Backpacking Southern Cambodia 17/41: Kampot Market - Large and Affordable Oysters, Abundant Seafood Here

Backpacking Southern Cambodia 17/41: Kampot Market - Large and Affordable Oysters, Abundant Seafood Here

When talking about southern Cambodia, many might think of towns with few tourists. But if you are someone who enjoys traveling following mr.hotsia's footsteps, then Kampot Province is one destination I strongly recommend. Here, there is a fresh seafood market that impressed me greatly, especially Kampot Market, a morning market full of fresh seafood and huge oysters, priced unbelievably cheap.

Once, when I had the chance to visit Kampot Province, I chose to stay in a quiet small town. However, Kampot Market was lively from early morning. I followed the scent of the sea and the bustling voices in the market, starting by browsing various stalls selling fresh seafood from the Gulf of Thailand, including shrimp, crab, fish, and especially oysters that were much larger than any I had seen in other markets.

Kampot Market is not just a seafood market; there are also stalls selling fresh vegetables, fruits, and many local Khmer dishes to try. I didn’t miss trying the dry Khmer noodles with a special recipe that has a rich flavor, one of the dishes mr.hotsia really likes (for those interested in Kampot dry noodles, I have written about it in an article).Seafood, Kampot Morning Market, Kampot Province)

The oysters here are truly fresh and much cheaper than expected. I still remember a cheerful vendor who recommended I try freshly shucked oysters with a sweet, juicy taste from the sea, eaten with spicy seafood sauce. I must say it was so delicious that I returned to eat it several times during that trip.

Besides seafood, Kampot Market also offers other local dishes where I could feel the abundance of this province. Walking around the market, you can see vendors chatting warmly with each other. Some speak Khmer, Suay, or even a bit of Northeastern Thai, which makes the atmosphere feel cozy and familiar immediately.

If you have followed me, mr.hotsia, through other articles, you probably know I like to travel slowly and carefully in local areas to truly absorb the way of life, just like when I visitedTa Kaew Provinceor stopped to try grilled beef rice porridge atSvay Rieng Provinceand Stung Treng Morning Market, which still retains its traditional charm as I described in an articleStung Treng Morning MarketThat’s it. This kind of travel made me see that Kampot is not just an ordinary coastal town but a seafood hub full of charm and the true flavors of southern Cambodia’s sea.

Traveling to Kampot Market is not difficult. If you have a chance to pass through Ta Kaew Province (TA KAEW), where I once took a bus from Phnom Penh to Ta Kaew town and stayed at Houy Meyly Guest House (read the review atTraveling Ta Kaew Province), you can easily continue by bus to Kampot. The journey is smooth even though it’s a small bus without luxury, but it allows you to experience local life genuinely.

After fully exploring Kampot Market, I, mr.hotsia, also recommend taking a stroll by the riverside or finding a cold drink like a smoothie sold in the market to cool down before tasting fresh seafood from several street stalls in this town. This feeling is hard to find elsewhere.

Finally, for those who enjoy traveling like mr.hotsia, I encourage you to visit Kampot Market yourself to experience the freshness and abundance of southern Cambodia’s seafood. And if you want a deeper experience beyond just the market, I recommend reading other articles I have written about seafood and local life in this province.

Click to watch the videoBackpacking Southern Cambodia 17/41: Kampot Market - Large and Affordable Oysters, Abundant Seafood Hereto see the real atmosphere from my trip to this market. You will realize that the freshness, deliciousness, and liveliness of Kampot Market are truly extraordinary!