As with all of Cambodia’s towns, you’re never too far away from a market, and Phnom Penh is no exception. During our week in the capital we visited The Central Market twice, and I wrote about our visit in a previous post, and it was the most enjoyable, so if you only have time to go to one market, I’d recommend the Central Market (Psar Thmei).

The Russian Market (Psar Tuol Tom Pong)

We took a tuk-tuk ride here from our hotel, and literally walked in one side of the market, found it too hot and smelly, so walked out the other side without buying anything. But don’t let us put your off. It doesn’t look like much from the outside, but it’s packed with stalls selling hand-carved statues and handmade silk scarves and mass-produced souvenirs and fake bags and clothing.

After the vastness of the Central Market, The Russian Market’s narrow aisles are dark, oppressive, and hot (making it a little bit smelly in the heat!) It’s a tourist hot-spot for souvenirs and discounted Western fake clothing, so come here with your bargaining head on as these stall holders are used to dealing with tourists so you’ll have to work for your deals. But if you’re looking for brand names at discount prices, it’ll be worth the effort. Just not for us.

• Open 6am to 5pm daily
• Located off Mao Tse Toung Blvd, down Street 155

The Russian Market is located in the southern area of Phnom Penh, and known to the locals as Phsar Toul Tom Poung, but your tuk-tuk driver will also know it as the Russian Market. It was a popular market among the Russian expats in the Eighties when they were the predominant expat community, hence the market’s name.

Phnom Penh’s Night Market (Phsar Reatrey)

This market was a brisk walk from where we were staying. We walked from our hotel and explored the riverside walk. There are plenty of interesting places to eat and drink along this main road. So reek of colonial days, and others are hole in the wall.

So whatever vibe you’re looking for, you’ll find something to fit your budget and mood. We settled on the Riverside Bistro for a few cocktail (colonial feel) – sometimes you just need a break from the budget backpacking options! But we settled a hole in the wall Indian restaurant (Sinan Restaurant) that soaked up the alcohol just fine.

This open-air market seems to be more popular with the Khmer crowd that tourists. Although there was a collection of stalls selling clothes and accessories, the main draw was the vast seating area (mainly on rush mats on the floor) where families and groups of friends were devouring the food they’d purchased from one of the many food stalls. If we hadn’t already eaten, we would have been tempted to sample a few of the food stalls.

It was really lively market, with a central stage hosting live performances from singers and bands. Go for the music and food, but you can skip the stalls, they really are geared towards the local clientele.

• https://www.facebook.com/ppnightmarket/
• Open 5pm to 11pm Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
• Street 108 and Sisowath Quay

Other Markets

There are other daily markets held throughout the city, mostly consisting of meat, fish, and vegetable stalls with a selection of food vendors, with locals crammed around metal and plastic tables, on rickety chairs. These are usually vibrant and noisy, great for wandering around to get a sense of the day-to-day life.

Other Markets in Phnom Penh, we didn’t get a chance to visit:

Psar O Russei – known for its large selection of secondhand clothes (as well as food, jewelry, and household items). It’s located in a huge building that looks like a shopping mall from the outside, but is a labyrinth of stalls on the inside. It’s more geared towards locals than tourists, so you won’t find an array of souvenirs here. But if you looking for electronic goods or some clothes, they’re here in abundance.

• Open 6:30am to 5:30pm Daily
• Off Charles De Gaulle Blvd., down Street 139

The Old Market (Psar Chaa) – apparently this is just as scruffy looking as the Russian Market, with the same selection of clothing, jewelry, and household goods. There are also food vendors and fresh fruit stalls here, as well as souvenir stalls. It’s right around the corner from the Night Market (on the opposite diagonal corner on Preah Ang Eng Street).

Open 6am to 5:30pm Daily

After the Central Market, we enjoyed the Night Market the best. We didn’t buy anything, but the frantic vibe of the place, the music, and the food selection made it worth a visit. The best thing about it was that it’s outside, and when the weather is hot and humid, the last place you want to be is stuck in the middle of row of stalls under a corrugated roof.

Flashpacking through Cambodia

Flashpacking through Cambodia: For Baby Boomers on a Budget is my latest Roving Jay travel guide full of travel tips, advice, and sample itineraries for flash packers who want the back packing experience without foregoing some of life’s creature comforts – like a comfortable bed, a hot shower, free wi-fi, and somewhere to plug your electric toothbrush in.

I spent almost three months backpacking around Cambodia in 2017/2018 to research this travel guide, and I share insights and first hand knowledge of tourist traps and off-the-beaten-path discoveries. We ate street food, drank 50c beers, and travelled by train, bus, minivan and tuktuk to identify the best ways to get from A to B.

If you’d like to receive a free Review Copy ahead of the general public release, please click here.

Here’s my Cambodia posts on this blog:

• Cambodia Visa and Arrival at Siem Reap Airport
• Cambodia: How to Avoid the Crowds at Angkor Wat
• Filling up your scooter in Cambodia
• The Best Tasting Street Food in Siem Reap
• Angkor Wat at Dawn: Is it worth it?
• Come face to face with Angkor Thom’s Bayon
• Good vs. Evil at Angkor Thom’s Impressive Southern Gate
• The Baphuon Temple and the Terrace of the Elephants at Angkor Thom
• Visiting Siem Reap’s War Museum
• Where to Stay in Siem Reap
• Visiting Siem Reap’s Markets
• Give your taste buds a disco at Siem Reap Night Market
• Responsible Tourism at Joe to Go in Siem Reap
• What to See and Do in Siem Reap
• Which Siem Reap Floating Village should you visit?
• Memorable Boat Trip from Siem Reap to Battambang
• Libations and Bric-a-Brac tempt our purse strings in Battambang
• Vegetable Amok at About the World Restaurant in Battambang
• Cooking Classes at Nary’s Kitchen Battambang
• Pomme Bar, Restaurant and Hostel, at the Core of the new Battambang
• An educational trip around Battambang’s Central Market
• Sightseeing and things to do in Battambang Cambodia
• Bayon VIP Bus from Battambang to Phnom Penh Cambodia
• Exploring Phnom Penh’s 172nd Street in the dark
• The challenge of wandering Phnom Penh’s streets
• A visit to Phnom Penh’s Central Market
• Exploring Phnom Penh’s Markets
• Phnom Penh Photo Diary
• Tops sights to see in Phnom Penh
• Touring S-21 Security Prison (Tuol Sleng Museum Phnom Penh)
• A reflective visit to The Killing Fields
• Taking a train from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville
• The majesty of Otres Beach sunsets
• Our Workaway Gig at Otres Beach Market Cambodia
• Working Away to make Cambodian Bagels
• Cambodia Pastry Wars: The Battle of the Quiche
• Our Cambodia workaway gig renovating a market stall
• Unwind on Cambodia’s Koh Ta Kiev Island
• Cambodian Beach Massage and Grilled Seafood
• Building Community during our Cambodian Workaway
• Gecko Village in Kampot Cambodia – a Photo Essay
• Christmas Eve in Kampot
• more coming