Phsar Samaki: Kampot's Central Market

Why go

Phsar Samaki is the main shopping place in Kampot and still works as an everyday market first and a visitor stop second. Locals shop here for dinner ingredients, clothes and kitchen supplies, so you see ordinary routines rather than a staged display.

Because it stands right in the centre of town, you do not need a plan to reach it. Walk toward the middle of Kampot, or use the map link on this page.

The food stalls

Fruit is usually the first thing you meet inside. Expect mangoes, mangosteens and Kampot durian, much of it brought in from farms nearby.

Further in is the seafood section. Kampot is close to the coast, so the tables carry fish, crabs and shrimp, and there are separate rows of meat and poultry.

The spice stalls are worth slowing down for. This is a straightforward place to buy Kampot pepper, which has a strong reputation among pepper buyers around the world. Baskets of dried spices sit alongside it.

Small stalls inside also sell noodle soup and sweet desserts at low prices, which makes a cheap snack stop between aisles.

Clothes, gifts and household goods

A large part of the building is given over to fabric and clothing. Look for cotton scarves and long skirts in Cambodian styles, as well as shoes, hats and travel bags in more modern designs.

For souvenirs, try the jewellery and handicraft stalls, where gold, silver and handmade pieces are sold. A separate section covers household items, from cooking pots to handmade brooms.

Traditional medicine corner

One area is devoted to traditional Khmer remedies: roots, dried herbs and natural oils. Local massage services can often be found in the same part of the market. It is a good place to see practices that people here still use.

Timing and practical tips

Stalls start opening at about 6:00 AM, and the early hours are the busiest, with people buying for home kitchens and restaurants. The market is much quieter by afternoon, and most vendors begin closing around 5:00 PM.

• Footwear: wear comfortable shoes, as floors can be wet near the fish and meat sections.
• Cash: bring small notes. Vendors generally prefer Cambodian riel or small US dollar bills.
• Manner: a smile and polite approach tend to help when you are asking about prices.
• Language: it is a friendly setting to try a few words of Khmer.