Kep Crab Market
Pick Your Crab, Choose Your Pepper
Kep Crab Market — Quick Facts
- What is it?
- market — Pick Your Crab, Choose Your Pepper
- Where?
- Kep , Cambodia
- Entry Fee
- Free entry (crab priced by weight, roughly $5–8 USD/kg)
- Opening Hours
- Morning until evening; best at sunset
- Time Needed
- 1–2 hours
- Best Time
- Sunset, November–April
- Don't Miss
- Crab fried with fresh Kampot pepper, eaten at a market table as the boats come in
What to See at Kep Crab Market
The Floating Cages
Fisherwomen anchor bamboo cages just offshore, hauling out live crabs to sell by weight directly from the water — the freshest possible seafood, sold metres from where it was caught.
The Market Restaurants
A row of open-air stalls behind the dock will cook your crab however you like — the local specialty is stir-fried with fresh green Kampot peppercorns still on the stalk, butter, and garlic. Most stalls also serve squid, prawns, and other catch-of-the-day seafood.
The Dock at Sunset
Time a visit for late afternoon to watch the day’s fishing boats return as the light turns gold over the water — as much a part of the experience as the food itself.
How to Get to Kep Crab Market
The market sits on Kep’s waterfront, a short walk or tuk-tuk ride from anywhere in town. It’s also the departure point for boats to Rabbit Island, so many visitors combine the two in one outing.
Practical Tips
- Prices are by weight and negotiable — agree on a price before the crab is cooked
- Bring cash; card payment isn’t available at most stalls
- Pair crab with Kampot pepper for the definitive local combination
- Arrive by late afternoon for the best atmosphere as boats return
Nearby Attractions
- Rabbit Island (Koh Tonsay) — boats depart from the same waterfront
- Kep Beach — a short walk along the coast road
Useful Links
Practical Info
- Entry Fee
- Free entry (crab priced by weight, roughly $5–8 USD/kg)
- Opening Hours
- Morning until evening; best at sunset
- Time Needed
- 1–2 hours
- Best Time
- Sunset, November–April