7 Surprising Phnom Penh Markets That Will Shake Up Your Senses

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Local markets in Phnom Penh offer much more than meats, seafood, and fresh produce.

Can you imagine getting your hair done at your local food market? What about getting your nails painted? Or, better yet, buy yourself a nice gold-plated necklace?

While exploring local food specialties in Cambodia, we were surprised to find the local food markets offering all the above.

Wandering through the market stalls in Phnom Penh immerses you in the local food culture.  

On your visit to Cambodia’s capital city, we invite you to explore the local markets. Use our guide to these 7 surprising Phnom Penh markets to make the most of your visit.

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Top Phnom Penh Market For Food And More

1. Central Market or Phsar Thmei: Phnom Penh Most Iconic Market

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Unique dome building at Central Market

The Central Market is probably the most iconic and distinct Phnom Penh market. With its unique central dome connecting to four wings, you will notice the Art Deco building from far as you approach it. 

Built by the French during the colonial period, it was designed to maximize ventilation in Cambodia’s hot and humid climate. When it opened in 1937, it was said to be the largest market in Asia. 

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Inside the massive dome

Today, it is definitely the cleanest and most airy market you will find in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. It is also one of the best markets to ease you into the local food at reasonable prices. 

A large section of the market is dedicated to jewelry vendors, electronics, textile shops, and other accessories like watches, bags, and more.

What To Eat At Phnom Penh Central Market

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Eat a meal at the Central Market

The Central Market also has an interior food court area where you can choose from plenty of food stalls. Each stall tends to specialize in one type of dish. 

From noodle soups, BBQs, or desserts, you’ll be sure to find something to your liking.

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Fresh fruits and vegetables inside the market

Next to the local food section, you’ll find fresh produce, like fruits and vegetables, as well as dried foods and insects. 

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Vendor with spiders, crickets and worms…

We recommend Central Market as the best market for local shopping in Phnom Penh. 

RELATED: Cooking Class in Phnom Penh: Top 3 for Authentic Khmer Cuisine

How To Get There

Tuk-tuk is the local means of transportation in the city. A ride from the Independent Monument should not cost you more than $4 and about 10 mins.

Central Market

Address: At the intersection of St 128 and St 63, Phnom Penh.

Hours: Open daily, 7:00 am – 6:00 pm

2. Russian Market or Phsar Tuol Tom Poung: Best For Souvenirs

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Entrance to Russian Market

The Russian Market is one of the most famous markets in Phnom Penh, Cambodia for the gifts and clothing stalls. 

This market is great for finding knick-knacks, souvenirs, and quality products like silk scarves, t-shirts, comfortable shoes, and more.

In addition to small shops, the market has different stalls for local street food, and more traditional food options become available when dusk sets in. 

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Looking for some eggs? Pink, black or else…

Why is it called the Russian Market? Apparently, in the 1980s, the market was popular with the local expat community, which was made up of Russians living in the area. 

The Russian Market is unlike the Central Market. It is not well-ventilated, the lighting is limited, and the alleys are narrow. The atmosphere is more similar to a traditional market.

What To Eat At The Russian Market

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Cooking taking place outside the market

For food, the options get more interesting after the inside market closes at about 4:30 pm. 

Outside and around the market, you will find all sorts of food stalls and Cambodian street food vendors. 

On one side, you can buy household goods and on the other fresh produce like fruits, vegetables and seafood.

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Fish, chicken and more cooking on the grill

On the other side of the Phsar Toul Tom Poung market, you will find BBQ grilling chicken, Tonle Sap fish, squid, and more. 

Get there before the Russian Market closes to have a quick look on the inside. As the sun sets, take the time to walk around the exterior and settle in for a delicious seafood BBQ dinner.

How To Get There

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Hair salon at the local market

A tuk-tuk ride from the Independent Monument should not cost you more than $5 and about 15 mins.

Russian Market

Address: At the intersection of St 163 and St 440, Phnom Penh.

Hours: Open daily, 6:00 am – 4:30 pm

3. Kandal Market or Phsar Kandal: Phnom Penh’s Biggest Local Market

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One of the alleys at Kandal Market

Kandal Market is an authentic market in the center of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, just off the Riverfront and not far from the Royal Palace. 

The market’s interior is covered, while the outdoor area is a chaotic mess. Negotiations happen in several languages, and people move quickly through the small, narrow walkways. 

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Fresh produce

You’ll see very few tourists here, if any, as mostly locals shop here for fresh food.

The market is filled with clothes and shoes, but most of it is dedicated to fresh meats, produce, and fruits. 

What To Eat At Kandal Market

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Try a new sweet treat at Kandal Market

We stopped by as the market was closing and saw food carts selling hot foods and fresh fruits. 

It was at this market that we first tried Lort Cha, a popular Cambodian street food, for the first time. 

This delicious dish is stir-fried noodles, cooked with bean sprouts, Chinese broccoli, and chives, with beef and a fried egg.

It is also at this market where we were shocked to see a dog’s head cooking in a pan with broth.

At Kandal Market, be prepared for the unexpected. The hygiene levels are questionable, especially compared to Western standards.

Nonetheless, don’t let this stop you from immersing yourself in the local culture. Take in the sounds and unfamiliar sights, and enjoy the local food specialties.

RELATED: Top 10 Popular Cambodian Street Food You Want to Try

How to Get There

A tuk-tuk ride from the Independent Monument should not cost you more than $3-$4 and about 10 mins.

Kandal Market

Address: Intersection of Preah Ang Eng – St.13 and Dekcho Damdin – St.154, Phnom Penh

Hours: Open daily, 7:00 am – 5:00 pm

4. Boeung Keng Kang (BKK) Market: Best For Immersive Experiences

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The entrance to BKK market

This market in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, really surprised us. While hunting for a food market, we stumbled upon BKK and found a lot more than just food. 

It was a chaotic scene, yet somehow organized with different types of stalls for jewelry, beauty products, clothing, shoes, and more.

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Cosmetics and beauty section

Walking into the narrow aisles, were fruit and vegetable vendors carefully organized between stalls of clothes and fashion. 

We learned later that the market is famous for vintage fashion at affordable prices.

What To Eat At Boeung Keng Kang

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Inviting waffles cooked with charcoal

You’ll find a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, and prepared dishes at BKK market. 

Along the market perimeter are women selling “waffles” and an assortment of other local treats. We didn’t try the waffles, though they did smell quite inviting.

While perusing the stalls, we came across one strange, circular fruit. We tried asking about the fruit but could not communicate with the vendor. She did, nonetheless, let us try the fruit. 

After peeling off the skin, you are left with a seed covered with white flesh. The taste was not sweet but rather on the dry and slightly acidic side. 

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Unusual fruit known as Monkey Pod

We didn’t know what the fruit was until an Authentic Food Quest reader identified it for us. 

Apparently, the fruit is known as Monkey Pod” or “Madras Thorn.” It is also found in South India, and in the Tamil language, it is called seeni puliyangai.

Boeung Keng Kang Market, or BKK as it is locally known, is one of the best markets in Phnom Penh for a local experience.

RELATED: Cambodian Cuisine: 12 Unique Dishes to Feast On

How To Get There

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Check out the gold plated jewelry

A tuk-tuk ride from the Independent Monument should not cost you more than $3 and about 10 mins.

Boeung Keng Kang

Address: One block East from the intersection of St. 63 and – St.380, Phnom Penh

Hours: Open daily, 6:00 am – 5:00 pm

5. Orussey Market: Largest Commercial Center

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Bustling entrance – Photo credit: Sundgauvien38 on Wikimedia cc by-sa 3.0

Orussey Market is the biggest market and commercial center in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. You can find anything you need here.

Located on the north side of the Olympic Stadium, it is mostly frequented by locals.

Orussey Market is housed in a large square building on three floors. You will also find shops and food vendors outside the market.

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Porters of goods – Photo credit: Sundgauvien38 on Wikimedia cc by-sa 3.0

Visiting this market is a great place to get the city’s pulse and feel for the local eating habits

You will find few souvenirs or touristy items as the products are mostly household items geared toward locals.

What To Eat At Orussey Market

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Seafood section in the wet market – Photo credit: nate q – nqc on Wikimedia cc by-sa 3.0

In the food section, you will find anything you need to fill up your fridge. The wet market on the ground floor has a large selection of meat, poultry, and seafood stalls, as well as stalls selling grocery products. 

Household goods, different styles of shoes, and clothing, including a wide range of imported items, can be found on the top floors. 

Plan to spend a lot of time exploring the different stalls at this market. Don’t be afraid of getting lost. Enjoy the chaos and buzzing vibe as you shop like locals in the city.

How to Get There

The Orussey Market is located next to the Olympic Market, which specializes in clothes and fabrics, including silk scarves.

A tuk-tuk ride from the Independent Monument should not cost you more than $4 and about 10 mins.

Orussey Market

Address: At the intersection of Oknha Tep Phan St. (182) and St 141, Phnom Penh

Hours: Open daily,  8:00 am – 5:00 pm

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6. Kabko Market or Phsar Kabko: Typical Local Cambodian Market 

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The entrance of Kabko Market

Beyond these iconic five markets we’ve presented, there are many more local markets spread out throughout Phnom Penh. 

You may have a local market located in the neighborhood where you are staying.

In our case, Kabko Market was right next to where we stayed in the capital city. Like most local neighborhood Phnom Penh markets, this one was rather small.

What To Eat At Kabko Market

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Fresh garlic at the market

There were stalls selling fresh fruits, vegetables, and local products and an odd stall or two selling clothes or other accessories.

Get there late in the afternoon or early evening as vendors set up their food cards to cater to the evening crowd. 

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Fake dollar bills mixed with fruits at the market

Visit Kabko Market or the nearest local market in your area and browse and shop like locals.

RELATED: 10 Simple Ways To Prepare Your Stomach For Travel

How To Get There

You could literally walk from the Independent Monument to the market located about four blocks away. If you take a tuk-tuk, it should not cost you more than $1-2 and about 3-5 mins.

Kabko Market

Address: Between Ke Nou St. 9 and Samdach Sothearos Blvd (3), Phnom Penh

Hours: Open daily, 5:00 am – 10:00 pm

7. The Night Market: Best For Night Bites

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Night Market in Phnom Penh – Photo credit: FlickreviewR on Wikimedia cc by 2.0

The Phnom Penh night market is an open-air market in the city center, next to the Tonle Sap River.

Open during the weekends, this night market offers everything you can think of. Find clothing, bags, shoes, jewelry and a wide range of delicious local street food.

Peruse the stalls selling fake international brands and accessories, and if something interests you, don’t hesitate to bargain. However, this market, like most Phnom Penh markets, offers reasonable prices.

What To Eat At The Night Market 

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Enjoy street food – Photo credit: Mx. Granger on Wikimedia cc0 1.0

Regarding the food, you can shop like the locals for fresh fruits and vegetables. Try seasonally available tropical Cambodian fruits, such as dragon fruit, coconut, mango, lychee, and more.

For very reasonable prices, you can also enjoy hot dishes like BBQ chicken, fish amok, noodle soups, Cambodian sausages, and much more.

The food area is set with mats to sit along the river bank, and you eat in a relaxed atmosphere. If you are lucky, you may catch Cambodian live music playing.

While the night market is more touristy, it’s a great place to enjoy Cambodian street food in a lovely setting.

For a night out in the capital city, don’t miss visiting the night market.

RELATED: Top 7 Cooking Classes in Siem Reap To Master Khmer Cuisine

How To Get There

Located between the Tonle Sap River and the Old Market or Phsar Chas, a tuk-tuk ride from the Independent Monument costs between $1-$2 and takes about 5 mins.

Night Market

Address: Between Street 106 and Oknha Ing Bun Hoaw Avenue (Street 108), Phnom Penh 

Hours: Open Fri – Sat, and Sun, 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm

In Summary

Wandering through the Phnom Penh markets is a great way to get a feel for and taste of the local Cambodian culture. 

For us, the local markets in Phnom Penh were unlike any other markets we’ve vistied on our culinary travels. 

The mix of vegetables stacked high and unusual fruits, all intertwined with beauty salons and gold jewelry stalls, was surprising.

The large selection of fresh seafood, fish, and meat—some of which is still moving— can be overwhelming. But it’s what gives you a sense of the local and authentic flavors of the place.

If your travels take you to Cambodia, we invite you to explore the delights at the market. Set any expectations aside and shop and eat at the markets like locals.

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Have you ever visited the markets in Phnom Penh? From our list of the top local markets in Cambodia’s capital, which one would you like to visit? Please let us know in the comments below.

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26 Comments on “7 Surprising Phnom Penh Markets That Will Shake Up Your Senses”

    • True, the waffles looked delicious, however, what stopped us and made us pause, was not knowing how long they had been out. If we were hungry at that particular time and they were made fresh right in front of us, we would have definitively jumped on them!! Thanks for stopping by Carla.

      Reply
  1. markets are always the best place to get food, buy souvenirs, and meet locals! I lived in Bangkok for 7 years and when I go back to visit my favorite spots are always the markets. The ones you’ve visited look very similar to the ones in Thailand as well. It’s pretty awesome to see where cultures blend into each other because of proximity

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  2. All of these markets look amazing! I have been to some markets in Mexico & South America that could definitely be described as organized chaos! Sometimes I find markets a little overwhelming when they’re so big, but you just have to jump in and get involved!

    Reply
    • That’s right, Claire. At the local markets, it’s about just jumping in and going with the flow. What’s also nice is to see a variety of markets. From larger main markets to smaller neighborhood markets. It really gives a good sense of the local food culture. Did you have any favorite markets either in South America or Mexico?

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  3. We stayed right next door – literally – to the Central Market in 2012 Claire. I vividly recall the assault on our senses as we walked through LOL. Fun place. I loved it all save the stomach turning odor of sun-baked fish which seemed to permeate one side of the market. Cool recount here!

    Ryan

    Reply
    • Awesome Ryan, given that you stayed right next to Central Market, you can intimately appreciate the experience. That must have been “prahok” on the side of the market…indeed, quite a cultural experience 🙂 Thanks and great to hear from you 🙂

      Reply
  4. That fruit you could not identify is called “Monkey Pod” or “Madras Thorn”. It is available in South India as well. Here, in tamil we call it seeni puliyangai.

    Reply
  5. I was only in Phnom Penh for a short time and only made it to the Central Market. I was so surprised by the variety of vendors. The vast selection of jewellery was crazy! I would have loved to get to one of the local markets you mention, like Kandal or Kabko.

    Reply
    • The markets are so diverse in Phnom Pehn that it is definitively worth going beyond the Central Market. Yes, the jewelry selection is quite incredible. Keep this list handy for your next trip to the Kingdom of Cambodia. Thanks for stopping by!

      Reply
  6. I love and hate when your blog comes up in my mega share feed. Love the delectable photos and tasty stories, hate that they make me hungry!

    At any rate, as much as I dislike going to outdoor markets in the US, I love doing that abroad.

    Reply
    • Glad you like the article, Peter. Out of curiosity, why do you dislike the market in the U.S. We find the neighborhood and local markets in the U.S. quite charming. Very different though than the markets abroad! Thanks for stopping by.

      Reply
    • In Cambodia, you certainly need to haggle. There are 3 different levels of pricing – for locals, for expats, and for tourists. Knowing even a few words in Khmer comes in handy. The markets are absolutely an experience and a lot of fun to explore. Any thoughts what that fruit might be? Cheers.

      Reply
  7. I love that you can get your nails done, buy some jewelry, then get food all in the same place! We missed out on the market scene when we were in Phnom Penh, I would love to go back and check it out! As for that mysterious fruit, it sort of looks like Tamarind but it has that unusual circle shape (almost like something a baby would use when teething! haha). I am curious as to if anyone can correctly identify it!

    Reply
    • Thanks for taking a stab Megan at that fruit. Agree, it looks like Tamarind, but it’s not. At least we can agree it’s in the Tamarind family. Bummer to read you missed out on the local markets while you were in Phnom Pehn. A trip back, perhaps?? Appreciate your comments.

      Reply
  8. I am always up for a street market and after reading this and seeing your photos, I would defo want to check this out when I get to Phnom Penh one day. Great post. 🙂

    Reply
  9. I love the look of those strange fruit. Wandering markets is a great way to get a sense of a city although sometimes they can be crazeeeee!!!

    Reply

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