Kep Crab Market — Local services in Kep

I feel that I need to leave a review as I have seen many bad remarks in terms of how touristy and expensive it is.

First of the journey from Kampot by scooter is a bit adventurous as the road it partially not paved. Once you are close Kep it is a very good road.

The market is smaller as I imagined it and of course there are tourists (yourself would not be reading this if it were otherwise) but also many local people. It’s quite tight to walk through but very interesting. I felt completely safe and was never concerned about pick pockets (read this in other reviews.

The prices to me seem fair and transparent: 1kg crab is 10$ and since this is Cambodia you are expected to haggle (of course this is a price per KG as you are on a market). You can choose your crabs and any other seafood you’d like, and then negotiate. the merchants are connected to a cook and you can have it cooked (fried or steamed) and eat it right there. Cooking (2$) and rice are extra (0.25$). They serve it with a super nice sauce and of course fresh Kampot pepper.

I ended up with 8$ for everything which I felt completely fair. I could have haggled more to reduce the price even more - for me personally however I felt ok and I also want the locals there to make a living.

I really enjoyed not only the food but also the experience. The crabs are not huge but still have a fair amount of meat. I do recommend mixing your crab with other seafood.

I can absolute recommend going there if you are up for an experience. If you are on a super tight budget and feel it’s too expensive...

Kep crab market is an institution. If you find yourself in southern Cambodia, you must try Kep's infamous crab market. If you're interested in how the Khmer enjoys their weekend holidays, this is the place. It's all about fresh seafood and you'll find yourself enjoying the best blue crabs, and I mean THE best blue crabs (dare I say even better than Chesapeake Bay blue crabs). Plainly steamed so you can taste the sweetness of the crabs. Dipping sauce? No need. Just taste the freshness from the ocean. Go there early before 9AM for best selection. Price per KG is based on crabs size; categories 1, 2, and 3. Size 1 being the biggest, commands higher price. They have other seafood besides crabs. Walk thru the tented area and you'll find counless vendors. Agree on the price. They will ask if you want it packed or cooked. If the latter, they can steam or stir fried with the infamous Kampot peppercorn sauce. Once cooked, you can eat that piping hot fresh seafood at any available tables, but it is required that you buy a drink, which is less than $1. Or take your freshly cooked seafood and walk or drive towards the beach area along the coast, and you can rent a mat, hammock, chair, or shack for the day. It's the Khmer weekend seafood fest experience. After the delicious meal, you can take a dip in the ocean or a lazy nap in a hammock, or take a stroll along Kep coast. It's an institution for...

It is great if you know what to expect: crab, and lots of it. It is quite overwhelming - the smell, the heat - but if you don’t mind that, you’ll be rewarded. The crabs are taken from their traps in the sea - alive - and you can select them. Make sure to bargain, as this is a market place so they’ll make up a price on the spot fitting to your appearance (they assume you’ll have more money if you’re European or American). I ended up paying $9 for 3 medium sized crabs and it was still too much probably, but it was delicious so who’s complaining. Do make sure to “test” the crabs by gently pushing their bellies. The fatter the crab, the more meat it has inside. After you’ve chosen your crab, you can bring them to a local with a big pan who can boil it for you for a small fee (ca 2000 riel). You can also buy some additional foodstuffs such as rice, chili sauce, veggies and perhaps some squid. If you order a bottle of water from one of the food stalls (3000 riel for a large bottle), you can sit at their tables. Locals will be more than willing to help you open up the crab. All in all well worth a visit with delicious crab as...