The time must have been past midnight as we began our search for a tuk tuk ride home. Before leaving the Old Market, there was one necessary thing to purchase: a Banana milo pancake desert from one of the many stalls that cluster each street corner. Having read raving blogs about this Cambodian delight, Kristy led us toward a stall. None of us were really sure what a banana pancake meant to Cambodians, but we ordered four ($0.75 each) and anxiously watched. Similar to the metal serving platters of a cafeteria, the man pulled the cover off to reveal little dough balls on top of one another in perfect rows like an egg carton. With one in hand, he oiled the counter and flattened the dough similar to pizza crust. With fluid motions he flattened and enlarged the dough into a thin layer. After thinned, the crepe/pancake began to cook on the griddle. Sliced bananas were soon added, flattened and folded into the pancake. Once fully cooked, slightly brown, a spatula quickly flipped the pancake onto a piece of wax paper for the second man in the stall to finish the desert. Condensed milk was dripped evenly onto the pancake, and a cinnamon chocolate powder followed. After being rolled into taquito form, the brilliant chefs of this desert personally placed it into our hands. Oh, and we also bought an extra $0.75 banana milo for a small child that had his face plastered the glass with hungry eyes and one long shirt clothing him. In hopes of escaping the ambush of thousands of kids wanting the same thing from us, we secretly handed him one as we approached a tuk tuk. His unbelievably happy eyes looked up at us before he quickly ran off to hide his good fortune.
On the tuk tuk we all unwrapped our banana milo pancakes and took the first bite of the best food we have found here so far. Everything melted in my mouth with just enough sweetness to satisfy my taste buds. I would not be surprised if this treat became a regular Old Market snack and I wish I could bring it home for everyone. I suppose I will just have to get a recipe. :)
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