Key Takeaways:
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Cambodia shopping is a great experience for travellers looking for meaningful and locally made products.
If you’re wondering what to shop in Cambodia, the country offers a range of spices, handmade silk, gourmet chocolates, and unique jewellery. Many of these products are made using traditional methods and locally sourced ingredients.
Shopping in cities like Siem Reap and Phnom Penh is effortless, with day and night markets offering everything from locally handcrafted souvenirs to tasty street food.
Buying at least one of the products in this list means you are paying for high-quality products which are sourced and made in Cambodia!
Let’s explore the best shopping finds Cambodia has to offer!
What to Shop for in Cambodia?
Cambodia, as a country, has different products that they’re proud to call their own. Most of the edible products are grown under the ideal climate of Cambodia. It’s an experience to get your hands on these products while travelling.
1. Kampot Pepper
This pepper is super special, as it is recognized with a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status. Today, Kampot pepper is one of Cambodia’s most prized exports and is used by world-renowned chefs.
Grown only in the Cambodian province of ‘Kampot’, this pepper demands the perfect weather to nurture.
Kampot peppers are available in four different colours, each with its own acquired taste.
- Green – Zesty
- Black – Spicy
- Red – Slightly Sweet and Savoury
- White – Mild flavour
The red pepper, especially, is known as the “most aromatic pepper in the world” according to Pepperfield.
Pro Tip: You can find both ordinary peppers and Kampot peppers in the markets of Cambodia. However, some vendors might disguise the ordinary ones as Kampot.
The best way to identify the Kampot Peppers is to look at the ‘Kampot Pepper Promotion Association (KPPA)’ logo.
Price: (approx.)
- Markets – $15 – $40/kg (1349 INR – 3598 INR)
- Online globally – $100+/Kg (8996 INR)
Note: White and red Kampot peppers are more expensive than black ones.
2. Kampot Salt
Kampot-Kep sea salt is cultivated in the same region with the help of around 400 local families! This salt is said to have more than 80 minerals that are great for improving bone health, digestive functions and more! Also, it pairs amazingly with Khmer soups or fresh seafood.
You can also visit in person to check out how this salt is cultivated in the traditional Cambodian way in Kampot.
Pro Tip: Salt cultivation happens only from January to April. The seawater is left to evaporate for the rest of the year; in that case, you won’t find people working in the field.
Prices: (approx.)
- Refined: $2.50/500g (225 INR)
- Flake: $7.50/100g (675 INR)
- Premium “Fleur de Sel”: $6/100g (540 INR)
3. Jewellery Made Out of War Bullets
Cambodian artisans turn bullet casings from AK-47s and M-16s collected from shooting ranges and training grounds into unique handmade jewellery.
These pieces connect Cambodia’s history with Khmer craftsmanship, creating rings, pendants, and earrings.
You can find these ethical creations at Angkor Bullet Jewellery in Phnom Penh or Ammo Jewellery in Siem Reap. Ammo Jewellery even offers workshops where you can create your own piece.
4. Battambang Blaze Hot Sauce
If you are a person who loves spicy food, but nothing is spicy enough? You definitely need to try the Battambang Blaze!
They brand themselves as a “hot sauce made with locally sourced Cambodian ingredients, made in small batches to get the balanced taste”.
Made with two major Cambodian ingredients, Kampot pepper and Kampong palm sugar, along with locally grown garlic, chillies, and onions.
The taste of the Battambang Blaze is quite different. You will taste the sweetness of the palm sugar first, then transition to the tanginess of the garlic, until the green chillies hit you!
They have two variants of this sauce – ‘Original’ and ‘Extra Spicy’.
The brand says that Battambang Blaze is not for the faint of heart.
Consume with caution!
Price: (approx.)
- 350 ml glass bottles – 447 INR
- 1 litre plastic bottles – 1074 INR
5. Seeker’s Spirit
Have a mini bar at home? This spirit deserves a space in there if you like to add unique alcohol to your collection.
Phnom Penh’s award-winning spirit house is ‘Seekers’, creating premium gins and vodkas with different variants and alcohol percentages.
They claim that the ingredients for their spirit are taken from across Southeast Asian countries like Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos and Thailand. And they have named the flavours “Flavours of Mekong”.
Types of liqueur flavours include
- Dry Gin
- Orange Liqueur
- Coffee liqueur
- Lychee martini
- Pepper martini
- And more!
Their alcohol percentages vary from 17.5 to 41.3 ABV.
Tip: While buying this brand, make sure the ‘K’ of ‘Seekers’ is mirrored/reversed on the bottles to find the authentic one.
Price Range:Around 2800 INR (approx.)
6. WAT Chocolate
Cambodia’s first locally made, bean-to-bar chocolate. They are vegan, gluten-free, and bursts with Khmer terroir.
The beans are grown under the perfect conditions in the mountains of Mondulkiri, Cambodia. Then the beans are sent to the chocolate factory in Siem Reap, where factory tours are conducted.
They also have a shop in Phnom Penh, known as the “Temple of Cacao”. You can have a pit stop to get some of these gourmet chocolates back home!
Different flavors of chilli, peanut, cashew, and pepper are available with cocoa percentages of 49%, 46%, 65%, 70%, & 75%.
Fancy gourmet restaurant chefs use WAT chocolates to prepare an amazing course of desserts. You can find these desserts in restaurants like Templation and Cuisine Wat Damnak in Siem Reap.
Price Range: One Bar – 269 to 538 INR (approx.)
7. Cambodian Silk
Silk made from Cambodian silkworms is special due to the yellow silkworms, found only in a few countries. These yellow worms naturally produce golden silk and don’t need artificial dyes.
Other bright hues are derived from eco-friendly natural sources like plants, roots, insects and more, making them eco-friendly. And the fact that they are entirely handwoven, making them extremely sheen and soft.
Places to get authentic Cambodian silk are Artisans Angkor in Siem Reap, Lotus Silk Farm just outside SR and Silk Island in Phnom Penh.
Price: (approx.) Handwoven Silk Scarf: Around $40 – $400 (3,604 INR – 36,042 INR)
Note: Do not trust any hawkers or tuk-tuk drivers offering to take you to get authentic silk. Most of these are straight-up scams, disguising fake silks as real ones.
Cambodian Shopping Markets
Cambodia, as a tourist destination, has numerous shopping corners across Siem Reap and Phnom Penh. However, if you want a one-stop shopping experience, then these three markets will be the go-to!
1. Siem Reap Night Market
It’s also called the art centre because the market has a collection of paintings, stone-carved statues, and other artistic items.
As you enter, you’ll come across the Mekong River, which needs to be crossed by a Khmer-style bridge decorated with neon lights; perfect spot for photos.
You can find jewellery, textiles, souvenirs, and even massage corners. The key highlight of this market is the insect snacks, ranging from snacks to scorpions to other bugs.
But don’t worry, other options like fried rice, mango salads, and Khmer-style soup are also available.
Timings: 4 pm to 11 pm (Closed on Sundays)
2. Phnom Penh Central Market
The Central Market is a one-stop spot to find almost whatever you might need. Built in 1937, this iconic circular building features a large dome and four wings stretching out in different directions.
Inside the market, you’ll find electronics, fresh food, flowers, vegetables, and religious artifacts. The central area beneath the tall dome is mainly for jewellery, gemstones, and watches.
Shops are spread across the four wings and even outside the building. Wet sections like meat and seafood are kept separate from dry sections such as electronics.
One of the biggest attractions for visitors is the exotic street food, where you’ll find dishes like fried tarantulas, frog meat, crickets, and more.
Note: Avoid taking dirty or torn notes from the vendors. People in Cambodia will accept only clean USD notes. Slightly torn Cambodian Riel won’t be a problem.
Timings: 7:00 am to 6:00 pm
3. Made in Cambodia Market, Siem Reap
A compact market that sells truly artistic items handmade by disabled people of Cambodia.
You can find unique and cool things like paintings, postcards, crochet items, jewellery made of clay and plant seeds, crockery, and more!
The Made in Cambodia market is on the expensive side, but it is worth it, as most of the money is going to the disabled people and other victims of landmines.
Tip: The Made in Cambodia market hosts live traditional dance and music from 6 to 7 pm on Friday and Saturday evenings!
Note: Unlike other markets, bargaining is not allowed here. Everything is fixed price, so avoid haggling.
Timings: 12:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Conclusion
Buying souvenirs in Cambodia is not just about taking some items back home with you. It is about learning the rich culture, stories, and traditions that go behind each product.
Let’s support the locals by helping them stay in business.
Whenever you are ready to pack your bags for Cambodia, Dimaak Tours is available to help you out with any queries! So, don’t hesitate to ping us!
FAQs on Cambodia Shopping
1. Is stuff in Cambodia cheap?
Getting cheap things to buy in Cambodia depends on the place and the products you buy. But as Indians, Cambodian things are relatively cheaper than buying things in the US and the UK. Head to the markets of the country to buy cheaper items.
2. What are some good souvenirs to buy in Cambodia?
Kampot pepper, Kampot salt, Jewellery made of war remains, Battambang Blaze hot sauce, Cambodian liqueur, Cambodian silk products and chocolates are some good and unique souvenirs to buy in Cambodia.
