Happy pizza in Cambodia left me insane in the membrane: a high time in Siem Reap
First night in Siem Reap: I met up with some crazy friends which is the fruit of Tinder and Couchsurfing contacts. Most of us just arrived that same night so I felt the urge to gather everyone for dinner as I can transform into a real monster when I am hungry.
We couldn’t decide where to eat but I took the lead – there was something goofy, classic and touristy thing I needed to do.
We hailed a tuktuk from our hostel and simply said the magic word to the driver: happy pizza.
He then took us to a row of restaurants serving the famous happy pizza in Cambodia. It wasn’t sketchy. It just looked like a village of happiness.
When I thought it was all about happiness, a young woman who appears to be ‘fanning’ the menu welcomed us with a not so big smile. She’s grumpy and won’t definitely pass as a happy pizza endorser.
What makes this pizza so happy?
None of us knew how to order the happy pizza because it wasn’t on the menu. Neither of us wanted to ask. In the brief time that I was in Siem Reap, I had noticed that it wasn’t like Morocco that you can see everyone smoking hashish in the streets.
Meaning, we didn’t think happy pizza was legal in Cambodia. I was thinking the way to order was under the table or a soft whisper to the server. Yes, happy pizza is a marijuana infused pizza.
I took the lead again and finally had the courage to say “happy pizza” in broken English. You might wonder how I pulled off the ‘broken’ English with this short of words but I emphasised the word “HAPPY” with my order as you will not see anything like it on the menu.
Imagine me looking like an idiot while saying haaappeeeee peeeeettttssssaaaa.
“Is this your first time?” the server asked. I didn’t understand what her question was all about. First time with what?
Eating marijuana infused food or eating happy pizza? “We’ve had it before, but not in pizza form,” I said.
My friend followed up: “me, it’s my first time.” The waitress then explained that if it’s your first time, you have to order the weakest of them all aka not so happy pizza. Just a kick. Nothing serious.
Great! They have these levels of highness in their pizzas too. You know, how Thailand’s levels of spiciness are. “We want to be happy so we’ll take the strongest one,” my friend, who happened to be celebrating her birthday that day ordered.
“Make it extra happy,” I said. We then chose our toppings and off she went.
Alright, if it’s your first time, you have to order the flavour first (Margherita, pepperoni, whatever you please) and say the magic word.
Apparently, they serve normal pizzas too (for those who are not adventurous enough and want to pass on the happiness).
And then we wait… and wait… and wait.
Happy or not, pizzas are always good with beers so while waiting, we ordered some Angkor beer to clench our thirst (and hunger).
My favourite part of my travels is being able to taste beers from all over the world but I am still looking forward to the indigenous pizza topped with oregano/basil like particles that is known to be weed.
Don’t get me wrong: I am a responsible citizen of the world that knows her limits and in no way engage with excessive use of marijuana.
However, I am supporting medical marijuana as it has proven to cure illnesses all over the world. I was also inspired to travel and taste marijuana infused food through the Vice’s famous Youtube show who visits restaurants that put marijuana in their food.
The pizza came and we were happy because we were really hungry. I was expecting the kick from eating my first piece and it came quickly.
As I ate more, I have observed that the level goes higher and higher but I would like to point that (1) I just came from a long flight: Manila-Kuala Lumpur-Siem Reap and was really tired; (2) I was already anticipating that I will get high.
This really changes your game. The more you expect it will get you high, it will really hit you. I said this because I realised I was the only one feeling it. The rest of the group weren’t.
For $5.50 USD, I finished a small box of happy pizza, $6.00 USD for 4 bottles of beer and a company of good friends whom you don’t know if they were high or not. 3 boys who are obviously tourists entered the restaurant and seemed to be lost.
They went to the counter and like everyone else, they didn’t know how to order. They approached our table and asked, “is that what I think it is?”
My friend still had her last 2 pieces that she couldn’t finish. I said yes. “Do you guys speak Spanish?” one of the Mexican looking dudes asked.
I said, “si” in response. They cheered and just started chanting in Spanish. One of them is Peruvian, the other is Swedish and the last one is a Mexican, just as I predicted.
They were all surprised that we can speak fluent Spanish and thought we were from somewhere in their region. To shock them more, I said “we are from the Philippines.”
The hoorah started again. Because I was high, I spoke perfect Spanish than I ever spoken in the months that I am here in Asia and it’s good that I am still able to practice.
They ordered their happy pizza, finished them in a heartbeat and all of us decided to be friends and went to the famous Pub Street. High like never before, we continued to drink more Angkor beers while dancing to the 90’s hip hop beat at the Temple and Angkor Whatttt???? — 2 popular bars in Pub Street.
I enjoyed the music so much but I am confused if it’s because I am a girl who is still stuck in the 90’s or because of the happy pizza.
We danced the night and before feeling the hunger strike, we decided to call it a night and head to our hotel. I definitely don’t like eating so late at night and seeing happy shakes parade the streets of Siem Reap made me sick.
I didn’t try the shake but I slept like a baby in a 5-star hotel. Win-win. If you are following me on Snapchat (psimonmyway), I am sure you know how this night ended.
To put this all together, I was really high and happy. The following day, one of our friends who haven’t tried happy pizza asked us to go to another restaurant that was different from the previous night.
It was called Happy Herb Pizza and man, I didn’t feel a thing. It was just like any ordinary pizza. My reaction from last night were probably stronger because of the long flight (or that I don’t smoke pot regularly) but I don’t know the effects of this pizza to every individual.
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Lived in Cambodia for 4 months in 2014 volunteering with an NGO, and tried happy pizza and normal pizza a lot. Never felt any difference, sadly 🙁
I am feeling old…. By the heading I just thought it was somewhere that was called happy pizza. Ohhh no, the pizza was the happiest kind of pizza you can get. Interesting how people had different reactions, maybe it was the being tired that aided your “happiness”. Would I try happy pizza, oh hell yes!!!
I had no idea happy pizza was a thing! I’m curious to give it a go though. Sounds like you have fun on your travels. Will have to find you on Snapchat too
I have tried pizza and felt happy, but I’ve never tried this kind of “happy pizza” and I’m not sure how I’d regret. Not something to try with my kids anyway….Glad you had fun!
I lived in Cambodia for two years but I ever tried it. It is just not my thing, but if it makes you more fluent in Spanish I might have to reconsider, as I always struggle to speak it fluently. Ha ha! 😉
Interesting! Can’t say I’ve ever heard of marijuana infused pizza, but hey, when in Rome! I visited some coffee shops while in Amsterdam but didn’t really feel any different, so I’m not sure if the pizza would have much effect, but would be interesting to at least say you’ve tried!
This made me laugh a bit! Never heard of happy pizza before and this sounds a bit crazy.
Truth is, the pizza actually looks quite good and you can’t obviously tell the difference!
Being from the Netherlands, where smoking marijuana is legal, you would think that I have tried happy pizza… But no;-) I prefer the regular kind. Interesting to read the different reactions to the happy pizza though.
When I was in Siem Reap I didn’t hear about “happy pizza.” I did have some regular pizza though, and that made me pretty happy lol!
Happy Pizza. Brilliant. Kill two birds with one stone. Satisfy your high and the munchies at the same time. Toronto is working on its marijuana laws I hope to see Happy Pizza at the local Pizzeria…lol
Happy Pizza….that’s pretty cool. And I thought brownies were the go to thing haha!
I tried Happy Pizza. Pizza with one spoon of happiness. After an hour of eating pizza I felt like walking in the clouds. Back in hotel I started doing the same thing again after 5 minutes. I was like crazy and started laughing the whole night for no reason. Whenever I say something I immediately forgot what I said few minutes ago and would ask my roommate what I said to her. Then I got scared and started crying and then laughing and crying. It was scary and I thought I’d be like that forever. The next day at 3pm I was finally okay.
I had NO idea what “happy pizza” was before going to Cambodia! I was glad that I had read reviews before ordering take out one day though! I was shocked that it was actually a “thing!”
I’m always really wary of taking drugs (both at home and abroad) – but particularly abroad as you don’t know what else has been mixed/cut with it. I’m sure you’d have been relatively safe with marijuana – but I might give it a miss myself!
We tried this too when we were in Cambodia but I didn’t feel a thing. I wonder why? but none of us were high. I’m usually a very cheerful and playful person, maybe that’s why I didn’t feel anything, it just felt like the usual me.
Would love to try this happppppppeeeeeeeeeee peeeetssaaaaaaa! In your photos your group looked really happy hahaha.
First time in my life that I hear about happy pizza I have only heard of happy cakes in Amsterdam. I would love to try though!
I’ve never heard of this, I don’t think they had this when I was in Cambodia 13 years ago. Doesn’t really seem my thing either …
Oh btw, I’m not against drugs or anything, I’m from Holland after all 🙂 I guess that growing up with marihuana being legal I just don’t have the urge to ever use it again, after I didn’t feel anything in the past …
I was hoping you’d say if your friend who hadn’t tried it before was okay with the super happy pizza. I’ve never heard of it before just now. Sounds like an experience.
Happy Pizza. I have lived in Siem Reap during my volunteering days but never had this kind of “happy pizza”. Such a shame!
I am so happy that you had ‘Happy’. 🙂
Definitely sounds like an eventful night, never knew happy pizza was a thing. It looked delicious though, but then I have a soft spot for pizza. Its language-improving powers definitely sound appealing!
That looks a really delicious Pizza. I don’t know why whenever we think of Pizza we think of Italy! now, I’m going to think of the Cambodian pizza!
Thanks for sharing!
Your experience being told that you must get a smaller “happy pizza,” less potent, in the case of your friend is definitely an interesting one. They must be very experienced with dealing with these concerns from their clientele.
LOL! We definitely want to try happy pizza, but we’re quite worried if we won’t be able to control ourselves. Considering we are alcohol-intolerant, we’re not exactly sure if we’re marijuana-tolerant. 😀
Ok people..calm down..here is the truth..having lived here for years..and “knowing “Happy Herb Pizza” and owners”..they use pot as a condiment of sorts, and have for the 20 years I have been here. Years ago, they started using pot in the oil to cook the pizza…it is the ONLY way to get high from edibles..I also live in California, where I use pot for back pain.
Now, if you ask, they will indeed, “say” it is “happy”, but usually, it is not..especially, if you go just one time. However, if you are a “regular,” they will heat up a selected pizza, which presents with a small buzz AND a headache, which lasts the entire night.
Come on, why, would they sell varying strengths of pot intensity, with a Police Booth directly across the street? “Happy Herb Pizza”,is family run, only the husband/man, speaks English…his wife, and one waiter, do not speak English.
I believe the author here, is young and naiive, and that’s fine, to believe she had this ” supposed” experience, but to set the record straight…”Ecstatic Pizza” has terrible pizza, (only tomato sauce, little bits of cheese tossed on..with a lot of “shake”, mixed with pepper), while “Happy Herb” pizza, is indeed, the better choice..as they have better pizza, thin crusted with nice spinach and cheese..(seen in the photo).
It is a myth to believe people like this author, are getting blasted on anything other than their beers, and their delusional desire to be high. That said, if you like believing you are “happy”, then the pizza is great, but I think younger travelers, actually believe they are “discovering” miracles around the World, that are no longer in existence.
Sure, they can mix Tramadol, aspirin, Valium, Zanex, Ambian..whatever they want to use, ( all these drugs are available currently over the counter..) So, my advice..buy whatever drug you wish to be “happy” on, and then eat your pizza..but to perpetuate this unrealistic myth..is dangerous..and you are only perpetuating the Cambodian belief..that “foreigners are truly gullible, in their attempt to be high”.
This writer’s friends were correct..they were not high..and the writer is clearly still high, in that, she advances the notion..while she stays in a “five star hotel”, identifying “Mexicans” at large, improving her language skills eating at this small pizza place!!
That said, I am going there..to learn Mandarin (!!) so I can speak with all the Asians, who have overtaken this entire town…
I wholeheartedly concur. This article is a joke. Can you get ganga in Cambodia fairly easily…absolutely. But your not getting it as told by the writer, at least nothing that you would want, nor in any quality that is going to make you feel any differently.
You have had great experiences
Maybe next time I’ll come here and eat this pizza