ផ្សារចាស់ភ្នំពេញ Old Market Phnom Penh

The Old Market (in Khmer called Psah Chas) is an open air market located at the south end of the Old French Quarter or just one block up from the riverside. The market has been located here since French colonial times. This is probably the reason for the name – The Old Market. The market is open from early morning till late night and is worth visiting for an authentic Cambodian experience. The Old Market is aimed at locals and therefore safety and hygiene standards are not up to western level yet. On the south side of the Old Market, Phnom Penh are some jewelry stalls, money changers (exchange rate can be negotiated) and fruit stalls. The fruits are fresh and can be enjoyed. There are some exotic fruits there for the adventurous to try such as: Durians (the king of fruits in Southeast Asia), Papayas, Lychees, Dragonfruits, Mangosteen (a must try), Passion fruit, Jackfruit and many more! In all honesty, there are more exotic fruits in Cambodia than any other S.E. Asian country we have visited and the further you get away from Phnom Penh, the more unusual fruits you find as part of local diet. Many of them do not have western names, so we can’t even list them for you!

On the north side of the Old Market Phnom Penh there are food stalls where locals buy their groceries for cooking at home. You can buy many things there including: Fish, Crabs, Shrimp, Squid, Beef, Pork, Chicken, Salads, Veggies and much more. For animal lovers not a place to go because the seafood is still alive and you could see a Chicken being slaughtered right in front of your eyes.

The corridors on the inside of the Old Market are very narrow and for a tall person it is advisable to watch out for overhead obstacles and duck them. Once you have managed the narrow corridors and the dodging of other visitors (which is part of the experience) you find plenty of stalls selling all kinds of goods. In the core area are also some small restaurants with local foods. We ate there a couple of times without having stomach issues, although we do recommend you to be careful eating there.

While you wander around in the inside you will also spot barbers, beauty and massage “salons” where Cambodian women get treated at affordable prices.

What to buy at the Old Market

If you are looking for classic Cambodian souvenirs then you will be disappointed. The Old Market offers mainly: Clothes (for Women, Children and Men), Textiles, Scarves, House wares, Toiletries, Jewelry, Cosmetics, Shoes, School supplies and Repair parts for motorbikes. As always at Phnom Penh Markets, don’t be shy to show your bargaining skills as vendors always start with a high price.