Kep Crab Maket - Prices and Restaurants
- Miguelito
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Kep Crab Maket - Prices and Restaurants
It seems that it has been a long time since there's been a good discussion on here about the crab market, and on the nearby shacks/restaurants. I had to rely on movetocambodia's blogs on the subject, however I found them of somewhat limited use. There are lots of write-ups on the different shacks, but for instance, when she discussed buying the crab at the market, she recommends negotiating down a little, from like 40,000 down to 35,000. However, on Wednesday I asked how much for a kilo of crabs, speaking Khmer with the lady and joking around, and she started off by telling me $12. I had already eaten so I wasn't actually interested, just wanted to see what price she gave me. I didn't negotiate down from there. Later I spoke with my driver who had bought 4 kilos that morning, at $7 a kilo. So, that's a pretty large price spread, from $12 to $7, and I will remember that for next time (not that I can get down to the same price, but at least I know the going rate is about 40% lower that what they will quote me).
I understand prices fluctuate, of course, but what do people normally pay / how far are you able to negotiate down? Would be nice if people could keep this thread updated with those numbers.
As for the restaurant, we checked out two:
For lunch we went to Diamond Jasmine and had an excellent meal. Based on movetocambodia's review we opted against the standard crab and Kampot pepper, and instead went for the curry crab ("crab with spices"), and got the shrimp with pepper. The crab was pretty good, but a little on the sweet side for my tastes. The shrimp were excellent however, and very flavorful. The grilled squid were good, but I will try a different squid dish next time. The prices are very reasonable and portions are a decent size, and I would not hesitate to recommend it for lunch.
For dinner we went to the French owned Maelis, with a generally more "upmarket" vibe inside, and certainly more comfortable setting/lighting. It was also an excellent meal. We first had cocktails next door, as the bar at Maelis was pretty full of what seemed to be regulars, including the owner. We ordered the crab with pepper here and weren't disappointed, and the star for me was the fish tartare (hey, it's French after all). They have a few wines to choose from, but the first bottle we ordered was unfortunately corked. They took it back and brought another, which was the perfect addition to the meal. Prices are a little more, but really only a dollar or two per dish. Still very reasonable.
I think we went about it the right way, of doing more of the "shack" for lunch, and then a little nicer atmosphere for dinner. I would like to hear other people's experiences as well, of places and dishes worth checking out.
I understand prices fluctuate, of course, but what do people normally pay / how far are you able to negotiate down? Would be nice if people could keep this thread updated with those numbers.
As for the restaurant, we checked out two:
For lunch we went to Diamond Jasmine and had an excellent meal. Based on movetocambodia's review we opted against the standard crab and Kampot pepper, and instead went for the curry crab ("crab with spices"), and got the shrimp with pepper. The crab was pretty good, but a little on the sweet side for my tastes. The shrimp were excellent however, and very flavorful. The grilled squid were good, but I will try a different squid dish next time. The prices are very reasonable and portions are a decent size, and I would not hesitate to recommend it for lunch.
For dinner we went to the French owned Maelis, with a generally more "upmarket" vibe inside, and certainly more comfortable setting/lighting. It was also an excellent meal. We first had cocktails next door, as the bar at Maelis was pretty full of what seemed to be regulars, including the owner. We ordered the crab with pepper here and weren't disappointed, and the star for me was the fish tartare (hey, it's French after all). They have a few wines to choose from, but the first bottle we ordered was unfortunately corked. They took it back and brought another, which was the perfect addition to the meal. Prices are a little more, but really only a dollar or two per dish. Still very reasonable.
I think we went about it the right way, of doing more of the "shack" for lunch, and then a little nicer atmosphere for dinner. I would like to hear other people's experiences as well, of places and dishes worth checking out.
- Phuket2006
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not sure about now, but we paid $5/kilo in Nov and took them home to cook, Small and sooo sweet.
the restaurants there are very overpriced, especially the ones up closer to the beach where u sit on mats
Out of a week in Kep only ate out once for lunch at on the of the small restaurants near the market,
the kids wanted pizza LOL
the restaurants there are very overpriced, especially the ones up closer to the beach where u sit on mats
Out of a week in Kep only ate out once for lunch at on the of the small restaurants near the market,
the kids wanted pizza LOL
"We are turning into a nation of whimpering slaves to Fear—fear of war, fear of poverty, fear of random terrorism, or suddenly getting locked up in a military detention camp on vague charges of being a Terrorist sympathizer." HST
4 wks ago I paid $8 a kilo in Snooky for Blue Swimmer crabs, unsure if this was a good / bad price.
I refuse to go out with nothing more than a whimper followed by a small farting sound and a shit stain on my bed sheets..
Just thought I'd share that with you.
Just thought I'd share that with you.
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that's a good price, I wonder if the price is seasonal. I paid $11 4 months ago.scoffer wrote:4 wks ago I paid $8 a kilo in Snooky for Blue Swimmer crabs, unsure if this was a good / bad price.
I posted these in November. I like Baraka of the crab market places.
I will add I used to love Toucan until it was sold to locals. Now you get disinterested old hags watching Khmer soaps instead of granting a proper greeting at the front of the restaurant. And the fools sold the pool table.GMJS-440 wrote:For my very detailed reviews:
Sailing Club - great as always, of course extreme prices. The staff here is very friendly and seemed to love my son (or played it up for a tip!)
La Baraka - Best of the crab market places IMO. Crab was good. Owner seemed like a grumpy guy but I didn't attempt to speak with him. Misses claimed the price on the bill didn't agree to the menu but I did not verify.
Mr Mab- seems they have multiple locations so I guess it is successful. I found the decor to be nice but food average.
Breezes - The Baracuda tartare and Wine was very good. Plate of calamari was pretty small however it is a Tapas. Couldn't enjoy due to the mosquitoes defeating my defenses. Would return but maybe before the mosquitoes come out to feed.
Kep Coffee - Love this place for breakfast. Small menu but nice vibe and the cakes were awesome. Owners and family are good people and as an American it is good to meet some like-able Americans for a change.
Saravoan Kep Hotel http://www.saravoanhotel-kep.com/
Liked this place, great view. Not a fan of the stairs but I am a fat bastard and can use the exercise. Chatted with the owner a bit and he was happy to have recently received a notification about his work permit. The guy works hard at upkeep as I never saw him relaxing. Always painting, cleaning the pool working on plumbing, etc. I did wonder why he never asked his staff to do those chores.
"Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach. Those who can't teach, teach English."
Credit Jacked Camry & LTO
Credit Jacked Camry & LTO
One thing to keep in mind is that the price of crab can fluctuate wildly....esp. during holidays when it can double in price.
Last edited by LoneStar on Sat Apr 16, 2016 9:51 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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normalLoneStar wrote:One thing to keep in mind is that the price of crabs can fluctuate wildly....esp. during holidays when it can double in price.
supply and demand
also if ur standing behind ur khmer gf the price will be higher
and if ur a local the price lower
"We are turning into a nation of whimpering slaves to Fear—fear of war, fear of poverty, fear of random terrorism, or suddenly getting locked up in a military detention camp on vague charges of being a Terrorist sympathizer." HST
Phuket2006 wrote:normalLoneStar wrote:One thing to keep in mind is that the price of crabs can fluctuate wildly....esp. during holidays when it can double in price.
supply and demand
also if ur standing behind ur khmer gf the price will be higher
and if ur a local the price lower
My lass and her mum made the purchase in snooky and then crossed over the road to have them cleaned and cooked 3 different ways.
I just amused myself in the background whilst they finaliszed all this.
We also purchased 2 kilo prawns and headed to the beach with the billy lids.
Beach side shack + 4 hammocks + beer.
Everyone was happy, except for the white guy who got a bad case of sunburn.
I refuse to go out with nothing more than a whimper followed by a small farting sound and a shit stain on my bed sheets..
Just thought I'd share that with you.
Just thought I'd share that with you.
- LTO
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Not sure how much my presence affects the price at the Crab Market when the wife is doing the talking, but I do know that we consistently get better quality/bigger/meatier crabs and seafood when she is the one handling things there.Phuket2006 wrote:normalLoneStar wrote:One thing to keep in mind is that the price of crabs can fluctuate wildly....esp. during holidays when it can double in price.
supply and demand
also if ur standing behind ur khmer gf the price will be higher
and if ur a local the price lower
As for which place to eat, I haven't found the prices to be all that different from place to place (maybe I am not trying hard enough.) IMO, the nicer, cleaner, fancier places, especially those with foreigners involved, to fairly consistently provide average or slightly below average food in slightly smaller portions, often quite different than traditional crab market fare. I was particularly disappointed with the food at La Baraka, though I still like their bar. The setting is good and the food is okay at The Democrat, especially the snacks, but the staff is so 'friendly' as to be annoying. Sailing Club serves some fine food (and finer prices), but the place is a bit of a wank and could be anywhere in the world. The restaurant next to Mr Mab's called Phsar Kdam does a pretty good job for a slightly slicker place (with full bar) and bar style seats facing the ocean that most places don't have. Still, my favorite places are the old style mom and pop places - Srey Roth, Srey Neang and places like that. A much more local experience - very unsophisticated ambience, no full bar, very accommodating people, larger portions served in a traditional manner (soup still served in a large tureen instead of bowls,) and a very uneven dining experience ranging from really great to average, depending on their mood, the phase of the moon, your attitude...
On a non-seafood note, the upstairs restaurant at Brise de Kep at the beach intersection does a pretty good breakfast Pho with all the trimmings.
Last edited by LTO on Sat Apr 16, 2016 5:39 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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"Meatier" crabs in Kep/Cambodia? As in you get 60g of meat vs the usual 45g? I do find almost all the "straw mat" restaurants in Cambodia are quite overpriced.
Last edited by LexusSchmexus on Sat Apr 16, 2016 5:39 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- Phuket2006
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next trip i must get out of the house more for eating but my gf and her sister are just such dam good cooks LOL
"We are turning into a nation of whimpering slaves to Fear—fear of war, fear of poverty, fear of random terrorism, or suddenly getting locked up in a military detention camp on vague charges of being a Terrorist sympathizer." HST
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I have no idea how much more or less the meat weighs. I judge by when I crack it open, just how much meat I get out of a claw or leg or body. And you never really know until you open it. A claw that appears (to me) basically the same from the outside, one day will be full of meat and other days have much less inside. And when full the meat tends to be flakier and 'sweeter' as well. The crab market sellers seem to understand this quite well as we have had extensive drunken conversations about it. They tell me that the phase of the moon affects just how meaty it is. If I remember correctly full moon = meatless crabs and new moon = meaty crabs (or vice-versa.)LexusSchmexus wrote:"Meatier" crabs in Kep/Cambodia? As in you get 60g of meat vs the usual 45g? I do find almost all the "straw mat" restaurants in Cambodia are quite overpriced.
You have a house in Kep? Sweet.Phuket2006 wrote:next trip i must get out of the house more for eating but my gf and her sister are just such dam good cooks LOL
Can we all come around to eat crab and drink beer.
I refuse to go out with nothing more than a whimper followed by a small farting sound and a shit stain on my bed sheets..
Just thought I'd share that with you.
Just thought I'd share that with you.
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