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Getting crabs in Cambodia

April 27, 2019 | Michael Turtle | 14 Comments

DESTINATION EXPERIENCE

Kep, Cambodia

I once, in my younger backpacking days, got crabs from a hostel bed in Malaysia. They weren’t the kind I wanted. They were the kind that required a trip to the chemist to get a pharmaceutical-grade shampoo.

Needless to say, me and crabs in Asia have a bad relationship.

So it was refreshing, here in the Cambodian seaside town of Kep, to find the kind of crabs you want to get.

Kep is famous for the delicious crustaceans and the best place in town to find them is at the Crab Markets along the shoreline.

kep beach, cambodia, kep, crabs, kampot pepper, beaches in cambodia

kep beach, cambodia, kep, crabs, kampot pepper, beaches in cambodia

Every morning boats arrive from fishing expeditions in the nearby waters and islands off the coast. Their hauls are offloaded at the market and within hours find their way onto the plates of diners.

My lunch one day is a pile of fresh juicy crabs cooked with the green pepper corns, which this region is also famous for (although it’s called ‘Kampot pepper’ for the nearby town of Kampot where many of the farms have bases).

And for just 3 or 4 dollars, the food is a bargain.

kep beach, cambodia, kep, crabs, kampot pepper, beaches in cambodia

Kep itself is a nice place to stop for a couple of days. The beach is not the best you’ll find along the southern coast of the country but it seems popular with Cambodians on the weekend. For foreign visitors, I would recommend a tour like this one, where a local to show you around.

kep beach, cambodia, kep, crabs, kampot pepper, beaches in cambodia

kep beach, cambodia, kep, crabs, kampot pepper, beaches in cambodia

The vendors with food, drink, deckchairs and inflatable toys aren’t so interested in me. They’ve got their eyes set on the local families who are arriving at the beach with cars overflowing with children and holiday supplies.

There are quite a few guesthouses and hotels here but they’re decentralised so there’s no hub of town, as such. Life in Kep is laidback and, like the structure of the town, is based around the beach rather than efficiency or practicality.

kep beach, cambodia, kep, crabs, kampot pepper, beaches in cambodia

A walk around the mountain that overlooks Kep gives you a view out to the ocean on one side and the green fields on the other. It takes longer to walk around the mountain than around the town but it gives you the better perspective of place that only height can provide.

I sense that there’s actually quite a bit to do in Kep. If you’re interested in find out more, I would suggest taking this local tour.

kep beach, cambodia, kep, crabs, kampot pepper, beaches in cambodia

kep beach, cambodia, kep, crabs, kampot pepper, beaches in cambodia

You realise from the mountain that, although it’s a pleasant part of the country, there’s much more to explore. I can see out in the water an island known as Rabbit Island. That’s tomorrow’s destination.

Where should you stay in Kep?

For one of the cheapest places in town, try the Khmer House Hostel.
For something budget but with a nice pool, Botanica Guesthouse is a good option..
For beautiful accommodation with a splash of luxury, you should try Raingsey Bungalow.
And if you want to splurge for somewhere really nice, have a look at Cominsia Lodge.

Cambodia Travel Guide

WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT CAMBODIA?

See my Cambodia Travel Guide

To help you plan your Cambodia travel:

  • Is Cambodia safe for travellers?
  • The perfect one day itinerary for Angkor from Siem Reap
  • How to have the ultimate jungle temple experience
  • The World Heritage Site that two countries are fighting over!
  • The best things to see around Battambang
  • What to expect at Phnom Penh’s Killing Fields
  • The gruesome side of ‘Genocide Tourism’ in Cambodia
  • Escape from it all on Rabbit Island
  • Staying in a local village with a community ecotourism project
  • Where you can eat tarantula (urgh!)

Let someone else do the work for you:

You may also want to consider taking a tour of Cambodia, rather than organising everything on your own. It’s also a nice way to have company if you are travelling solo.

I am a ‘Wanderer’ with G Adventures and they have great tours of Cambodia.

You could consider:

  • Cambodia Experience (9 days)
  • Essential Vietnam & Cambodia (17 days
  • National Geographic Journey: Discover Southeast Asia (18 days)

When I travel internationally, I always get insurance. It’s not worth the risk, in case there’s a medical emergency or another serious incident. I recommend you should use World Nomads for your trip.

Reader Interactions

    Comments Cancel reply

  1. Best Pepper |

    March 11, 2013 at 3:35 am

    Reply

    Crabs with Kampot pepper is really delicious!

    • Michael Turtle |

      March 26, 2013 at 3:19 am

      Reply

      I know – I’ve never had pepper that good. Yum!

  2. Maria |

    March 11, 2013 at 3:48 am

    Reply

    Oh soooo Good! Khmer crabs with Kampot Pepper corns. YUM!!!

    If you’re still in the area, check out the salt fields

    • Michael Turtle |

      March 26, 2013 at 3:20 am

      Reply

      I missed the salt fields, sadly. A good excuse to go back sometime. Although the crabs with pepper would be enough for me to return too!! 🙂

  3. Erica |

    March 11, 2013 at 8:44 am

    Reply

    Shaun says, “Suuuuuuuuuuuuure.” about your admission.

    That is all.

    • Michael Turtle |

      March 26, 2013 at 3:22 am

      Reply

      Ha ha ha. Tell Shaun I’m telling the truth! I promise! 🙂

  4. T.J. & Charlotte |

    March 11, 2013 at 8:53 am

    Reply

    lol at your story. Anyways, the fresh seafood looks DELICIOUS!

    • Michael Turtle |

      March 26, 2013 at 3:22 am

      Reply

      Yes, the seafood is delicious in Kep. The other crabs… well, it’s good to be able to laugh about it.

  5. Jennifer |

    March 12, 2013 at 2:30 am

    Reply

    I love crab – the kind you eat. 😉

    • Michael Turtle |

      March 26, 2013 at 3:26 am

      Reply

      It’s so delicious… and you have to work for it!

  6. Laurence |

    March 12, 2013 at 3:31 am

    Reply

    “From a hostel bed”. mm hmm.

    • Michael Turtle |

      March 26, 2013 at 3:29 am

      Reply

      Why does nobody believe me?!

  7. D.J. - The World of Deej |

    March 14, 2013 at 12:20 pm

    Reply

    Now that’s my kind of day…

    • Michael Turtle |

      March 26, 2013 at 3:44 am

      Reply

      I assume you’re talking about eating the crabs and not catching them? 🙂

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This is the website of travel writer, Michael Turtle. After working in broadcast journalism for a decade in Australia, Michael left Sydney to travel the world indefinitely and write about the places, people and experiences he discovers. This isn't a diary - these are real stories from the world.

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