Travel Report: Psar Leu Market, Siem Reap.

Psar Leu Market.

March 2020.

Another Asian city, another colourful, frantic market for the Leighton Travels archives. Siem Reap has a ripe market scene, with most people heading for the Old Market in the heart of town near Pub Street. But if you wanna strip back all the hassle from vendors and their overpriced goods, take a three kilometre tuk-tuk ride out to the much more authentic Psar Leu Market.

This sprawling complex offers a vast range of goods at dirt cheap prices. Furthermore, the locals won’t be on your back every step of the way. Don’t worry, Psar Leu still has that gritty edge, with dirt track paths between the stalls and motorbikes weaving between pedestrians, cattle and piles of strewn garbage. Ahhh, Cambodia.

Psar Leu Market, Siem Reap.

The fruit and veg here is among the cheapest in town. Consequently, this is where Siem Reap’s shrewd expats come to stock up on essentials without having to pay inflated supermarket prices.

Psar Leu Market, Siem Reap.

Psar Leu Market, Siem Reap.

You can get pretty much any kind of meat you’d want too, along with a whole host of stuff you’d never want.

Severed pig’s head, anyone?

Lunch anyone?

The vendors at Psar Leu generally don’t speak English. Hence you might want to come with a Cambodian friend or have a translation app handy. Failing that, it’s time to bring out some award-winning hand gestures.

Psar Leu Market, Siem Reap.

Psar Leu also has a sizeable clothing section, with tailored suits and mountain upon mountain of shoes. In fact, this is where I picked up an amazing $5 pair of leather sandals. They ended up lasting me two years on the road!

What to See & Do, Siem Reap.

Home of the amazing $5 sandals.

At some point you’ll come across rows and rows of jewellery stalls. A truly unlikely setting, one would imagine, for picking up that all-important engagement ring. Similarly strange, there are a number of currency exchange stalls here, though I’ve never actually used their services.

Nothing says “bling” like Psar Leu Market.

Psar Leu is located on National Road Six and opens daily from sunrise to sunset. A return tuk-tuk from the centre of town shouldn’t set you back more than $4. Bear in mind that although you can pay for goods with US Dollars, you’ll be getting your change in Cambodian Riels.

Psar Leu Market, Siem Reap.

For more on Psar Leu, have a read of this cool article from travelfish.

Like this? Check out more of my travel reports from around Siem Reap.

Or maybe delve further afield with my articles from across Cambodia.

I’ve been living, working and traveling all over the world since 2001. So why not check out my huge library of travel reports from over 30 countries.