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"Short stories and travel reports from my life adventures around the globe".

Travel Report: Psar Leu Market, Siem Reap.

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 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 Cambodia

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?

Pig's head Psar Leu Market Siem Reap Cambodia

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.

Butcher's stall Psar Leu Market Siem Reap Cambodia

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.

Shoe stall Psar Leu Market 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.

Jewellery stalls Psar Leu Market Siem Reap.

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 Cambodia.

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.

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40 Comments

  • qprgary

    Love these places especially meat and fish stalls passed by the ministry of health on the other side of the road

    July 10, 2022 - 10:57 am Reply
    • Leighton

      Ha ha right. Asian markets are so full of character and chaos. This one stands out as being particularly rough around the edges. Thanks for reading!

      July 10, 2022 - 10:58 am Reply
  • kagould17

    You can tell a lot about a place and its people by walking through their public market. This one looks like a gem, although I think I’ll pass on the severed pig’s head. Happy Sunday Leighton. Allan

    July 10, 2022 - 2:20 pm Reply
    • Leighton

      Cheers Allan, I got quite the fright when I saw that head. Hope you are having a good weekend.

      July 10, 2022 - 2:27 pm Reply
  • Memo

    Love how colorful the fruit and veggie sections always are. And usually full of good smells. I’m generally leery of the fish but the meat sections are very dependable. Especially if you want to make a good boar’s head stew. Great photos.

    July 10, 2022 - 2:49 pm Reply
    • Leighton

      Thanks for visiting Memo, Boar’s Head Stew, eek!

      July 10, 2022 - 3:35 pm Reply
  • Monkey's Tale

    Nothing like an Asian market!

    July 10, 2022 - 4:00 pm Reply
    • Leighton

      Yeah, we really miss Asian markets, it’s been nearly two years since we left and boy do we crave some Cambodian dishes.

      July 10, 2022 - 4:23 pm Reply
  • wetanddustyroads

    I enjoyed seeing the motorbikes between the walkers in the market ☺️ … please buy me another suitcase, because I might just pack in a lot of stuff from this amazing market (that does not include the pig’s head of course)!

    July 10, 2022 - 5:21 pm Reply
    • Leighton

      Yeah, plus I’d imagine that pig’s head might be tricky to get through customs. Who knows, maybe it’s still there. Thanks for dropping by for a look at Psar Leu Corna!

      July 10, 2022 - 5:24 pm Reply
  • Mike and Kellye Hefner

    I will take a raincheck on the severed pig’s head lunch. I can’t imagine going to a market (farmer’s market here) and seeing meat just lying on the ground. Seems like the flies would be terrible! I would love to shop the shoes and jewelry there, though. Thank you for another view of Cambodia through your words and lens.

    July 10, 2022 - 5:51 pm Reply
    • Leighton

      Hey Kellye, I wasn’t brave enough to try the meat at all, pig’s head or other kinds. Thanks for reading, as always, and contributing to the comment thread!

      July 10, 2022 - 10:18 pm Reply
  • WanderingCanadians

    We don’t have markets like that here in Canada! What an interesting place to visit and see all the stuff that’s for sale. I’m not sure how I’d feel about seeing that severed pig’s head though.

    July 10, 2022 - 6:02 pm Reply
    • Leighton

      These kinds of markets are not for the faint hearted, right enough. First timers in Asia might find themselves in for some serious culture shock. Thanks for reading!

      July 10, 2022 - 6:05 pm Reply
  • Little Miss Traveller

    Love Asian markets such as this one but think I’ll pass on the pigs head, thank you!

    July 10, 2022 - 9:14 pm Reply
    • Leighton

      Ha, thanks Marion. I keep waiting for someone to say they would go for the pig’s head, but I don’t think it’s going to happen. Thanks for checking out my article on Psar Leu Market!

      July 10, 2022 - 10:16 pm Reply
  • Lyssy In The City

    I am very impressed with how you can navigate the markets, I’d be completely overwhelmed! Also that pig head would’ve made me feel woozy.

    July 11, 2022 - 1:16 am Reply
    • Leighton

      Looking at this thread and I’m sensing that maybe the pig’s head is not popular! 🤔 Thanks for dropping by Lyssy.

      July 11, 2022 - 9:25 am Reply
  • Rebecca

    These outdoor markets, selling just about everything from fresh produce to hot bentos to clothing, are ubiquitous and a trademark of living in Asia. I remember walking through them on my visits to Taiwan, and it’s apparent that Cambodia has these outdoor markets, too. Everything looks very enticing from your photos (bar the pig’s head, no thanks XD). Enjoy your summer, Leighton!

    July 11, 2022 - 4:30 am Reply
    • Leighton

      Would love to go to Taiwan one day end see how their markets compare. 🇹🇼 With the way the world is shaping up something tells me I better hurry up while it’s still possible. Thanks for visiting Rebecca!

      July 11, 2022 - 9:27 am Reply
  • grandmisadventures

    I really love these colorful, energetic outdoor markets like this. I think I could wander through this market for days in a newly purchased pair of sandals and just soak it all in 🙂

    July 11, 2022 - 4:05 pm Reply
    • Leighton

      Thanks for checking out Psar Leu Market Meg, it’s a colourful, energetic and often baffling place!

      July 11, 2022 - 5:19 pm Reply
  • Stan

    What a market in so many respects. I was just determined to get through this comment without mentioning the pig’s head. ahhhh

    July 11, 2022 - 5:27 pm Reply
    • Leighton

      Ha ha, you nearly made it Stan. Thanks for reading!

      July 11, 2022 - 5:34 pm Reply
  • salsaworldtraveler

    I love this market. But don’t you think it needs a train running through it? 😄

    July 11, 2022 - 5:36 pm Reply
    • Leighton

      Ha ha someone should ask them to work on that. Less pig heads more trains please. Thanks for stopping by, John.

      July 11, 2022 - 5:37 pm Reply
      • salsaworldtraveler

        I wouldn’t miss a single one of your posts although I sometimes don’t get to them as quickly as I’d like to.

        July 13, 2022 - 4:59 am
      • Leighton

        Thanks John, much appreciated.

        July 13, 2022 - 7:59 am
  • Travels Through My Lens

    I love local markets, and this one looks particularly inviting! Thanks for sharing!

    July 11, 2022 - 7:06 pm Reply
    • Leighton

      Thanks for reading!

      July 11, 2022 - 7:31 pm Reply
  • NortheastAllie

    The markets look really neat, and it is interesting to see the variety of items that they have there as well!

    July 11, 2022 - 10:51 pm Reply
    • Leighton

      Thanks for checking it out Allie, I’m glad you liked the look of Psar Leu.

      July 11, 2022 - 11:44 pm Reply
  • decemberfourth

    I always love your posts because your pics are plenty and well taken! Plus, you visit places I have never even heard of! Stay safe!

    July 14, 2022 - 7:06 pm Reply
    • Leighton

      That’s very kind of you to say! Thanks for reading and leaving a comment.

      July 14, 2022 - 10:21 pm Reply
  • thehungrytravellers.blog

    Don’t you just love wandering through markets whilst travelling, and Asian markets are often doubly exciting. Although sometimes the smells are a bit difficult!

    July 15, 2022 - 2:41 am Reply
    • Leighton

      Yeah the smells seen to swing between the sublime and the absolutely awful. Thanks for reading!

      July 15, 2022 - 8:13 am Reply
  • rkrontheroad

    Local markets are always a draw for me as well – the colors, the variety of things for sale, the hawkers, and even the shoppers. Ugh, the pig’s head creeped me out. (I don’t even eat meat these days.)

    July 21, 2022 - 4:12 pm Reply
    • Leighton

      Yes a big thumbs up to Asian markets, a huge thumbs down to severed pig heads. Thanks for reading Ruth!

      July 21, 2022 - 4:29 pm Reply
  • Toonsarah

    I love a good market, especially one where my camera is tolerated as yours seems to have been here 🙂 You can learn so much about a country just by visiting its markets I reckon!

    July 21, 2022 - 8:51 pm Reply
    • Leighton

      Totally agree, this was one was a bit rough and ready compared to many of my favourite Asian markets. But hey, still full of local charm.

      July 21, 2022 - 8:57 pm Reply

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