pinaywifespeaks » Shopping in Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh’s Psah Thom Thmei: Gorgeous Art Deco Building

Lui — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 01:08:20 +0000

Friends and some readers ask me if there are malls here in Phnom Penh. Yes, there are malls, but not like the huge malls in neighboring countries. They usually are smallish and the goods being sold in there reminds me of those sold in 168 Mall in Manila. Bargain, and low quality items at inflated prices. I observed Khmers don’t have a huge fondness for shopping in air-conditioned malls, they usually just go there to cool down, eat or go to the supermarket. And you really can’t fault them since what’s being sold there can be found in most traditional markets at a much lower price.

signage ‘reads’ to Psar Thom Thmei meaning New Big Market

One of the most popular traditional markets here is the Central Market or Psar Thom Thmei. This place is also pretty much always on a tourist’s itinerary not just because of the goodies you can find there. You can buy gold coins and jewelry, Cambodian souvenirs, cheap clothes, electronics and the wet goods area is also a place to see. Another reason to account for its popularity and why its considered one of Phnom Penh’s landmarks is that its a really gorgeous place. Not your typical ramshackle market.

It’s made with a unique Art Deco design and was constructed during the 1930′s. It features a huge yellow dome and four arms as extension. The dome houses jewelry shops, while the four ‘arms’ houses various shops. It has recently undergone an extensive renovation and is now more beautiful than ever.

Whilst the place is huge and can be extremely hot during mid-day, its also very easy to navigate and the shops are organized well enough. The surrounding shops are also interesting to see, with most of them selling mobile phones, tablets and all sorts of gadgetry.

If you’re here in Phnom Penh and have an interest in both shopping and architecture, then this place should be on the must visit list.

Living in Phnom Penh: Randomness #2 – Life and Shopping

Lui — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 02:12:27 +0000

Here goes my random post again. This is beginning to be my favorite part of this blog. Lol. It may not be that ‘SEO friendly’ nor do I think posts like this would get a lot of hits and earn my blog a gazillion but then it makes me happy to write down my most random thoughts. There is just something so liberating about being able to write down even my most convulted thoughts. It allows me some time to be introspective and also marvel at the circuitous way my brain actually works. Hahaha.

So what have I been up to and thinking of these past week?

My first thought yesterday? Oh no. I totally forgot to post my Cambodia Snapshots entries for last week. My excuse: I was swamped with things to do. Hi-ace was going to a week-long meeting in Korea and with a load of things he has to do already, he was left with little time to prepare his stuff. So it was no brainer that I’d put on my ‘secretary’ hat and prepare presentations and such.

Phnom Penh’s see-sawing weather is driving me nuts. Why? I dunno when is the best time to do laundry. Lol. The past week whenever it looks like were going to have some sun, I always make a mad dash to load the washing machine. I know I could make use of the dryer but I still prefer to just squeeze dry our clothes and leave it to fully dry under the sun.

The level of water on Mekong River is scaring me. I know this is the first time I have seen it that high. I don’t want to see more flooding.

I’m sooo looking forward to our trip to Manila on the 27th. I miss my mom and the family will be together for All Saint’s Day. We’ll all be visiting Papa’s grave. This will be the first time I go home and won’t be seeing him and I can’t help but tear up. I miss him dreadfully, I don’t think I’ll ever get over the fact that I won’t be seeing him anymore. Ever.

On a lighter note, I decided to add little somethings to my wardrobe. You know I swore when I was younger that even if I get fat or thin when I age, I don’t want to look losyang. I always believe one should make an effort to look good whatever age, size, color etc you are. Some do it for others (ie to please their husbands, bf’s etc) but me, I do it for myself. I feel good about myself when I’m dressed presentably.

You might ask why I don’t dress up primarily for hubby. Well, he already thinks I’m a goddess so I need not worry. LOL. Kidding! I hope he doesn’t read this. Hahaha.

I do like shopping, but most of the time I prefer thrift shopping. Or bargain shopping. That’s why I just loooove Tuol Tompong Market (Russian Market) here in Phnom Penh. There are lots of branded factory overun clothing in there at just a fraction of its retail price. So this is where I get my everyday and casual clothing. I simply can’t justify spending more than $20 on a clothes that I would just use inside the house or for a casual stroll outside and that’s the main reason I shop at Russian Market for clothes. They are cheap and chic. I blog more about my shopping and thrift finds at GirlOnaThriftHunt

All items from various stalls in Russian Market-Phnom Penh.

Leggings – $2 each; Nice fabric, I wasn’t too keen though on the way the ends flare a bit. I like my leggings tapered. But this is definitely very serviceable. And at that price? Huh, great steal.
One-piece dresses – $3 each; I love this. Can be worn alone or with leggings. The fabric is soft and made of cotton. The sewing though is not perfect but at that price, I’m not complaining.
Tank Tops – 3 for $5. Very comfy. I got three in neutral colors. Easy to pair with other clothes. Great fabric.
Cardigans – $3 each. <3 <3 <3. Lightweight and stylish cardigan. Perfect for chilly days without adding a lot of bulk. I’m going crazy about cardigans these days. Lol.

All in all, I spent $21!!! You know, shopping is really great here in Phnom Penh. We don’t have gargantuan malls but you can discover some really good buys if you just take the time to look.I also find bargaining a lot of fun.

Nail Art Mania in Phnom Penh

Lui — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 04:57:13 +0000

This should be in “What to Do in Phnom Penh?” list for ladies. Hahaha. But if a guy wants it, then I’m pretty sure he’d be accommodated. I have yet to try it myself , as I’m not really into nail polish thing, because Hello?! I do a lot of house chores and they get removed in a matter of few hours. But I’ve been with friends and relatives who go to have it regularly. And although I don’t have the nail art mania myself, I find it so fascinating! I could well understand why Khmers love putting nail art.

For one, each design is hand-painted (yes! seriously) and the Khmer nail art ladies are masters of their craft. Teeny weeny and intricate designs are applied with ease, well it looks easy when they do it, but I’m sure you need more than just a steady hand to do it properly. Another reason why its a hit? It’s cheap! Can you imagine getting nail art done abroad? I mean in Manila this is a bit hard to find and if you find a salon that offers this, you’d have to pay a really steep price. But here in Cambo, they only charge from $2 {a bit more if its a complicated design} per design. And that covers your ten fingers already, lol!

Also if you have a short nail, you can just get yourself a temporary, glued long nails complete with the fancy nail art you want. Some even have glittery stuff, maybe its zirconia or Swarovski Crystal beads. If you want blings and glitters you’d be spoiled for choice.

And here’s what I also observed in that salon we frequent in Sorya Mall… A Nail Art Training Corner! These ladies are actually learning and honing their nail art craft perfection. Cool, right?

PS. Thanks to PinayMum. She’s the hand model in the first photo

Save Big @ Used Office Furnitures

Lui — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 03:34:26 +0000

Here’s another second hand store here in Phnom Penh we chanced upon two weeks ago. We were going to the airport when we saw this. We usually pass by Schola Rd coz well, its less traffic and comes out almost near the airport already. So on the way back we checked out the store. It’s called Used Office Furniture, and they sell… tada! used office furnitures!

I was really pleased to see their items are really of very good condition. And they also take good care of them, most of them are wrapped in plastic or bubble wrap. They have office chairs, stools, ‘bar’ stools, office filing cabinets, and a lot of office desks. Most of the items are priced at below 50% of the brand new prices.

A few weeks ago, I canvassed for an office chair {the one that an turn about, adjustable etc} and I was quoted the price of $70. I saw a similar one in Used Office Furniture and its in top condition almost never used, and they are selling it for $35. I’m sure this price is still negotiable.

Used Office Furniture – Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Schola Road {or St. 2004)

012 – 950-472 | 099- 693 -760

Finding Cheap Furnishings in Phnom Penh

Lui — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 02:49:08 +0000

A lot of expats here in Phnom Penh usually stay for a few years, so its a practical choice too to buy not too expensive furnishings for their temporary Phnom Penh homes. There are actually a lot of options for you to find cheap, pretty and quality furnishings here. I’m guessing these are some things that a lot of people who are going to be living in Phnom Penh are looking for.

One, you can scour ads for garage, yard and expat sales. A lot of expats leaving for another post abroad hold yard sales to dispose of their furnishings. Bringing these stuff with them can be quite costly so majority of them just hold sales. So there’s your chance to grab some quality furnishings at really bargain prices. I myself, like watching out for these garage sales and have scored lovely home decor items like my decorative mirror and some small home appliances. Where to check out ads: Bongthom.com, classified ads on dailies, also a Yahoo group called Cambodia Parents Network posts garage sale schedules.

Two, second hand shops! Yes, there are some of that here. Some imported from Japan while there are also some who source locally. Just last week when I was looking for some floor mirror and an office chair {you know the one that can whirl around, is quite comfy, but often pricey when its new} and we came across a shop along Schola Road called ‘Used Office Furnitures’ and with lots of office furnishings which are of still tip top shape and at really low prices. I’ll be posting about this as soon as I sorted out the photos. 88 Japanese Furniture along Norodom Blvd and the warehouse along National Rd. 1 is also a place to check out.

Three, buy it new. If you are into those quaint wicker furnishings then check out Sothearos Blvd. Rattan furnishings in various shapes and forms can be found along the street near its intersection with Norodom Blvd. These items make stylish and perfect of the hot Phnom Penh weather furnishings. They are lightweight but durable and you can find a lot of items in these shops. From bookshelves, to lounge chairs, bar counters, dining sets, sofas etc. all at very affordable prices.

Four, have them custom made. You can have some nice but not too pricey furnishings customized. Just visit one of those small shops along Sothearos Blvd. Last time we actually bought a custom made vanity mirror with nice vintage like wood finish for only $20. Along the same street selling rattan furnishings are small furniture shops like these..

Hope this post has been of some help. If you have more tips, places to shop, please leave a comment.

Events: 88 Furniture Public Auction

Lui — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 12:03:24 +0000

For those who are into vintage ~ thrift shopping, 88 Furniture is holding a public auction on April 10, 2011 from 9am to 12am and 2.30pm to 4.30pm. Big Public Auction located at the warehouse National Road No. 1, 2km after Monivong Bridge on the right side.

On auction will be hundreds, if not thousands of home appliances, furnitures, crockery, tools, home decor and other miscellaneous items. I think this is worth a visit. I love this shop for second hand kitchen stuff and for sure buying through the auction means huge savings!

Finding the place is easy. Just look for this signage:

88 Japanese Furniture Warehouse

Its a a few km from Psar Chbar Ampov and its quite near Bayon TV Tower and Wat Nerot.

We have also visited this place last and I’ve featured this on my thrifting blog – 88 Japanese Furniture Warehouse and Peluka Goes Home Thrift Shopping.

Discovering Some Phnom Penh Thrift Shops

Lui — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 11:46:54 +0000

I have a thing about shopping {lol! most girls do..} specially thrift shopping! I love second hand stuff. In fact I created another blog just to showcase my finds and thrift haunts. One thing about thrift shopping, its fun if you do it with friends. I’m quite fortunate to have my Peluka sisters who share the same passion. And not only that, hubby too has become a thrift shopping convert. Nowadays its not me who asks to go thrift shopping, more often he’s the one who asks to browse thrift shops.

Anyway, last Sunday he asked me to go with him and check out a furniture thrift shop. Along Norodom Blvd. {near the place selling spirit houses} there is a small second hand furniture shop called 88. Hubby learned from a friend that this is actually just a branch and there is huge 88 warehouse along National Road #1 just past Monivong Bridge.

Well this is what we wanted to check out. It’s really big. It’s like a treasure trove. They mainly deal wholesale and constantly hold public auctions. And the left overs they sell on retail. They have a huge inventory of second hand cabinets, sofas, chairs, car seats, prints and collectibles, shoes and lot of home items. They also have a separate section for bags most of them in very good condition. The only complaint I have is that they don’t know how to price their stuff. I find it too expensive. I think they just make a haphazard a guess when pricing the items. Take for instance I saw a weighing scale and when I asked the price they said its $15. Whaaat?! A brand new one in Olympic Market costs just about $12!

Maybe its cheaper if you buy through auction? I don’t really know. It’s just too bad coz a lot of their items are top buys. I hope they would think about their pricing strategy although you can still bargain. I did not buy anything though coz I was not in the mood to haggle. But its still a place worth checking out coz they really have lots of good stuff, just be prepared to haggle.

I took lots of photos of this second hand thrift shop and I’ll be posting it on my thrifting blog – Girl On A Thrift Hunt.

While we were driving back, we also passed by a small thrift shop specializing in clothes. Its called the Basic House Outlet. They don’t have much inventory when we dropped by but they were on buy on take one sale. Most clothes are priced 2000 Riels ($.50) below. More photos of this too on my other blog.

I think I’ll be featuring places around Phnom Penh more often now. I’m always gallivanting around anyway hahaha.

88 Japanese Furniture Warehouse

National Road 1

012 807 462

Basic House Outlet

National Rd 1

Just Another Thrifting Place in Phnom Penh

Lui — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 15:45:52 +0000

A few days after Christmas, I woke up really early and felt restless. I bugged Hi-ace then to drive me around. It was our usual ‘lets-drive-around-and-check-out-anything-interesting-along-the-way’ routine. Whenever we do this, we always stumble across something really nice, usually hole-in-the-corner shops or restaurants.

We were cruising along St. 271 when I saw a huge banner and it says Christmas and New Year Sale – 30% off. The thrift hunter in me flashed green and I promptly told Hi-ace to make a stop. It was a bargain hunting place indeed!

The shop’s (its more like a huge warehouse) name is Sakura Used Japanese Products. My interest was instantly piqued coz I love Japan Thrift Shop here in Phnom Penh. That’s one of our most frequent thrifting haunt with my Peluka Sisters.

Of course, I took a photo of what’s inside the shop. But I’ll be posting it on my Girl on a Thrift Hunt (G-O-T-H) blog. Was it a Gold Mine? Let me put it this way, they have lots of stuff, the place was literally spilling with goodies, but it was a bit pricey. I think they would do better to lower the price, after all those are used items. But they are still worth checking out, specially the home items.

Visit my GOTH blog for more thrift hunting blurbs.

Little Finds Again Around Psar Tuol Tompong

Lui — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 15:03:36 +0000

I had been feeling so darn lazy the past few days, all I did was play computer games, wrote very few blog posts. There are days I’m like this so I just went with the flow. But this morning I woke up thinking, ‘I’ve got to work, I need to save for a new laptop!’

So, I had to drag myself out of my temporary stupor. What to do? Well, after running some errands, visiting a travel agent, I decided to have some full body massage, where else but our fave Bamboo Spa. Then I was joined by my Peluka Sister – Pinaymum for some retail therapy @ Psar Tuol Tompong or Russian Market.

I was thinking of buying some bowls and I found some that I really liked but it was just too pricey. Hello!? $26 for 2 large bowls that I know costs less than $8? No way. So we walked away. We got a lot of cutie knickknacks for our kiddos inside the market.

The heat was getting stifling though, so we decided to check out the row of new air conditioned stores outside of Psar Tuol Tompong. There’s a new kids store with okay selection and okay enough prices I forgot the store name though but it has the word Pink on it. We also checked out 21 Century store. Lots of factory over runs with casual brands like Forever 21, GAP, CK etc.

Got this American Eagle Outfitters dress for $14. Love it! Would be great as swimsuit cover up, sundress, or topped with cardigan. And best of all, it fits me! Haha its all ‘garterized’ at the back so I don’t have to have a mad dash for the most powerful appetite suppressant just to fit into this. Best of all the cut and fabric is very slimming.

Then we stopped over another store, Esquisse. This one is new and their stocks are really nice and very very affordable! And the owner really friendly. This is one place to remember for casual chic clothes.

Last stop was WExport. I was just intending to browse but I still ended up buying this cute Benetton jumper for Chinks.

=) Yup! You can conclude I’m one happy, sated girl.

Swimwear Finds in Russian Market (Psar Tuol Tompong)

Lui — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 08:29:06 +0000

Yesterday, we were supposed to be looking for some new tv stands after visiting a travel agency to make travel arrangements, but we ended up just driving around, then going to the supermarket then piling up on pastries. Ugh, really really bad for me but Hi-ace was on his element trying {and totally succeeding} to make me eat some calorie laden muffins and doughnuts.

Since the shopping trip was postponed yesterday, I decided to go this morning not for tv stands though since I prefer to have Hi-ace when I buy that, and since he’s in Takeo province today, it was just me doing a bit of shopping in where else but Russian Market (Psar Tuol Tompong). I didn’t really have a clue what to buy and I was thinking of buying a pair of sandals but I didn’t like what I was in the stalls. I ended up wandering about the market when one seller called me. I remembered she lives a few doors down from my mother-in-law’s flat and she asked me to have a look at the new things she’s selling..

My, my! Really nice swimwear and lingerie, which is really hard to find around Phnom Penh. I bought a few Merona tankini’s to give to my friends and some Gap bra’s (and no they are not fake, all authentic!!). How much? $6 for the tankini’s and $5 for a lacy bra in nude color. All a steal with those prices considering that Merona tankini’s retails from $15 – $40..

Here’s just some:

She has this really small shop and I tend to overlook it with all the other shops crammed about the market but it was a great find! She has a lot of branded lingerie, bikinis, swimwear, sleepwear and tank tops. And she gives a fair price too and is not really scary to bargain with.

Several stalls down I also bought a sexy little tankini for Chinks for only $3..

Technorati Tags: shopping in phnom penh,phnom penh market,russian market phnom penh,psar tuol tompong

Fabulous Khmer Fabrics From Russian Market

Lui — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 01:03:01 +0000

I’ve doing a lot of shopping recently. I’ll be going to the Philippines in two weeks time so I have to cram in some shopping for gifts for my gazillion relatives. That is not a complaint! I love my relatives and friends to bits and I’m also addicted to shopping… I only wish I have truckloads of moolah hahaha..

I did most of the shopping at Russian Market (Tuol Tompoung Market) coz its nearby and well, everything is there. I got lots of branded factory overruns shirts, pants and jackets plus lots of Khmer bags (luv them!) and also some Northface and Kipling bags.

My favorite buys though are still Khmer fabrics! My mom and my aunts just love them and I always bring some whenever I go home. You can actually find lots of fabulous choices from the simple plain silk with geometric patterns at the bottom, to the handmade silk with full patterns and also some plain handmade ones.

I went for these as this is what my mom requested for. Plain, bold colors with geometric patterns. 2 meters costs $4. Bargain hard since the usual initial price quote would be around $10-$12 for 2 meters. Believe me you can lower it down to less than $5!

Handmade silk are pricier, the ones with full patterns costs anywhere from $50-$100 per set. While the plain handmade ones can go for $10-up per meter.

I also got some really nice scarves for my super fashionista cousins. I picked just neutrals so it will go with any outfits they wanna pair it with..

Shopping just exhausted me, truly. I never thought I’d say that but this time it did. Add to the fact that the Russian Market doesn’t have the airconditioned comforts of shopping malls.. The good thing is that, I’ve lost a bit of weight haha it was like being in a sauna. But I’ll probably still be back there in the next few days coz I always miss something out, after I do some life insurance lead research which Hi-ace asked me to do. Right now though, I need a little break. And oh, our fence construction around the property is almost done, so I could really really take a breath now..

Technorati Tags: phnom penh,shopping phnom penh,cambodia,russian market phnom penh

Phnom Penh Vendors Galore

Lui — Sun, 30 May 2010 10:52:21 +0000

I think this would be an understatement – Phnom Penh has a very colorful street scene! That’s one of the things I have grown used to (and in fact, have grown to love..) about this place. I guess there’ s something about this place that really appeals to me. I had been called ‘a lakwatsera’ more than a few times. I’m just the sort to wander around, just soaking in the atmosphere of a place, observing what the locals are up to and discovering more and more about their culture by just observing them. Hi-ace says that’s one the things he liked about me, lol! I spend more time wandering about, being curious and learning than getting rid of blackheads or trying on high heels..

flower vendors @ Psah O’Russei

Anyway, back to topic – Phnom Penh street scene. My obvious favorite are the various vendors you can see on the streets..Here’s some snapshots I’ve collected the previous months of vendors selling mostly snacks, drinks, flowers and toys..I’m just not the best of photographers haha I just tend to snap and snap, but here’s just to give you a feel of the place..

second hand clothes @ Boeng Trabaek Market

roasted pig vendors @ O’Russei Market

Bok Lahong (Papaya Salad) Vendor

sausages, dried squid for grilling

steamed sweet corn vendor

clothes, shoes etc along the sidewalk (st. 47)

balloon vendor @ the riverfront

At the onset, I thought ‘uh oh, another chaotic city!’ but looking at everything around me made me realize that all the ‘chaos’ make this a really unique place. I mean, I certainly can’t imagine Phnom Penh withouth those vendors..

Shopping in Phnom Penh: Boeng Keng Kang Market

Lui — Wed, 26 May 2010 12:43:28 +0000

Just a quick aside~~~~~

I’ve just been back from a few hours of coffee and girl talk with some really cool friends I have here in Phnom Penh – the Peluka Sisters. Thanks J, C, Z and E! Just some time spent with them (I call it my decompression time..) is really enough to rev me up, so now I’m blogging like mad.

One of our fave places to shop here is the Boeung Keng Kang Market located where else but the Boeung Keng Kang area also well-known as the NGO quarters. So what’s in BKK that got us hooked? Aside from the usual wet goodies, some clothing stores, there’s a lot of second-hand stuff you can find in BKK.

a typical store in the market..

A few weeks ago, I was having some blogging/writer’s block from trying to research mesothelioma survival rate with no apparent success so I dragged Hi-ace there because I was looking for a belt that would go with a black turtle neck dress I found in another thrift shop. Of course, BKK did not disappoint. I found this…Only 6000 Riels ($1.5)

my belt!

Second-hand belts galore

Second-hand brand-name bags

And of course,there’s more. Second-hand men’s shoes. If you’re lucky you can even get pricey brands at super low prices. Hi-ace found an Esquire men’s shoe that fit him (which rarely happens) and he’s seriously in seventh heaven with it!

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Men’s shoes..

Second-hand ladies shoes

And one of my favorite things to look for here..Rugs, carpets, bedsheets, comforters, pillowcases, toilet seat covers, towels, curtains etc..Jeans, shorts, polo shirts are right next to the rows selling second-hand shoes. You can also find some second-hand clothes in makeshift tents outside the market.

Shopping in Phnom Penh: Brand Name Goodies From Russian Market

Lui — Sun, 09 May 2010 06:37:24 +0000

Just recently I received two emails from soon-to-be Phnom Penh visitors asking about shopping in Phnom Penh. Both also mentioned the Russian Market and what they could buy from there aside from the usual souvenirs. I had been thinking of updating my ‘Shopping in Phnom Penh‘ category but I keep forgetting. Now that I’d been prompted I’ll be regularly posting stuff I score from Phnom Penh’s shopping grounds.

Russian Market or Tuol Tompong Market is my favorite market in all of Phnom Penh. In fact, I go there almost three times a week! The market itself is nothing interesting architecturally, just a bunch of stalls put together but really its what you can discover inside that makes it a really popular place to shop.

I shop there for fresh produce. It’s the best place for buying Cambodian silks, carvings and quality Khmer souvenir items. Lots of Cd’s and DVD movies there. If you are also the adventurous sort when it comes to food, then the food hall in the middle of the market is one place to sample the local Khmer fare.

This market also holds a secret loot of brand name clothing from various factories across Phnom Penh. Over runs, excess stuff from factories making clothes for Department store brands like Kmart, Target etc can be found here and at just about 10% of its SRP! Gap, Abercrombie, H & M, Calvin Klein, Lee, Adidas and a lot more brands can be found here and its easy to go shopping crazy because they are so cheap!

Beware though, Russian Market is super hot and you have to squeeze yourselves in the narrow passages between stalls but its totally worth it! I usually go there around 9-10 am when the heat is still bearable and around 1-2 pm also is a good time if don’t like crowds. If the heat is really unbearable then there’s a new air-conditioned store right across the street from the market called WExport, but you’ll pay a premium price for a little blast of cool air.

Anyway, I bought these things from the Russian Market last March, mostly casual items I could use for the summer. Just so you have an idea what else you can find there..

Lee Capri Pants and Merona pants (Coral) – $4 each.

Kipling Backpack (large) – $8 (You can also buy Northface bags at similar prices. Vendor’s usually quote $12 for a large backpack but haggle, haggle, haggle. If you buy more you can probably get it for less than $8. These are from Vietnam but curiously they sell almost at the same prices at times lower than in Ben Thanh Market in HCM)

Kipling slingbag/beltbag – $4

Will post more items soon..

Bargain Hunters Delight: Phnom Penh’s Japan Thrift

Lui — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 11:48:22 +0000

Yes, there are shopping malls here in Phnom Penh but I don’t really like shopping there for clothes. Mostly because they just sell stuff that can be easily found in Bangkok but at super high prices at times their markups are more than 300%! I only like going to these malls for coffee, to stroll around to get away from the heat, or to shop at the supermarkets. When it comes to clothes shopping I prefer going to Russian Market (Phsar Tuol Tompong) for casual stuff, shops along St. 240 for classy dresses, and lately we’ve been discovering lots of places to shop for vintage, second-hand items at super low prices.

I’ve been hearing long-term Phnom Penh expats rave about Japan Thrift Shop but I kept putting off going there because its a little far from our house. Anyway, a few weeks ago, Ouwie decided she wanted to have more blouses to add to her ‘work wardrobe’ but she doesn’t want to spend a lot. I suddenly remembered Japan Thrift, so I forego my morning blogging duties and doing research about nutrisystem to explore Japan Thrift Shop.

It’s located along St. 47, a street in the middle of Monivong Blvd. and Sisowath Quay, almost to the Old Olympic circle. I find it much easier to go from Wat Phnom, turn right to St. 47. The shop is located a few meters down Total Gas Station. It’s facade is a little indistinct so it might be easy to miss..

You can see some toys and shoes in racks outside the building but its the inside you might be wanting to see. I like the way items are organized here, makes sorting a teeny bit easier. Note that it is not air-conditioned, but the high ceilings and some fans help ease the heat, but do prepare bottled water in case you get so hooked at sorting those piles of goodies. Another perk is their fitting rooms so you can try on your finds before buying it!

Lovely, lovely skirts! All less than a $1.

Cool looking leather jacket, only $1.75! Too bad it couldn’t fit me haha!

So how was our shopping expedition? We brought home 2 skirts, 8 really nice blouses, 1 black knitted turtleneck dress for only $4.25 plus we got an additional bonus – a really cute and cuddly raccoon stuffed toy, which the seller gave us for only 1,000 Riels!

Other stuff you can find there..

Stuff toys..

for bag-o-holics!

for shoe-lovers..

belts and ties..

It’s definitely worthwhile to sort through those piles. Lots of unique items you can get for a really low price. This place really will go to my regular bargain haunts in Phnom Penh.

Wanna go there? Check out the map..
View Larger Map

O’Russey Market, Phnom Penh

Lui — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 01:11:55 +0000

Phnom Penh has several large traditional markets selling all kinds of goodies and its advantage over supermarkets? you can also haggle to get a good bargain. As an expat, I’m more used to supermarkets and it took sometime for me to brave these traditional markets on my own. I first got hooked with the Russian Market (Tuol Tompoung Market), then I began exploring other big markets.

One of my all time favorite Phnom Penh Markets is the O’Russey Market. It’s a six-story building, market stalls are on the first three floors, and on the surrounding streets. O’Russey Markets is a well-known wholesale market for food ingredients, seafoods,textiles, and clothing. You can also find some gardening items, mechanical tools, and electronics. Toys and food stuff you usually see being retailed in small stores across Phnom Penh are usually bought from here in bulk.

Be forewarned, this market is huge, and the pathways in between stalls are very narrow so be prepared to squeeze your way in. I always make sure I’m in my best (Divisoria-Manila like) mood whenever I venture to this market. It also helps if you can take walks for extended periods of time as there are limited resting areas around the market so best prepare with your joint supplements, a bottle of water, and something to wipe the sweat off your face. And do be careful also with your valuables.

The first floor contains mostly food items, goods for reselling, electronics, gardening supplies. But what interests me the most about this market is the upper floors. The second/third floor houses wholesalers of books and other school materials, clothing, accessories. You can also find textiles, tailoring supplies, ready-made clothing, tailoring shops and some hair and nail salons.

The best part for me is the second-hand clothing/shoe/bags/home items. We Filipinos call this UK or ukay-ukay and this is where you can find designer items @ bargain prices not to mention unique pieces. O’Russey’s Ukay-Ukay/Second Hand stores holds a lot of great finds. I found some cute bags and shoes here but what I really really love are the curtains I discovered here. Second-hand shopping can be a bit difficult and only for those who has the gumption to sort though all the piles, but its very rewarding too..Try it for once and you’ll get hooked and one place to start your ukay-ukay hunting is the O’Russey Market.

I found this really interesting video on YouTube featuring O’Russey Market and the surrounding streets. Video courtesy of MSA Production

Click here to view the embedded video.

O’Russey Market on Google Maps

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Went Shopping with $20 and Got This..

Lui — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 04:05:52 +0000

I was in need of a little retail therapy. I had been in a horrendous mood for the last couple of days, must be PMS or I simply have tons to do and no time to do facials or even have pedicure. Anyway, a few days ago, I decided to treat myself to some shopping. I wanted to go early so the malls were not an option so I went to Psar Tuol Tompoung (Russian Market) to see what I could interest me.

That’s one the things I miss in Manila. The malls and shopping . From where we lived in Cavite, an SM Mall was just a couple of minutes stroll so I usually have my retail fix every so often. Here in Phnom Penh, though there are air-conditioned malls I find them too smallish and some vendors are really in for the kill (I mean they really overprice!) so I prefer going there with a Khmer (more bargaining power..) or I just go over to Tuol Tompoung Market. I guess malling isn’t yet so much a part of Cambodia culture .

I decided to play a little game and see what I could buy with $20. I figured not much. I was wrong. One of the reasons Tuol Tompoung Market is really popular with the tourists – Brand Name Clothing @ a fraction of its original price. No, they are not second hand. All brand new, I don’t have any idea how it got there but I have a few guesses. They are all from garments factories from all over Phnom Penh. Brands like Calvin Klein, Levis, Gap, Colombia, Billabong, Banana Republic, Dockers, Old Navy, H & M to name a few and in-house brands of some US chains like K-Mart.

So, if one really has a thing for brand name clothing at super discounted prices then you wouldn’t mind, the hot and claustrophobic market. It’s actually fun and reminded me so much of Divisoria, Manila on its not so crowded days.

After about an hour shopping around, I spent a total of $16 and here’s what I got!

2 Old Navy Tank Tops, 3 Old Navy Stretch Pants (perfect for working out!) and 2 H & M shirts for Chinks. Not Bad for less than $20 bucks. Now, I’m planning my next shopping outing..

If you’re visiting Phnom Penh, Tuol Tompoung Market (check the map here) is a must visit. Not only can you find Western clothing at bargain prices, but this place is also full-packed with quality souvenirs, Cambodian silk, and if you’re gastronomically adventurous, try out the yummy Cambodian food on the food stalls in the middle of the market.

Cambodian Crafts..

Lui — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 19:03:21 +0000

Cambodians are extremely artistic and even the Khmer Rouge era tried to eliminate culture and arts among the Khmers. The Khmer Rouge did destroy some of the most valuable Cambodian cultural artefacts, instruments, statues and a lot of artists have also perished during the KR regime and this has been a big setback for Cambodian culture and arts.

But creativity and artistry is innate in this race as its culture and arts are slowly seeing a revival. After all, this is the race that built the astoundingly beautiful Angkor Wat Temples. Khmers are particularly skilled when it comes to stone and wood sculpture and carving, silk weaving and silver crafting.

Shopping for artwork, silks and textiles, silver and woodworks is something one shouldn’t miss when you are here. Antiques and woodworks here are unique and well-crafted with evidences of mixed Chinese, French and Khmer influences.

There are also a growing number of art galleries in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap featuring works of up and coming Khmer artists.

As for silk and textiles, you can never get enough of the variety and exquisiteness of hand-woven silks in Cambodia. The most delicate silks in Asia can be found here..

Silver crafts are also worth looking at and the ones crafted here are mostly hand-carved. Woodcarving is also very popular with tourists as it has a rich tradition in Cambodia. From small souvenir items to beautiful furniture, you can have your fill of Khmer-style wood carved pieces here.

Phnom Penh’s Traditional Markets, A Must Visit…

Lui — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 01:10:28 +0000

There is great shopping you can do here in Phnom Penh, be forewarned though that argain shopping here can be done not in the comforts of airconditioned malls like in other countries but in traditional Cambodian markets. The main rule of the shopping game here is: BARGAIN!

Markets in Phnom Penh are usually open from 6:00 am till 5:00 pm. For tourists here, I’d really advice shopping in some shops selling handicrafts and textiles as some of these are raising funds for poor Cambodians.

Here’s a little overview of where to go shopping and what are the best finds in these markets:

Central Market or Psar Thmei

At the time of writing this post, this market is under renovation so vendors are temporarily located on makeshift stalls along the streets surrounding the market. Since these stalls are temporary, it can get unbearably hot because its a little crowded. Anyway, once the market is done being renovated things will get a little easier.

The main Art Deco building is really prominent , dome shaped with four wings. I’m not sure how it’ll look like once the work is finished. These market has plenty of stalls selling gold and silver jewelry, antique coins, clothing and other accessories. You can also find stalls selling Cambodian krama or scarves, household items, clothes for sarong, and also second-hand clothes. The market also has a fresh food section. One side of the market also has stalls selling fresh flowers and potted plants.

The Central Market is really a must visit for avid shoppers as it has a wide range of products you can choose from. Be wary though about being overcharged so bargain until you can get the best price.

Psar Tuol Tom Poung or Russian Market

During the 1980′s Russians living here frequented this market that is why it has earned this nick name. Located on corner of St. 440 and 163, near Mao Tse Toung Blvd. (I’m so lucky I live so near this place ). This market is really crowded and it could get unbearably hot. Best time to go is after lunch, less crowds but its hot..The pathways inside can be so narrow so be forewarned, if you go at busy hours, be prepared to squeeze your way in.

This is the most popular market among tourists as it the best place to buy souvenirs. It has a wide variety of real and fake antiques, wooed carvings, silk, silver jewelry. Another reason why foreigners love this market – brand name clothing made from garment factories here in Phnom Penh can be bought here at less than 15% of its original price. Brands like Gap, Columbia, Levis, Calvin Klein, Dockers, Quicksilver and more are all here. There are also several stalls selling pirated DVD’s, CD’s and computer programs.

Psar Olympic

This markets mostly sells wholesale. Located near the Olympic Stadium, with most items for sale includes clothes, silk, shoes, some jewelry, beauty and personal care products, electronics, food stuffs etc. This market is a little easier to walk around with as it is wider and lots of places to walk around, well lighted and ventilated.

Psar O Russei

Another market that does a lot of wholesaling. Have a lot of cloth, hardware parts, gardening stuff,fresh food, packed foods, costume jewelry, shoes and more. Also has a lot of local beauty salons and tailoring shops on the upper floors. This market is huge, and the layout quite confusing but still a great place for shopping andexploration.

There are other smaller markets around the city, but the goods they carry are mostly available also in the markets mentioned above.

ShoppingTips:

Some Khmer vendors are offended when you ask about the merchandise, bargain, and inspected the products, and you don’t buy. In short, when you ask about an item, they assume that you will buy it and can get quite upset if you don’t. This is specially true when you go in the morning and you are their first client.

If you know a Cambodian, best to ask them to accompany you as a shopping partner, and its a great help when it comes to bargaining.

Khmer sellers usually tell you an inflated price for something you are interested in. Perhaps its part of the Cambodia culture but go with the flow and bargain. What works for me is to start bargaining from 40% of the price they mentioned. Pretending to walk away is also a great technique I’ve learned from my husband. Last time, I wanted a pair of nice walking sandals and seller said its $18, we bargained till we settled at $8. That’s about 45% only of the quoted price. Big difference!

Visiting Cambodia? A Cambodia holiday need not be so expensive nor should it take too much of your time to discover and experience Cambodia culture. There are countless inexpensive but enjoyable tours packages available. Check out Isango Tours and book online for Angkor Wat and Cambodia tours.

Book Shopping in Phnom Penh

Lui — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 01:51:05 +0000

I love books! It’s one passion I share with my husband and now my daughter… I guess this is infectious. When we were in the Philippines, we’d regularly have book shopping trips. We’ve accumulated a lot of books, so when we moved here it took a lot of space of our luggage plus there are still several more boxes left in Manila for shipping here.

The first week we got here, we drove around looking for bookstores to fill our book addiction. There are a lot of new school supplies/bookstores in town but they don’t really have much in terms of books. I think the bookshop with the best stocks of books is Monument Books located along Norodom Blvd., plus they have a good collection of Cambodia-related books.

There are also a number of second-hand bookshops around Phnom Penh. D’s Books has a good number of second-hand books for sale. Near the riverfront there are also some second-hand bookstores. Boston Book Company also sells second hand books and they have fairly good stocks of science, education, children’s books but less on fiction. They are located in St. 240 and they regularly hold book sales in malls like Sovanna Shopping Center and schools.

Books are a great way to unwind, relax and for me its also a good way to ward off homesickness. I suppose we’d be needing another bookshelf soon..

(Photo Credit: D’s Bookshop website..)

pinaywifespeaks » Shopping in Phnom Penh

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