Top Phnom Penh markets: A perfect guide that all first visitors need
Cambodia is a well-known nation with stunning scenery, but it’s also a shopping haven with hundreds of goods at reasonable costs. When visiting Cambodia, travelers should not miss these Top Notable Phnom Penh Markets.
Top 8 famous Phnom Penh Markets
When visiting Cambodia, one of the best places to go is Phnom Penh. This location is well-known for its well-known marketplaces and retail centers, in addition to its serene and poetic landscape with numerous exquisite temples. With the top well-known Phnom Penh market recommendations listed below, guests will undoubtedly have a fantastic day shopping in this city.
Russian Market – Phsar Toul Tom Poung
- Address: 163 Phnom Penh, Cambodia (near Mao Zedong Avenue)
- Opening hours: 7:00 – 17:00
Russian market, one of the best Phnom Penh markets, is a well-liked shopping destination for both residents and foreign visitors. When visiting the Russian Market, you will find a plethora of options for buying, including clothing, shoes, imitation and genuine antiques, and sculptures. Although the market doesn’t look particularly appealing at first, backpackers and antique enthusiasts enjoy shopping here because of the unusual and unusual things that can be found there. The Russian Market neighborhood is also close to Phnom Penh’s antique street. When visiting the marketplaces in Phnom Penh, you should go here.
Visitors will find it fascinating to visit the Russian market, select their favorite item, and make the payment. Additionally, the store owners are laid back, enjoyable, and kind. When you visit the market, you may take in the distinctive culture in addition to shopping.
Central Market – Phsar Thom Thmei (New Market)
- Address: Neayok Souk, Phnom Penh 855, Cambodia.
- Opening hours: 7:00 – 18:00
The central Phnom Penh market, Cambodia is located close to the Sorya business centre. It was constructed in 1937 and has architecture similar to that of Saigon’s Ben Thanh market. The pattern is shaped like a cross with four wings and a dome in the middle. Electronics, DVDs, clothing, watches, luggage, suitcases, and a selection of foods are all sold in the four wings. Beneath the central dome, several stores sell gold and silver in addition to beautifully crafted jewelry.
Furthermore, this area is home to many Vietnamese eateries serving dishes including vermicelli, Goi Cuon, fried spring rolls, and hearty porridge. Every day, both locals and tourists throng the center market, so you have to be mindful of keeping the property maintained. Though the prices of apparel, silk, shoes, and souvenirs at Phnom Penh’s central market are lower than those in Sorya, the quality of these goods might not be as good.
If you are considering a shopping trip to Cambodia, you really must visit the well-known marketplaces mentioned above. These well-known markets will serve as a clear representation of the people’s way of life and culture.
Phsar Reatrey Night Market
- Address: located at the intersection between Sisowath Quay and Oknha Ing Bun Hoaw, near Tonle Sap River, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
- Opening hours: Night market in Phnom Penh only operates in the evenings from Friday to Sunday every week and sells goods from 5:30 to 23:30
The food court remains the most appealing feature of the night market, even though souvenirs, clothing, jewelry, and fabrics are the principal things traded there. There’s a wonderfully lyrical and fresh riverfront food street with vermicelli, jaggery tea, insects, and Cambodian cakes on the other side of the night market. You can savor the delectable cuisine and take in the scenery here.
Due to its limited hours of operation, which run from Friday through Sunday night, the night market consistently attracts a considerable number of shoppers. When you visit Phsar Reatrey, you will surely have an amazing evening because there is a lot of busy and lively buying, selling, dining, and exchanging activities going on. You just cannot pass over Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s next hot retail spot.
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Old Market – Phsar Chas
- Address: 13, Phnom Penh 12203, Cambodia
- Opening hours: 6:00 – 18:00
Both visitors and locals use the old market in huge numbers to shop for a range of things, including clothing, jewelry, books, souvenirs, dry goods, street food, and cleaning supplies. The old market is open late into the evening, in contrast to several other marketplaces in Phnom Penh.
There are over a hundred Cambodian merchants set up, with two rows of stores encircling the center and the vendors evenly spaced apart. The Phsar Chas market is highly successful because people often enjoy shopping without worrying about being robbed or having their belongings taken. Because the people at the market, or the vendors themselves, are extremely kind and welcoming to customers, you may freely shop there and buy things at a pretty low price if you know how to pay a little.
Phsar Orussey
- Address: at the end of Street 128 (Khmer Cambodia), Phnom Penh, Cambodia
- Opening hours: 7:00 – 18:00
One of the old markets in Phnom Penh that visitors should see is Orussey Market. The market is built on multiple stories, and one unique aspect is that parking is located on an upper level. The market is small and primarily provides for the everyday necessities of Native Americans. Food, home items, and food are the primary items sold at the Orussey market.
You can freely select Cambodian food items made from rice, lotus seeds, beans, vegetables, and especially dry fish, among which Sea Lake dried snakehead fish is a well-known dish. Don’t hesitate to get this mouthwatering fish for yourself or as a present for your loved ones if you happen to visit this location. Not only does this Orussey market sell food, but it also has many vintage Japanese bicycles for sale. The cost of a car varies from one million to over three million VND. Many Cambodians utilize these bikes, which are of excellent quality.
Olympic Market
- Address: 286, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
- Opening hours: 7:00 – 17:30
Olympic Market, which is open from 7:00 am to 5:30 pm, is situated on Road 286 in Chamkarmon, next to the Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh. It specializes in selling high-quality goods from Thailand, Korea, Vietnam, and China. The majority of the goods available at the Olympic market are clothing, textiles, purses, and jewelry accessories. When visiting Phnom Penh, you should check out this well-known market.
Phsar Thmey (Round market)
- Address: 138, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
- Opening hours: 8:00 – 17:00
The most well-known traditional market is Phsar Thmey, sometimes referred to as Round Market, and visitors visiting Cambodia on a tour should not miss it. Visitors can see and purchase distinctive Cambodian goods here.
That being said, the main attraction for visitors is sampling the delicious and aesthetically pleasing local cuisine. Around the market, there are eye-catching stalls along the passageways selling grilled or deep-fried insects for visitors to see. In addition, the market offers a wide variety of delicious cakes, such as fried prawn cakes, sticky rice, steamed cakes, hog skin cakes and beefcakes.
Jet Container Night Market
- Address: National Assembly Street, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
- Opening hours: 04:00 – 11:00
This is a brand-new Phnom Penh night market featuring an interesting container scene. Wandering around Jet’s Container Night Market, which has eateries and bars, is a pleasant experience. Here, there are 224 stalls selling a wide variety of handicrafts, apparel, and food items, including Thai, Korean, and local cuisine. To give customers even more enjoyment, the market also features a live performance stage.
What to do in Phnom Penh markets?
The markets in Phnom Penh are lively and colorful, providing tourists with fascinating experiences. While exploring these markets, you can engage in the following activities:
Shopping for Local Goods
Handicrafts & souvenirs: Traditional Cambodian handicrafts such as lacquerware, silverware, wooden carvings, and silk scarves can be found in Phnom Penh’s markets. These souvenirs are distinctive keepsakes that showcase the culture of the area.
Clothes and Accessories: There is a large selection of reasonably priced clothes, shoes, jewelry, and accessories at markets like Central Market (Psar Thmey) and Russian Market (Tuol Tom Poung).
Art and Antiques: Paintings by regional artists and interesting antique objects can be found in the art galleries and antique shops that are a hallmark of the Russian Market.
Enjoy Local Cuisine
Street Food: You may sample real Cambodian street food in the Phnom Penh markets. Make sure to try foods like fried noodles, spring rolls, grilled meats, and num pang, a Cambodian sandwich.
Fresh Produce and Spices: Take a look at the stands that have a variety of fresh fruits, veggies, and spices. Mangoes, rambutans, and dragon fruit are examples of tropical fruits that are available.
Traditional Khmer Desserts: Sample some of the region’s sweet treats, like lot cha (Cambodian fried noodles) and nom plae ai (rice dumplings with mung bean filling).
Immerse in Local Culture
Engage with Locals: Markets serve as social hubs where visitors may get a taste of Phnom Penh’s everyday existence. Engage in conversation with sellers and practice haggling, as this is a common habit when buying in Cambodian markets.
Observe Local Artists: In certain markets, you can see artisans creating handcrafted goods like jewelry, silk weaving, or pottery. This gives an idea of the exquisite craftsmanship found in Cambodia.
Photography opportunities
Colorful market scenes: With their vivacious colors, textures, and people, bustling marketplaces make for great photographic subjects. Take pictures of the food displays, street vendors, stalls, and people wearing traditional clothing.
Unusual architecture: Central Market is the ideal location for architectural photography because it is housed in a magnificent Art Deco building with a big dome that dates back to the 1930s.
Buy fresh flowers and Aromatic herbs
Fresh flowers, such as lotus blossoms, which are frequently used in spiritual gifts, are sold at many market kiosks. Additionally, there are flavorful herbs like basil and lemongrass that offer a great sensory experience.
The Phnom Penh markets provide a genuine window into Cambodian culture, replete with vivid hues, a wide variety of foods, and distinctive experiences. Anybody wishing to fully immerse oneself in the city’s culture should visit these markets, where they may explore the busy stalls and find local art and traditional handicrafts. The Phnom Penh markets provide travelers with an amazing experience, whether they are buying souvenirs, sampling street cuisine, or just taking in the vibrant environment.
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