If there’s one thing Phnom Penh has plenty of, it’s markets. The city is home to a range of bustling squares, from street food push carts to stalls hawking tourist trinkets. But not all markets are created equal - here’s the lowdown on where to go for what.
The tourist hotspots
If you’re looking for a place to buy souvenirs, these markets are the best place to go. Some traditional souvenirs include silver plates, silk scarves, and traditionally woven mats. These markets are also a haven for replica sneakers; you’ll find your Jordans, Yeezys, anything that’s trending. If $15 knock-off Rolexes sound appealing to you, you’ll be spending hours diving in the piles of replica goods.
Central Market/Phsar Thmei
Arguably the most unique on the list, Central Market’s dominating presence is hard to miss. Constructed in the French Art Deco style, the bright yellow dome can be spotted from a mile away.
Here, you’ll find Phnom Penh’s largest selection of jewellery, clothes, household electronics, and even fresh produce in the wet market. The Central Market also makes for a comfortable shopping experience as the high ceilings provide respite from Cambodia’s sweltering heat. It’s also known for its cleanliness. Central Market is undoubtedly geared towards tourists. The prices are slightly inflated and haggling can be a bit tougher than the everyday Cambodian market. The vendors may also seem a bit more aggressive in making a sale.
You can cover the central area’s Royal Palace, National Museum, and the Central Market with an informative tour of the landmarks. Book the tour here
Open daily from 7am to 6pm
Russian Market/Tuol Tompoung
Tuol Tompoung is known as the ‘Russian Market’ because it was the go-to-market for Russian expats in the 1980s. Don’t be fooled by the name, however, as the stalls sell local goods and items commonly purchased by tourists. If you’re in the mood for street food - this is the place to get your fill.
Tuol Tompoung offers a more ‘local’ experience among the touristy markets. While it may give the impression that it’s meant for tourists, you’ll find a healthy balance of foreign and local customers in the crowd.
Opens daily from 6.30 am to 5 pm.
Phnom Penh Night Market/Phsar Reatrey
Night owls looking to snack will find their home here. This lively market is popular with the youth of the city. Phsar Reatrey is one of the only markets that has mats set up for customers to dine on, making it a unique street food destination.
The market is a sensorial rainbow. You’ll be greeted with the overpowering scent of grilled meat and treated to the sounds of live music that’s played on a large stage at the centre of the market. Located by the river, it also makes for a great place to pick up a snack for an evening stroll.
This isn’t necessarily a typical ‘touristy’ market though, it just happens to draw a large foreign crowd, and for good reason! Locals enjoy the place just as much as travellers do.
Opens every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 5 pm in the evening to midnight.
The Local Experience
Phsar Orussey
The lack of an alternate English name is probably the first sign of Phsar Orussey being more of a local market. You won’t find the typical items sold to tourists like elephant pants and floral prints. Instead, what you get is an endless stream of fresh produce, meat, poultry, and seafood. Like all Cambodian wet markets, street food dominates a large portion of the area. You’ll find hawkers dipping whole chickens in vats of oil and the occasional lort cha noodles. The stalls also carry goods like household items and CDs from local artists.
If you’re out here to experience how the locals live, Phsar Orussey delivers. You’ll get an unfiltered glimpse into the produce that the locals buy and the street food that they eat. Just be prepared for the shouting and the potentially grimy floors of a busy wet market.
Opens daily from 8 am to 5 pm
Phsar Kandal
Phsar Kandal which roughly translates to ‘market in the middle’ in Khmer, sits in the centre of the city itself, just a 9 minutes’ walk from the Royal Palace. Stop by here for a quick bite in between tours - you will not be disappointed.
Phsar Kandal isn’t as busy as Orussey but it certainly holds its own in its variety of stalls. You’ll find an abundance of clothes, bags, shoes, and common accessories. The walkways are narrow and potholes can be found everywhere, making it an authentic reflection of most Southeast Asian wet markets.
Opens early in the morning and closes around 5-6 pm daily
