Local Markets
From the famous Kuy Teav at dawn to evening street food — Kampong Thom's markets are essential eating
Kampong Thom's markets are not tourist attractions — they are working daily markets where the province feeds itself. That is exactly what makes them worth visiting. The smells, sounds, and textures are unfiltered: fresh river fish laid on bamboo trays, palm sugar being cut from blocks, rice noodles pulled from steaming pots at 6 AM.
How Kampong Thom Eats
The central Psar Kampong Thom (Kampong Thom Market) is the province's main hub, running every day from before dawn until mid-morning. It is a wet market in the traditional Cambodian sense: fish from the Stung Sen and Tonle Sap, vegetables from surrounding villages, and a cooked food section that serves as the town's communal breakfast table.
The most important dish to eat here is Kuy Teav — a rice noodle soup served with pork or beef broth, fresh herbs, lime, and chilli. Kampong Thom's version is considered among the best in Cambodia. Arrive before 8 AM, find a plastic stool at a congested table, and order with one finger: the vendor will understand.
By late afternoon, the market character shifts. The fresh produce vendors pack up and are replaced by street food carts selling grilled corn, fried bananas, sugarcane juice, and iced Cambodian desserts. The evening market near the riverside runs until 9–10 PM and is the best place to eat dinner on a budget.
What to Try
Kuy Teav
Rice noodle soup — Kampong Thom's signature breakfast. Pork or beef broth, bean sprouts, fresh herbs, and a squeeze of lime. Best before 8 AM at the central market.
Fresh River Fish
The Stung Sen and Tonle Sap supply the market with fresh fish daily. Grilled, steamed in banana leaf, or made into fish amok — the freshness here is exceptional.
Palm Sugar Products
Kampong Thom is known for its sugar palms. Look for fresh palm sugar blocks, palm wine (tuk tnaot), and palm syrup — sold by villagers who climb the trees at dawn to collect the sap.
Evening Street Food
After 5 PM the riverside fills with carts selling grilled skewers, fried noodles, papaya salad, and fresh coconuts. Order by pointing; most dishes cost under $2.
Market Guide
Join a Morning Market Walk
Our local guides offer early morning market walks that include breakfast, introductions to vendors, and a tasting of Kampong Thom's essential dishes. The best way to start a day in the province.
Book a Market Tour →Photo Gallery
Market Life in Pictures
6 photos — click to enlarge
Location & Directions
Find Kampong Thom Market
GPS Coordinates
12.7121°N, 104.8870°E
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