Asian food markets are the best places to experience the culture and the people. It is here that you get to shop and eat like the locals. The local Food Market in Phnom Pehn is not aimed at tourists so you don’t find any souveniers here but what you do find is way more interesting. The market is filled with colourful fruits and vegetables, second hand clothes, fresh meat, eggs and random religious items.
The early morning rush hour makes for a confusing, dirty but lovely photogenic scene. Early morning the stalls are still stocked with eggs and fresh produce and is filled with locals doing their daily shopping. The Food market we visited is located on the river at the south end of the Old French Quarter, Old Market ( Phsar Chas), and is apparently one of the most crowded markets in the city.
Although there is not much of interest to the “tourists”, Old Market ( Phsar Chas), Phnom Penh is still a must see during a Phnom Penh tour. The whole reason for travelling is to experience the world and its customs. The best way to do this is to go off the beaten path and into the local neighbourhoods.
I read that the market is an ideal place to try some local cuisine and delicacies. There are several small food stalls offering what looks like small crickets or worms and some of the things on display I could not figure out what it was. I was a bit skeptical about trying these “delicacies” as I could not identify what they were and definitely didn’t know how they were prepared.
Greeted by the bright colours and sounds of this market was a bit overwhelming at first as it attacks the senses but it is definitely worth a visit. I cant say you get used to the smell but it gets a bit more bearable as you move past the fresh meat stalls into the fruit and vegetable section.
Where else would you find someone selling cooked crickets along with snails or some duck eggs along with meat hanging out in the open heat with flies buzzing around it? The market is filled with sights you will never see in any European cities and is an amazing experience.
Janaline's world journey 
That’s the beauty of Asian wet or open market. That’s why I love to drop in an see one in each country I visit as each are different and unique in it’s own way. =)
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I agree, and each country has something strange or exotic on offer in these markets.
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Yup. So far I have been to the ones in Vietnam, Bangkok, China, Indonesia and they are all different. =) love it !!!
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Great virtual visit Janaline! This week I also featured some of Cambodia in my post. Sadly we didn’t get to Phnom Pen, which I very much regret. Thanks for taking me there at least this way!!
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Thanks Tina. Phnom Pehn is beautiful but has such a sad history that we actually left there a bit sad and upset. Luckily our next stop was Siam Reap and Angkor Wat!!
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It is certainly not for tourists. But every country is different. In Greece, you’d find dressed rabbits with their head on hanging in the meat stall. You just have to have an open mind. And if you are looking for something sanitary and clean, this is not the place for you.
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I agree! In China I came upon frogs and even dogs they were selling in the local market, which did freak me out a bit but then again it is part of their culture and world.
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you’ve captured the life, people and wares of the market brilliantly Janaline! Fantastic photos
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Thank you!! In these markets I often came upon things I have never seen before and they taught me so much about the people and culture of Asia.
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Great pictures, very interesting! 🙂
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Thank you!! You never know what you might find in these local markets.
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I can almost here the noise and feel the smells and the bustle when looking at your pictures! Awesome!
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Thank you, that is such a lovely compliment
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Certainly is photogenic – like you I think I would struggle to eat the ‘delicacies’. Nevertheless this is an excellent photographic representation of your experience
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Thanks Rob! I love taking photos in the markets of Asia although I sometimes do shy away from trying the food.
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