We Got Crabs in Cambodia (Kep Crab Market)
If you’re a fan of shellfish, particularly crab, Kep - a coastal town in Cambodia known for its fresh seafood - is THE place to be. Specifically, the crab market is where it’s at. The crab market in Kep is a bustling, vibrant, (and fairly pungent) place where visitors can buy freshly caught crabs and other seafood, and have them cooked right on the spot.
The Kep crab market is located on the waterfront, near the Kep Beach. It's a busy place with many vendors selling fresh seafood, including blue crabs, which are a specialty in the area. The blue crabs are caught in the nearby waters, and are known for their sweet, succulent meat.
At the market, you can choose from a variety of live crabs, which are kept in tanks filled with seawater. The vendors will help you select the best crabs, and will weigh them to determine the price. We were provided a few options, 1kg of the smaller blue crabs for $10 USD and 1kg of the medium sized crabs for $15 USD. Once you've made your purchase, you can take your crabs to one of the many restaurants in the area, where they'll be cooked and served to you.
Or, they can cook up your crab right there in the market, on the spot, for another $1-2 USD depending on the style. There are several ways to cook the crabs, including grilling, steaming, and boiling. The most popular method is to stir-fry/steam the crabs with a variety of local herbs and spices, which infuses the meat with a delicious flavor. We decided to try this and asked to cook up our kilo of crabs in the stir-fried Kampot pepper style. For another $1, we added steamed rice as an accompaniment as well.
With just $13, we had the most amazing crab meal I’ve experienced in my life! The local Kampot pepper, grown in the surrounding fields was such a simple yet powerful ingredient that provided a blast of spicy flavor.
In addition to blue crabs, the Kep crab market also offers other types of seafood, such as shrimp, squid, and fish. Visitors can also enjoy other local delicacies, such as fresh fruit, coconut water, and traditional Khmer snacks.
If you love seafood, or just want to experience the vibe of a local market, the Kep crab market is a must-visit spot! If you are looking for a slightly more hygienic and up-scale experience, the many seafood restaurants next to the market is also a great option. We tried the Holy Crab and it was affordable and offered many variations of crab dishes, including deep fried crab with garlic chips and crab amok. The view of the surrounding seaside also can’t be beat!
