Kep crab market: blue crabs and green pepper

Women haul crabs from bamboo traps in the sea, sell them by the kilo, and cook them on the spot with fresh Kampot pepper while you watch the sunset.

Area

Kep

Start from

Kep

Distance

walking distance at the market

Time needed

half a day

Best season

All year; crab is best in the cooler dry months

Difficulty

Easy

Transport

Tuk-tuk or scooter from Kampot

Tickets & rules

None

Why go

Kep’s crab market is one of the great food experiences of Cambodia. On a stretch of shore, women wade into the shallows to pull up bamboo crab traps, then carry the catch, still kicking, to a row of stalls on the beach where it is sold by the kilo.

You can buy crabs and have them cooked at a stall right there, or sit down at one of the many restaurants overlooking the water. The classic dish is crab stir-fried with green Kampot pepper; others prefer them simply steamed or grilled.

It is noisy, smoky and full of life, especially in the late afternoon, when the light turns gold over the sea and families come to eat.

The story

Kep was founded as a seaside resort by the French in 1908, and became the playground of Cambodia’s elite in the 1960s. Crabs were always part of its charm, and the crab market has been operating in some form for generations.

The crabs are mostly blue swimmer crabs, caught in the shallow bay with traps and nets. Overfishing has been a concern, and some local groups encourage releasing egg-bearing females and smaller crabs to protect the population.

The market also sells fish, squid, prawns and shellfish, as well as dried seafood and Kampot pepper. In the mornings, it is a working market for locals; in the afternoons and evenings it becomes a place to eat.

Next to the market, a large crab statue stands offshore, Kep’s best-known symbol, and a good place to watch the fishing boats come in.

Getting there

Kep is about 25 km from Kampot, around 40 minutes by tuk-tuk or scooter. The crab market is on the waterfront at the western end of town. Within Kep, distances are short, but the town is spread out, so a tuk-tuk is handy.

A suggested plan

1. 3:30 pmArrive at the crab market; watch the women bringing in the traps.
2. 4:00 pmChoose crabs at a stall and agree the price and cooking style.
3. 4:30 pmEat crab with green pepper at a market stall or seaside restaurant.
4. 5:30 pmWalk along the waterfront to the crab statue for sunset.
5. 6:30 pmReturn to Kampot or stay overnight in Kep.

Where to stay

Kep has quiet guesthouses and small resorts set in gardens on the hillside and near the beach. Staying a night or two lets you combine the crab market with the national park and Rabbit Island.

Good to know

• Prices are per kilo; confirm the weight and price before cooking.
• Go in the late afternoon for the best light and atmosphere.
• Try the crab with green pepper and a side of fried rice.
• Bring wet wipes; it is messy.