students, workers, and travelers alike.
What Is Lort Cha?
Lort Cha is a stir-fried rice noodle dish made with short, tube-shaped rice noodles known as lort. These noodles are pan-fried with garlic, vegetables, protein such as beef, pork, or seafood, and finished with soy sauce, oyster sauce, and fish sauce.
A fried egg is traditionally cracked directly into the wok and mixed through the noodles, adding richness and depth. The dish is often served with chili sauce and a squeeze of lime, allowing diners to adjust the flavor to their liking.
Cultural Significance of Lort Cha
Lort Cha is deeply tied to Cambodian urban food culture. It is especially popular as an evening snack or late-night meal, served hot and fast to crowds gathering after work.
The dish also highlights Cambodia’s adaptation of Chinese culinary influence, particularly in noodle preparation and stir-frying, while maintaining Khmer flavor balance through fish sauce and local aromatics.
Key Ingredients in Lort Cha
Authentic Lort Cha relies on a balance of chewy noodles, savory sauces, and high heat:
- Rice Pin Noodles (Lort) – short, thick rice noodles with a chewy texture
- Protein – beef, pork, chicken, shrimp, or Chinese sausage
- Garlic – essential aromatic base
- Soy Sauce and Dark Soy Sauce – for seasoning and color
- Oyster Sauce – adds umami depth
- Fish Sauce – Khmer flavor foundation
- Eggs – scrambled into the noodles
- Vegetables – Chinese broccoli, cabbage, or bean sprouts
- Black Pepper – often Kampot pepper for aroma
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Lort Cha
Ingredients (Serves 4)
- 500 g fresh lort noodles (or rice pin noodles)
- 250 g beef or pork, thinly sliced
- 2 eggs
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1½ tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp dark soy sauce
- 1 tsp fish sauce
- ½ tsp Kampot black pepper
- 1 cup Chinese broccoli or cabbage, chopped
- Chili sauce and lime wedges for serving
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients
Separate the noodles gently if stuck together. Slice the protein thinly and have all sauces measured and ready.
Step 2: Heat the Wok
Heat a wok or large pan over high heat. Add vegetable oil and minced garlic, stirring quickly until fragrant.
Step 3: Cook the Protein
Add the sliced meat and stir-fry until nearly cooked through.
Step 4: Add the Noodles
Add the lort noodles to the wok. Toss quickly to coat with oil and aromatics.
Step 5: Season the Dish
Add oyster sauce, soy sauce, dark soy sauce, fish sauce, and black pepper. Stir-fry over high heat to create slight charring.
Step 6: Add Egg and Vegetables
Push noodles aside, crack eggs into the pan, scramble lightly, then mix through the noodles. Add vegetables and cook until just tender.
Step 7: Serve Hot
Remove from heat and serve immediately with chili sauce and lime wedges.
Flavor and Texture Profile
Lort Cha is known for its chewy, satisfying texture and savory umami-rich flavor. The combination of soy sauces and fish sauce creates depth, while high-heat stir-frying adds a smoky note. The egg softens the noodles, and fresh lime provides a bright contrast.
Tips for Perfect Lort Cha
- Use high heat to achieve authentic wok char
- Do not overcook the noodles to maintain chewiness
- Adjust sauces gradually to avoid overpowering saltiness
- Serve immediately for best texture
Why You Should Try Cooking Lort Cha
Cooking Lort Cha at home brings Cambodia’s night market experience into your kitchen. It is fast, customizable, and deeply comforting, making it ideal for busy weeknights or casual gatherings.
By mastering Lort Cha, you gain insight into Cambodian street food culture and its seamless blend of technique, flavor, and accessibility.
