Central Market

Phnom Penh’s Central Market is an art deco building that dates to the 1930’s. This “X”-shaped building has a circular, domed core. On the inside of the building one can find clothes, jewelry, sunglasses, and– sadly– ivory. Most of what you will find there is knock-offs, as should be apparent from the prices.  The “V”-shaped spaces between the wings of the building are chock full of more mundane goods such as foodstuffs, hardware, and tourist T-shirts. In the market one can get anything from wriggling seafood to rice to produce (I’d recommend those with Western constitutions –cast-iron or not– stay away from the meat.) Refrigeration is not so common in Cambodia, a few places get large blocks of ice to put their meat on, but many just lay it out on cardboard until it sells.