Phnom Penh Bakeries
Man first started baking bread around 10,000BC and we’ve come a long way since! Succulent arrays of breads and pastries have been created, and Phnom Penh has many of these to offer! From the street sellers, to the luxury hotels, these places provide you with their freshest produce daily.
The French style baguette is the staple of the bread market, and can be found on every street throughout the city. Street side stalls, using small charcoal burners to ensure their produce remains warm, will sell you this plain bread in varying sizes. Loaves are available from 250riel to 1500riel, depending on size. Bread roll stalls are everywhere too, and provide a roll with salad and blocks of meat for less than 50 cents. Even ice cream in bread, an interesting snack, can be found peddled on the streets throughout Phnom Penh!
Amongst the budget offerings is the group of Khmer bakeries located on Kampuchea Krom (Street 128), not far from Central Market, who churn out oven fresh bread all day long! Here, within 50 metres of each other, you will find six large establishments. They all offer Asian-style bakery delights, some of which differ from what the western appetite would usually expect, but tasty nonetheless. These are clearly priced, on display in glass cabinets, and available at very modest prices. My favourite is the banana muffins!
Also for those who love sweets, across the road are the two coconut ice cream shops. They provide a great accompaniment for your pastries, and are a welcome treat to cool you off.
Elsewhere in town are western standard bakeries.
Located near to Independence Monument, on Sihanouk Boulevard, is Asia Bakery with a selection of country loaves, whole-wheat breads, croissants, and different sweet cakes and slices. Items cost less than $1 and seating is available.
Comme a la Maison, located on Street 57 specialises in baked goods, either takeaway or seated in their pleasant garden cafe. The French owner caters mainly to the local French expatriate community, so prices tend to be higher than other bakeries in town, but still inexpensive by Western standards. There is a range of freshly baked pastries that draw expatriates from all over town, and more substantial dishes are also on offer.
On Sisowath Quay, right on the river, is a bakery that an Australian or New Zealander could expect to find back home – the Kiwi Bakery. It has a delicious selection of doughnuts, croissants, pastries, meat pies, pizzas, and sandwiches, and also an extensive Thai menu. Its quality raw products are all imported from New Zealand. It boasts comfortable seating, pleasant staff, and both local and international magazines and papers. Free delivery is offered for orders over $6.
After hours, sweet-tooths can find this bakery’s sweets and cakes also on sale in supermarkets and Star Mart petrol stations throughout Phnom Penh.
Another popular bakery, The Shoppe, located on Street 240, provides you with a large assortment of baked goods, including fresh breads, croissants, pain au chocolate, cakes, tarts, chocolates, and ice cream. It is reasonably priced, with a style that is clean and modern, amidst a truly unique and tranquil location. Eat in, take away and delivery.
For the truly indulgent lover of baked goods, a trip to the luxury hotels of Phnom Penh will provide that which can only be expected from a fine pastry Chef.
Close to Monivong, on Street 94, La Royale offers an excellent range of bread, pastries and cakes. It also serves excellent coffee, which can be enjoyed while reading the international press.
On Monivong Boulevard, and also on the riverfront, you will also find two more international standard hotels that have top-of-the-line delicatessen-bakeries.
The last of the large hotels (the Intercontinental) is located on Mao Tse Tung Boulevard. It sells bread, cakes and pastries in a stylish cafe atmosphere. Customers can enjoy an espresso with a slice of black forest cherry gateau at a sit-down table.
These hotels offer you the chance to satisfy your cravings until 10pm. Also worthy of note is that a 50% discount is offered on their baked goods after 7pm, but you have to ask, or full price will be charged!
Whether it be for a snack, a meal, or a bedtime dessert, the delights of Phnom Penh’s bakeries beckon you today!!!
