The Russian Market, is not run by Russians as the name might suggest, it simply once catered to many of them, and is referred to by locals as Psar Toul Tompung (its the market in Toul Tompung neighborhood).
The Russian Market is a midsize, all-day market where you can find a wide variety of goods including automotive parts, home improvement supplies, household furnishings, food (raw and cooked), clothes, and knickknacks. Obviously many of these things are targeted at local shoppers, but the clothing, handicrafts, DVDs, and many other products are geared towards tourists. The fact that the market caters to both locals and foreigners makes it an interesting place to both explore and shop.
The open-air market is hot, crowded, and stuffy with a faint smell of rancid meat. Particularly in the rainy season, wear closed toed shoes if you don’t feel like watching your step, lest you end up in a miniature cesspool. This is a great place to buy souvenir Angkor Beer t-shirts for 2 bucks or a small Buddha image to take home. In the area around the market there are several good cafes as well as a number of other shops selling clothing and handicrafts. Eating inside the market depends on your courage and the strength of your stomach.
Getting There
All tuk tuks and motodops know Russian Market (though often by it’s Khmer name: Psar Toul Tompung, which might help your driver not get confused with Orussei Market elsewhere in town).
Need to Know
- What is it?: A daytime marketplace that is popular with both locals and visitors
- When to Go: Early in the day when its not too hot and lower prices can be negotiated
- Nearest Town: In downtown Phnom Penh.
- Trivia: Psar Toul Tompung is called the Russian Market because of its popularity with Russian tourists back in the 1980’s.
- Opening hours: Dawn to dusk.
- Entrance fees: Free