Kep Crab Market in Kampot and Kep

Part of the Kampot and Kep travel guide — see every topic in All Kampot and Kep Guides.

Kep is a small, green seaside town about 25 km east of Kampot. It is famous for one thing above all: crab. At the crab market, women pull baskets of live crabs from the sea and sell them straight to customers. Stalls nearby cook the crab while you wait, often with fresh green Kampot pepper. A row of wooden restaurants faces the water. This guide explains how the market works, what to eat, and how to plan a visit.

How the market works

The crab market sits on the seafront, a short ride from Kep beach. Crabs are kept alive in bamboo baskets in the shallow water just off the shore. When a buyer arrives, a seller wades out, lifts a basket and brings the crabs to the scale. Crab is sold by weight, and the price depends on size and season. Next to the crab sellers you find stalls with fish, squid, prawns and shellfish. You can buy raw seafood and take it to a stall to be cooked for a small fee. Or you can simply order cooked food from a stall or restaurant.

Crab with green pepper

The famous local dish is crab fried with green Kampot pepper. Whole bunches of fresh green peppercorns go into the pan with garlic and a light sauce. The pepper is mild and fragrant, not too hot. The crab here is mostly the blue swimmer crab, which is sweet and fairly small. Expect to use your hands, and ask for a cracker if needed. Other popular dishes include grilled squid, prawns, and fish grilled with spices. Many people eat it with rice, fresh lime and a cold drink. Eating at the market is simple and messy, so bring tissues.

Seaside restaurants

Behind the market there is a row of restaurants on wooden decks over the water. Most have simple menus with crab, prawns, fish and rice dishes. They are more comfortable than the market stalls, with chairs, shade and a view of the sea. In the evening, many people come for sunset dinners. Prices are higher than at the stalls, but still fair. Look at the menu before you sit down, and check whether prices are per plate or per kilogram. If you want the freshest crab, go earlier in the day, when the boats and baskets have just come in.

Kep beach and the national park

After lunch, there is more to see in Kep. Kep beach is a short curve of sand with shady trees and a seaside walkway. It is a calm place for a swim on quiet days. Behind the town, Kep National Park covers a forest hill. A walking loop of about 8 km follows a dirt road around the hill, with viewpoints over the sea and the islands. The walk takes about 2 to 3 hours. Go early in the morning or late in the afternoon, when it is cooler. There is a small entry fee at the park gate.

Planning a visit

Many people visit Kep as a day trip from Kampot. The drive takes about 30 to 45 minutes by tuk-tuk, car or motorbike. Some tours from Kampot combine Kep with the pepper farms or Rabbit Island. You can also stay in Kep. The town has small resorts and guesthouses in green gardens, many with sea views. Kep is very quiet at night, so most people come for nature and food, not nightlife. Lunch at the market is the busiest time, especially at weekends and on holidays. Weekdays are calmer.

Kep Crab Market at a glance

More in Kampot & Kep

All 5 Kampot & Kep guides·Cambodia tourist maps

Featured Videos