Shopping in Phnom Penh

Shopping   

The best shopping in town, for everything from souvenirs and trinkets to the obligatory kitchen sink, is at any of the large local markets. The Central Market shouldn't be missed, but the Russian Market between Streets 440 and 450 in the far south of town is where the real deal on souvenirs can be had (go by cab). It takes hard haggling to get the good deals on neat items like opium paraphernalia, carvings, and ceramics. It's all authentic-looking, even if made in China.

Shops and galleries are growing in number in the developing capital. All along Street 178, interesting little outlets are springing up and include a few affordable silk dealers like Lotus Pond, No. 57Eo Street 178 (tel. 012/833-149), and House Kravan, No. 13Eo Street 178 (tel. 012/771-936). Asasax Art Gallery, No. 192 Street 178 (tel. 023/217-795; www.asasaxart.com.kh), features unique local works. Photo Click Gallery (No. 65 Street 178) features the unique tinted, black-and-white images of longtime expat and photographer Pier Poretti.

New in town, Orient (245 Sisowath Quay; tel. 023/215-308) carries an impressive line of Chinese-style cabinetry, lacquerware, carvings, and boxes. Everything looks old (though it isn't), and they have some nice pieces. The entry door itself, a heavy old Mandarin thing, is quite impressive.

Take a stroll along Street 240, which is also developing its own cafe culture and has a few little hole-in-the-wall antiques shops and boutiques like Bliss, No. 29 Street 240 (tel. 023/215-754), which sells some unique beaded and embroidered cushions and quilts; or Le Lezard Bleu (tel. 012/767-417), which features traditional and contemporary designs and accessories.

Bazar, at 28 Sihanouk Blvd, near the Independence Monument (tel. 012/866-178), has a small but refined collection of Asian antiques and furniture.

For CDs, DVDs and cool T-shirts and hip-hop fashions, stop by The Boom Boom Room, on Street 93 in the backpacker area near Boeung Kak Lake or at their new location just across from the Golden Gate Hotel at No. 1C Street 278 (tel. 012/560-944).

For essentials and Western groceries, stop by the Lucky Market, No. 160 Sihanouk Blvd. (tel. 023/426-291), the most popular shopping center for Phnom Penh's many expats. "The Lucky" is just west of the Victory Monument traffic circle. For fresh, organic produce and fine canned goods, Veggy's is at No. 23 Street 240 (tel. 023/211-534) and carries a similar line of familiar comfort foods from back home, whether home is Arkansas, Tokyo, Paris, or Seoul.

Monument Books, No. 111 Norodom Blvd. (tel. 023/217-617), has a great selection of new books; it's a good spot to find books on the Khmer language and culture. At No. 51 Street 240, among new bistros and cafes, stop by The London Book Centre and exchange or buy new and used books. There's a good selection.

Also check out the new Sorya Department Store (tel. 023/210-018) just south of central market, which carries brand-name international goods as well as discount copies.

Phnom Penh: Boutiques, Galleries, Souvenirs and Supermarkets


Every country has a ‘first souvenir,' that one local item that every visitor seems to acquire almost immediately. In Vietnam it is the conical hat, in Thailand, the yam, in Indonesia, batik, and in Cambodia it is the krama - a uniquely checkered scarf. Very inexpensive, very Khmer and in fact very useful at keeping the tropical sun off the back of your neck. Other popular souvenirs and curios include:


Silver Boxes, often animal shaped, are popular traditional souvenirs. These pounded silver containers were once used in ceremonies and everyday life to hold betel leafs. (Betel is chewed as a mild stimulant. You may see people, particularly in rural areas, with teeth stained deep red from years of betel use.) Nowadays the boxes are made for sale as souvenirs but are nevertheless hand crafted by local artisans.


Silk in Cambodia is still hand made using traditional ikat methods and styles. The pattern is dyed into the threads before the silk is woven. The process of dying and weaving a single piece can take weeks. There is still no mechanized silk weaving in Cambodia, so all Cambodian silk is hand woven. Old silks (pre-1970) are prized for their detail and quality but new silks now match that quality. In addition to the boutiques and curio shops there are a few shops around the Russian and Central Markets dealing in new silks and several stalls inside the Russian Market selling new and old silks.


Gems are a tempting souvenir. Western Cambodia is a fertile source of colored stones, especially rubies, sapphires and emeralds, and there are plenty of gem dealers in Phnom Penh. Central Market carries an amazing display and Russian Market has its share of dealers as well. Be careful though, know something about gems and/or the seller before spending much.


Carvings and Statues are popular, distinctively Cambodian, though weighty souvenirs. Bronze busts of ‘The Leper King’ and carved wood apsaras are two of the more popular items. The quality of the carved wood varies considerably so look around before buying. High quality carved furniture, antique Chinese furniture and art deco furniture are sold at some boutiques. New furniture can also be found at a series of shops along Monivong Blvd. south of Street 466.



Where to Buy


The markets in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap town offer a very similar selection of souvenirs, though the markets are much bigger and there is greater variety of boutiques and specialty shops in Phnom Penh. The Russian Market in Phnom Penh is the best traditional market for souvenirs, textiles and CD/VCD/DVDs though Central Market has a better selection of items such as T-shirts, postcards and temple guides. The Boom Boom Room offers an excellent selection of music CDs, MP3 recording and more. Major hotels such as Cambodiana, InterContinental Phnom Penh, Le Royal and Sunway all have souvenir shops. Several little local shops sell silver, wood carvings, silks and curios. They tend to focus on more traditional souvenirs. There are a few clustered along Street 178 and Sothearos near the National Museum, and on Monivong near Phsar Thmey. Offering more contemporary as well as traditional items, the specialty boutiques and art galleries often have higher quality items and a more specialized, sometimes more sophisticated selection. Several galleries and boutiques are scattered along Street 178 and 240, many focusing on contemporary Cambodian art, fine silks and sculptures, and Euro-Asian designs and fashions.


Traditional Markets


Central Market (Psah Thmei)

This unique, art-deco building is a Phnom Penh landmark. Prior to 1935 the area was a swamp/lake that received the runoff during the rainy season. The lake was drained and the market constructed in 1935-37. Wet season flooding in the area around the market of the market is a vestige of the old lake. The entrance to the market is lined with souvenir merchants hawking everything from T-shirts and postcards to silver curios and kramas. Inside is a dazzling display of jewels and gold. Electronic goods, stationery, secondhand clothes and flowers are also in ample supply. (Phsar Thmei means ‘New Market’, but ‘Central Market’ has caught on in English.)


Russian Market (Psah Toul Tom Poung)

This market is of far less architectural interest but has a larger and more varied selection of souvenirs, curios and silks than the Central Market. Like the Central Market, it has a good selection of silver, gold and jewels, but also carries huge selection of curios, silks, carvings, etc. The Russian Market offers the largest selection of bootlegged VCDs, DVDs and CDs of all of the traditional markets. Most of the CD vendors are located on the south side near the southeast corner of the market. It’s also a good place to buy fabric for business and casual cloths to take to the tailor. Most of what the visitor might want is in the same general area on the south side but the rest of the market is well worth exploring. Food and drink stands in the middle of the market for hygienically adventurous visitors.



Specialty Shops & Boutiques

Boutiques often offer higher quality items and a more specialized, sometimes more interesting selection than the traditional markets.

Apsara Art Gallery
Art gallery/framing shop. Offering a variety of contemporary Southeast Asian art, paintings, photos. Matting and framing.
#170A, Street 450
Tel: 012-867390


Asasax Art Gallery
Art gallery. The unique works of the well-known contemporary Cambodian artist, Asasax. Galleries in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.
Visa/MC/JCB/AMEX
#192, Street 178 (near Royal Palace)
Tel: 012-363030
www.asasax.com.kh


Asia Art Gallery
Art gallery/framing shop. Variety of contemporary Southeast Asian art. Paintings, photographs, posters and postcards. Matting and framing. Construction and building repair.
#203, Street 19
Tel: 012-231891


Baskets of Cambodia
Innovative designs in basketry, women's accessories, and bamboo displays since 1996, including our signature 'tatami style’. Tours available.
#28, Street 86
Tel: 012-698752
www.basketsofcambodia.com


Bazar, art de vivre
A concise collection of high quality furniture, antiques, home textiles and lighting. Some wonderful older pieces of art as well as unique contemporary pieces.
#28, Sihanouk
mai_ioa@yahoo.com 


Bliss
Very well-regarded Street 240 boutique offering a selection of unique Eurasian fashions, silks, quilts, pillows, soft furnishing, bags and exotic homewares. Spa, massage, skin treatments, steam, sauna, plunge pool. Open 9AM-9PM.
Visa/MC/JCB/AMEX
#29, Street 240
Tel: 023-215754
bliss@online.com.kh

Couleurs d’Asie
Boutique. Asian furniture, home decor, silks and silk creations, art, curios, antiques. Exhibitions.

Visa/MC/JCB/AMEX
#19, Street 360, Phnom Penh
Tel: 012-902650
and Sofitel Royal Angkor Hotel, Siem Reap
info@couleursdasie.net

Subtyl Asia
Fashion boutique Unique collection of quality fashion accessories, silk creations and home decor. handbags, purses, luggage, belts, clothes, scarves, jewelry and more.
Hotel Cambodiana

Tel: 023-218189
subtyl@online.com.kh 

The Kite and Art Collections
Boutique Offering a range of quality Cambodian silks, jewelry, bags, clothing and very unique traditional Khmer silk kites by artist Soeung Vannara. Kites can also be made to order.
#49, Street 86 (corner of Monivong)
Tel: 016-993996
kitecollection@yahoo.com