Popular Traditional Markets in Phnom Penh That Shopaholics Shouldn't Miss

In the present , more and more international standard supermarkets are being developed in Cambodia, especially in Phnom Penh.

Due to the increase in these supermarkets, some people are worried that it will affect the local traditional market. However, some traditional markets are still functioning well and are popular with many Cambodians because they are still related to their daily lives.

In fact, supermarkets and traditional markets are different. Most of the supermarkets are for leisure activities such as watching movies, shopping for well-known brands, eating popular food, etc., but if you want to buy vegetables, meat, fruits, and other daily goods, you can buy them at the traditional market.

Therefore, are there any traditional markets in Phnom Penh that are suitable for shopaholics? Let's get to know the special conditions of those markets together!

※ Orussey Market ※

- Address: Street 182, Sangkat Orussey Ti 1, Khan 7 Makara

- Opening hours: 8 AM to 5 PM daily

Orussey Market is the largest wholesale market in central Phnom Penh and also the largest gathering of Chinese vendors, with the most complete range of fresh meat, vegetables, fruits, clothing, home appliances, handicrafts, jewelry, and all kinds of spices. The market is a three-story concrete building with a white exterior and blue signage.

The ground floor is the busiest floor as it has many stalls for daily necessities such as meat, fish, vegetables, dry food, and household items. This floor also has many food stalls with reasonable prices and not only Khmer food but also Vietnamese and Chinese style.

On the second and third floors, you can buy clothes, shoes, jewelry, and cosmetics, both wholesale and retail. In addition, every year during the Chinese New Year, Orussey Market is also the busiest market, with many people flocking to buy Chinese paper ornaments and Chinese New Year decorations in large numbers.

※ Olympic Market ※

- Address: Street 286, Sangkat Olympic, Khan Boeung Keng Kang

- Opening hours: 7am to 5:30 pm daily

The Olympic Market was built in 1962. It is a three-story market and is divided into two buildings, Building A and Building B which located near the National Olympic Stadium. 

The market is one of the best places to find beautiful fabrics and textiles, offering a wide range of colorful fabrics and showcasing traditional Khmer patterns, diverse textures, and intricate weaving methods. 

Olympic Market is also a popular wholesale market for clothes, shoes, bags, cosmetics, and other affordable items, most of which are imported from China, Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam. The outer area around the market is very busy and cramped, with motorbikes, tricycles, and cars often parked at the entrance. In addition, on the ground floor, there are many food stalls for shoppers to sit, relax, and try delicious food at reasonable prices.

※ Tuol Tompoung Market ※

- Address: Street 444, Sangkat Toul Tompoung Ti 1, Khan Boeung Keng Kang

- Opening hours: 6am to 4:30 pm daily

The market is also known as the "Russian Market" because of its popularity among Russians during the 1980s. 

Tuol Tom Poung Market is one of the most well-known markets for tourists and foreigners shopping, as souvenirs, antiques, wooden statues, oil and candles, handicrafts, and all kinds of clothes can be found in this market. In particular, most of the vendors in this market speak English, so foreign customers can easily communicate and negotiate prices.

Outside the market are stalls selling fresh vegetables and fruits, and inside the market are a variety of food stalls. In addition, the area around the market also has coffee shops and other air-conditioned places to sit, relax, and chat if you feel very hot after walking in the market for hours.

※ Boeung Keng Kang Market ※

- Address: Street 380, Sangkat Boeung Keng Kang Ti 1, Khan Boeung Keng Kang

- Opening hours: 6am to 5pm daily

Boeung Keng Kang Market is a popular market among young people, rich in trendy and affordable goods, located near Chip Mong Noro Mall. At Boeung Keng Kang Market, you can find food and beverages, vegetables, meat, home supplies, clothing, and beauty products. 

But what makes this market a little different is that you can also find many stalls selling second-hand clothes, shoes, and bags from different countries.

※ Central Market ※

- Address: Street 130, Sangkat Phsar Thmei Ti 1, Khan Daun Penh

- Opening hours: 7am to 6pm daily

Phsar Thom Thmei, commonly referred to as the "Central Market" in English, is an old market built during the French colonial period in the early 20th century (1935–1937) by Jean Desbois, a French architect. It is built in Art Deco style, and the exterior is painted yellow and gray. 

The Central Market has a four-arm round roof, creating a place that sells a wide range of goods ranging from vegetables, fruits, seafood, jewelry, watches, bags, suitcases, shoes, clothing, as well as T-shirts and souvenirs. In the outer area around the market, there are many fresh flower stalls that locals buy for various religious festivals.

※  Kandal Market ※ 

- Address: Preah Ang Eng Blvd. (St. 13), Sangkat Phsar Kandal Ti 1, Khan Daun Penh

This market is located in the center of Phnom Penh near the riverside, which is called "Kandal Market" in English, so it won't be confused with Central Market. Kandal Market has many alleys, but the main entrance is on Preah Ang Eng Boulevard (Street 13). In the morning, you can find lots of fresh meat, vegetables, and fruits at this market.

Although the walking ways are a bit narrow, the market is full of goods such as clothes, jewelry, shoes, bags, and lots of food stalls. In addition, the central area of the market also has many barbershops and facial massages with reasonable prices, and the owners are mostly Vietnamese.

※ Doeum Kor Market ※

- Address: Sangkat Phsar Doeum Kor, Khan Toul Kork

- Opening hours: 

5:30 am to 5 pm every Monday; 

6am to 7pm every Tuesday; 

and 6am to 5pm every Wednesday to Sunday.

Doeum Kor Market is located between Mao Tse Toung Blvd and Samdech Monireth Blvd (St. 217). It is one of the largest retail and wholesale markets for fruits and vegetables in Phnom Penh. Most fruit and vegetable traders take goods from here at cheap prices and distribute them to all 24 provinces throughout Cambodia.

It should also be noted that the ASEAN-International Wholesale Market, or Doeum Kor Thmey Market, which started construction in 2022 on an area of more than 20 hectares and is led by China’s Guangxi Business Development Association (GBDA), is also set to open soon. The project is located along Win-Win Blvd in Kouk Roka commune, Prek Pnov district. When it opens, the market will be a wholesale hub for a wide range of goods, both domestic and imported. This market will also help to share the traders from Doeum Kor Market on Samdech Monireth Blvd, which caused disorder in Phnom Penh as well.

※ Tuol Kork Market ※

- Address: Sangkat Boeung Kak Ti 2, Khan Toul Kork

- Opening hours: 8am to 5pm daily

Tuol Kork Market is a state-owned market that has existed since the old period, and during the year 2000, the Royal Government of Cambodia invested in the market for Chinese private companies and has continued to open the market until now. The market is also a wholesale Chinese goods center. Moreover, you can also buy fresh vegetables, fruits, daily necessities, and clothes.

Aside from all the above traditional markets in Phnom Penh, there are many other markets, both public and private, and in the future, those markets may also be developed and improved to be better compared to supermarkets to attract more customers to shop.