Entertainment
A Night Out on the River: Guide to Phnom Penh's Night Market
By Kampuchea Daily · 22 September 2026 · 8 views1 share
Phnom Penh's riverside night market, known locally as Phsar Reatrey, is one of the capital's most popular evening outings for locals and visitors alike. It stretches along Sisowath Quay beside the Tonle Sap River in the centre of the city.
Getting there
The market has no single front gate. Most tuk-tuk drivers know it simply as the riverside night market. A convenient drop-off point is where Street 106 or Street 108 meets the riverside road, according to the market's visitor guide. Stalls open from late afternoon and the market starts winding down around 11 pm. There is no entry fee.
What to eat
Food is the main draw. Stalls sell:
grilled meats and seafood skewers;
noodle dishes and spring rolls;
sweets and fresh fruit juices;
for the adventurous, fried insects.
The market's signature is its open-air mat dining. The central plaza is laid with woven reed mats, and families and friends slip off their shoes, sit cross-legged and share food bought from the surrounding stalls.
What to buy
Shopping stalls sell inexpensive clothing, silk scarves, kramas (the traditional Khmer checked scarf), sarongs, jewellery, wood carvings, Khmer artwork and home décor. Bargaining is expected for anything that isn't food, the Nomads travel guide notes.
Free entertainment
Keep an eye on the main stage in the centre of the market. It regularly hosts free performances of traditional Khmer music and dance, as well as occasional modern acts.
Tips for visitors
Arrive around sunset, when it is cooler and the stalls are fully set up.
Bring small banknotes; they make bargaining and paying for food easier.
Allow one to two hours to browse and eat.
Ask vendors before photographing them or their stalls.
Keep valuables secure, as the market gets crowded.