Phnom Penh is a practical place to shop for souvenirs that tell you something about Cambodia’s craft traditions and foodways. Shops, markets, and museum stalls across the city sell items made by local artisans as well as packaged foods that travel well.

This guide covers souvenirs you can reasonably find throughout the city, not a single street or shop. It explains what to buy, how to judge quality, and simple packing tips so things arrive home intact.

1. Khmer silk scarf

• Why it’s worth buying: Silk weaving is a longstanding craft with regional patterns and natural dyes. A good silk scarf feels smooth, drapes well, and shows clear motif edges.
• Where to look: independent shops often carry handwoven silk pieces alongside other textiles.
• Price range: $20–$120
• How to spot a good one: Check the weave for even thread density and a soft, slightly weighty hand.
• Easy-to-pack tip: Roll the scarf and tuck it inside shoes or a soft pouch to save space.

2. Kampot pepper

• Why it’s worth buying: Kampot pepper has a clear regional reputation for balanced flavor and aroma. It’s compact, long-lasting, and very usable in home cooking.
• Where to look: markets are a common place to find sealed packets of local pepper.
• Price range: $4–$20
• How to spot a good one: Choose sealed packages with a harvest date and single-origin labeling.
• Easy-to-pack tip: Keep pepper in its original sealed bag inside a small zip-top plastic bag.

3. Lacquerware box

• Why it’s worth buying: Lacquered boxes show traditional finishing techniques and make practical containers. They come in sizes from small jewelry boxes to larger storage pieces.
• Where to look: galleries often sell lacquerware presented as craft pieces.
• Price range: $10–$60
• How to spot a good one: Look for multiple lacquer layers, smooth finish, and consistent color without obvious flaking.
• Easy-to-pack tip: Wrap lacquerware in clothing and place it center in your suitcase away from hard edges.

4. Krama (checked cotton scarf)

• Why it’s worth buying: The krama is lightweight, versatile, and a common everyday cloth in Cambodia. It’s inexpensive and useful as a scarf, bandana, or travel towel.
• Where to look: market stalls sell a wide range of krama styles and colors.
• Price range: $3–$20
• How to spot a good one: Choose tightly woven cotton with even checks and strong stitching at the edges.
• Easy-to-pack tip: Fold flat or roll; the krama compresses small and can cushion other items.

5. Roasted Cambodian coffee

• Why it’s worth buying: Small roasters sell local beans that reflect Cambodia’s recent coffee-growing regions. Fresh-roasted beans make a practical gift for coffee drinkers.
• Where to look: food halls carry packaged beans and ground coffee from local producers.
• Price range: $6–$20
• How to spot a good one: Prefer recent roast dates and sealed bags with roast level details.
• Easy-to-pack tip: Keep coffee sealed; place in checked luggage if airline rules require it.

6. Silver filigree jewelry

• Why it’s worth buying: Silver pieces reflect metalworking skills and often feature Khmer motifs or delicate detailing. They make compact keepsakes that travel easily.
• Where to look: small independent shops stock handcrafted silver and locally designed pieces.
• Price range: $20–$200
• How to spot a good one: Look for weight, clear solder joints, and any maker’s mark or purity stamp.
• Easy-to-pack tip: Store jewelry in a small padded pouch inside your carry-on.

7. Ceramic drinking cup

• Why it’s worth buying: Local potters make simple stoneware cups and bowls with regional glazes and forms. A cup is functional and shows local kiln techniques.
• Where to look: galleries display pottery alongside other design objects.
• Price range: $8–$40
• How to spot a good one: Check for even glazing, no hairline cracks, and a flat, stable base.
• Easy-to-pack tip: Wrap ceramics in clothing, and place them in the center of checked luggage.

8. Palm sugar candies or coconut sweets

• Why it’s worth buying: These sweets are small, reflect local ingredients, and give a real taste of Cambodian confectionery. Packaged candies last well if sealed.
• Where to look: open-air markets stock regional sweets in small, sealed packs.
• Price range: $2–$10
• How to spot a good one: Prefer sealed packaging with an ingredient list and production date.
• Easy-to-pack tip: Put food packets in a zip-lock bag to prevent leaks or odors.

9. Handmade linocut or woodblock prints

• Why it’s worth buying: Local artists produce prints featuring Khmer motifs or city scenes that are flat and frame-ready. They’re a low-cost art souvenir.
• Where to look: co-ops and artist stalls often sell signed prints and small editions.
• Price range: $5–$50
• How to spot a good one: Look for an artist signature, edition number, and clean, crisp printing.
• Easy-to-pack tip: Carry prints flat in a portfolio sleeve or rolled in a sturdy tube.

10. Woven rattan bag or basket

• Why it’s worth buying: Handwoven rattan items are sturdy and useful for everyday storage or market trips. They reflect local weaving techniques.
• Where to look: markets carry a range of woven goods from small baskets to larger bags.
• Price range: $10–$50
• How to spot a good one: Check for tight, even weaving and secure handles without loose strands.
• Easy-to-pack tip: Use woven bags as your shopping bag on the trip, then pack them nested with other soft items.

11. Handmade herbal soap

• Why it’s worth buying: Local soaps often use lemongrass, kaffir lime, or rice bran and are made in small batches. They’re light and useful as a personal gift.
• Where to look: independent shops stock artisanal soaps alongside other bodycare products.
• Price range: $3–$12
• How to spot a good one: Prefer soaps with ingredient lists and minimal synthetic additives.
• Easy-to-pack tip: Wrap soap in paper and place in a zip bag to avoid residue on clothes.

12. Cambodian cookbook or recipe cards

• Why it’s worth buying: A cookbook teaches how to use local spices and captures culinary context for your edible souvenirs. Recipe cards make compact, shareable keepsakes.
• Where to look: food halls and museum shops carry regional cookbooks and curated recipe sets.
• Price range: $8–$30
• How to spot a good one: Check that recipes use locally named ingredients and include clear measurements.
• Easy-to-pack tip: Slip books inside clothing or carry them in hand luggage to avoid edges crushing.

Quick buying tips for Phnom Penh

• Carry small bills; stalls prefer cash while hotels and larger shops accept cards.
• Polite haggling is common at markets; offer a lower price and then compromise.
• Wrap ceramics and lacquer in clothes; place in carry-on to reduce breakage risk.
• Many galleries and co-ops ship internationally, confirm prices and customs before buying.
• Look for hand-tool marks, artisan signatures, or provenance notes indicating made locally.
• Pack sauces and oils in checked luggage, seal bottles and declare fragile items.

Where to shop in Phnom Penh

Shopping is spread across market halls, riverside walks, and museum areas, so plan time for different parts of the city. Markets are best for food and everyday crafts, while museum shops and galleries sell higher-quality, documented pieces.

• Central Market (Phsar Thmei) — art deco market with spices, jewelry, packaged coffee, and lacquerware.
• Russian Market (Toul Tom Poung) — textiles, silversmithing, carved wood, and small practical souvenirs.
• Sisowath Quay waterfront — riverside stalls and kiosks selling prints, snacks, and woven goods by the river.
• National Museum and museum shops — books, curated prints, and well-presented craft objects with provenance.
• Old French Quarter streets near Norodom Boulevard — independent boutiques with ceramics, textiles, and design items.
• Night markets and weekend fairs — seasonal stalls offering freshly made sweets and a variety of small crafts.
• Central food halls and supermarkets — sealed coffee, Kampot pepper, and travel-ready packaged condiments.

What to skip (common tourist traps)

• Cheap brass “antiques” sold as old; many are modern castings with weak detail.
• Thin plastic souvenirs printed with Khmer images; surface printing often peels quickly.
• Loose spices sold without packaging; freshness and origin are unclear.
• Rayon textiles labeled as silk; fabric feel and labeled fiber content may mislead buyers.
• Jewelry without hallmarks or maker information; heavier, marked pieces usually indicate better quality.
• Boxed goods marked with generic “Angkor” branding only; likely produced in bulk overseas.

If you only buy three things

Kampot pepper — small, long-lasting, and instantly useful in home cooking.
Khmer silk scarf — wearable craft that shows regional technique and natural dyes.
Handmade linocut print — flat, light, and easy to frame as a reminder of the trip.

FAQ

1. What is Phnom Penh known for making?
   Phnom Penh is a center for selling Cambodian crafts like silk textiles, lacquerware, and metalwork. The city also acts as a market hub for regional foods such as coffee, pepper, and packaged sweets.
2. What are the best edible souvenirs from Phnom Penh?
   Look for Kampot pepper, roasted Cambodian coffee, and sealed palm sugar or coconut sweets. Choose sealed packaging with dates and ingredient lists for reliable travel.
3. Are souvenirs expensive in Phnom Penh?
   Prices vary widely: market stalls offer low-cost items while museum shops and galleries are pricier. Small bargaining margins are common at markets; fixed prices are normal in galleries.
4. What is the easiest souvenir to pack from Phnom Penh?
   Kampot pepper or packaged coffee are compact, sturdy, and allowed in most luggage. They travel well and don’t require special wrapping.
5. How do I know if something is truly local?
   Ask where it was made and request maker details or provenance notes when possible. Look for hand-tool marks, artisan signatures, and packaging that states origin.

Tip: Save your receipts, and keep fragile items in your carry-on.

About the Author

Colin is the founder of SouvenirsIdeas.com and a passionate traveller with a soft spot for ceramics, markets, and food tours. He writes practical, first-hand guides to help you bring home souvenirs that actually mean something — not just more clutter!

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