PNH to Russian Market (Toul Tom Poung)

Famous covered market in the south of Phnom Penh known for bargain clothing, handicrafts, silk, and street food.

The Russian Market (Phsar Toul Tom Poung), named for the Russian expats who shopped here in the 1980s during the Vietnamese-backed government, is Phnom Penh's most popular market for visitors and bargain hunters. Under a sprawling corrugated-roof structure, hundreds of stalls sell everything from silk scarves, Khmer textiles, and silverwork to brand-name clothing samples (many produced in Cambodia's garment factories), antiques, and souvenirs.

The market's interior is a maze of narrow aisles organized roughly by product type — fabric and clothing in the central sections, woodcarvings and art near the edges, electronics and phone accessories in another quarter. The surrounding streets have developed into a vibrant food and café scene, with the Russian Market area becoming one of Phnom Penh's trendiest neighborhoods for brunch spots, craft coffee, and boutique shopping.

The food stalls inside and around the market are a highlight, serving excellent Khmer dishes at local prices. Try the nom banh chok (Khmer noodles with green curry), bai sach chrouk (pork and rice, a Cambodian breakfast staple), and fresh fruit shakes. The market is busiest in the morning and early afternoon; many vendors begin closing by 5:00 PM.