Marché russe (Phsar Toul Tom Poung)

The Russian Market (Phsar Toul Tom Poung) is a vast covered bazaar in southern Phnom Penh, famous for its eclectic shopping, local food scene, and narrow, warm alleys. Unlike the Art Deco Central Market in the city centre, it’s a zinc-roofed labyrinth where you can find almost anything — the nickname dates back to the 1980s when Soviet expatriates and aid workers shopped here.

Shopping

Export clothing & factory leftovers: Cambodia manufactures for major brands; you can hunt for factory surplus (Nike, Zara, Under Armour, etc.). Souvenirs & crafts: Khmer silk, wooden sculptures, Buddha statues, Kampot pepper, silverware. Motorbike & hardware: an entire area dedicated to motorbike parts, tools, and electronics.

Central food court

At the heart of the market: a wet market and legendary street food alley. On plastic stools, try nom banh chok, iced coffee with condensed milk, and bai sach chrouk (grilled pork with rice). Anthony Bourdain filmed an episode of No Reservations here, praising the richness of local flavours.

Address: Street 444, Tuol Tom Poung 1 (Chamkarmon). Hours: Daily 6am–5pm (clothing and souvenir stalls generally ready by 8:30am). Morning visits are recommended — the heat under the metal can be intense. Bargaining is expected for clothing, souvenirs, and electronics, with courtesy.