Cambodia expat blog: Cambodia travel tips, advice, and info

Review: CTT Transportation, Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh (and vice-versa)

Posted on May 26, 2016 by Sharlie and Ed

We’ve traveled the route between Sihanoukville and Phnom Penh and vice-versa several times now. Usually we’re firm fans of Giant Ibis, but, as they were fully booked this time, we thought we’d give a Sihanoukville-based travel company with a good reputation a go, CTT Transportation and Tours.

Hop a CTT mini-bus to Sihanoukville (or Phnom Penh).

CTT operate five mini-buses every day in each direction between Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville. They’re based in Sihanoukville, and with this many departures it won’t be long between they are a dominant player on this route. CTT operate from two offices in Sihanoukville, one on Ekareach Street and another on Serendipity Beach Road in the little block of stores behind Daily Mart, but tickets can be booked via local agents, we used Mottah Travel. Continue reading →

Exploring the Battambang countryside by bicycle

Posted on May 24, 2016 by Elisabeth Tuck

There are plenty of reasons to get out of the city and explore the countryside around Battambang. There is so much to see: the rural way of life in small villages, the rice paddy fields, and expansive stretches of open space that yield long and flat from the city to the horizon. The outskirts of Battambang are also dotted with some awesome points of interest, so you can most certainly do a bit of sightseeing along the way as well. I’ll start off with some recommended modes of transportation and move on to a few hot spots and suggested routes.

Moo! Get out of town and explore the Battambang countryside.

The best ways to get around:

In order to take it slow and have time to really enjoy your surroundings, I highly recommend taking a bicycle around some of the nearer countryside areas. You can rent one from a number of guesthouses and tour operators in Battambang quite easily for $1-2 per day. Cycling allows you to stop and enjoy the environment at your leisure, tailoring your own schedule and allowing you to really appreciate the journey. Continue reading →

Review: Mike’s Burger House, Sihanoukville

Posted on May 16, 2016 by Sharlie and Ed

In Sihanoukville a new place to eat is exciting news (well, for us at least!), so we were pleased to see the recent arrival of Mike’s Burger House. Phnom Penh expats have told us about the solid reputation of Mike’s Burgers House — they specialize in California-style burgers inspired by legendary American fast food chain In-N-Out — so we thought we should check it out for ourselves.

I hope you’re hungry! In-N-Out-style double bacon cheeseburger at Mike’s Burger House.

Located opposite the Golden Lions next door to Olive and Olive (and not too far from the recently expanded Ernie’s Burgers), the Sihanoukville branch of Mike’s Burger House is the 5th to open in the Kingdom following three in Phnom Penh and one in Siem Reap. Owned by Mike Im, a Cambodian who moved to the US after the fall of the Khmer Rouge, the restaurant seeks to recreate the burgers that he loved so much during his 30 years in California. Continue reading →

5 cheap and delicious places to eat in Battambang

Posted on May 13, 2016 by Elisabeth Tuck

Battambang is home to an astonishing range of restaurants, offering something to suit most budgets and tastes. You’ll find both traditional Khmer dishes as well as a host of international options, leaving Battambang expats spoiled for choice. If you are looking for something tasty and low cost, these are a few of the best places to dine in Battambang on a budget:

Cheap and cheerful Chinese noodles.

Lan Chov Khorko Miteanh/Chinese Noodle Dumpling

Located on Road 2 between Pub Street and Psar Naat, Lan Chov Khorko Miteanh — or Chinese Noodle Dumpling as it’s more commonly called — is a great low-cost noodle restaurant. The menu includes a number of delicious stir-fried and soup dishes made with their own hand-pulled noodles, as well as steamed and fried dumplings. Most dishes cost less than $2 and come with free jasmine tea. Portions are huge and watching the ‘Noodle Man’ prepare dishes at the front of the shop is one of the highlights! Continue reading →

Review: Irina Russian Restaurant, Phnom Penh

Posted on May 11, 2016 by Lina Goldberg

In case you missed it, Russian food is all the rage at the moment. Unfortunately, despite a not insignificant Russian population, there aren’t a lot of choices for exploring Russian cuisine in Phnom Penh. Luckily for us, Phnom Penh stalwart Irina Restaurant is still going strong, serving delicious Russian fare in their 10th location since 1999.

Irina Russian Restaurant is a long-time player in the Phnom Penh food scene (but that’s not a bad thing).

Irina Russian Restaurant has always deserved more attention than it has gotten, and been all but ignored by most non-Russian speakers. Over the years, the quality has waned and waxed, but the restaurant is now in the hands of Irina’s daughter Alina, who has brought renewed energy to the existing menu.

If you’re not used to Russian food, it’s easy to think it’s stodgy, bland, and homogeneous. But the food of Russia and of the greater region — which Russian cooks have adopted and adapted — is surprisingly flavorsome and diverse. This diversity is seen on the extensive Irina menu, which features both classic Russian and Ukrainian dishes, but also specialties from the former Soviet states, including Georgia and Uzbekistan. When we visited, we ordered five dishes between four of us, and after finishing, couldn’t resist ordering a few more. We liked it so much, in fact, that we went back again the next night. As such, I’ve now tried a large selection of the menu and feel confident in declaring that it is delicious. Continue reading →

Review: Da Matti? Italian restaurant and reggae bar, Koh Rong

Posted on May 8, 2016 by Cynthia Herman

On the 3rd pier closest to Koh Toch village is Da Matti? (the question mark is theirs), an Italian restaurant, formerly called La Mami, now under different, but still Italian, ownership. With the name change came the addition of a reggae bar, that incongruously compliments their menu of homemade gnocchi and ravioli, traditional Italian pastas, and interesting cocktails.

Sunset on the Koh Rong pier where Da Matti? is situated.

We chose to lounge outside on floor cushions at low tables further down the pier, although normal height tables and chairs are available inside and closer to the restaurant building. As the sun went down, a string of red, yellow and green string lights added a nice glowing ambient light along with candles on table. Da Matti? is centrally located but still far enough down the pier to feel peaceful, with only a low thud of music coming over from the beach bars — this is probably as romantic as Koh Toch restaurants get. Continue reading →

Fancy weekday breakfasts in Phnom Penh

Posted on April 29, 2016 by Jen Green

They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and my coffee dealer agrees. But it’s hard to manage a weekday morning when you are not rushing off to work or school or dropping the kids off…you know what I mean. In the hopes of inspiring you to take a day off for brunch, we’ve explored some of Phnom Penh’s swanky new breakfast spots.

So what if it’s a weekday? You deserve a beautiful breakfast.

The Tiger’s Eye

South African chef Timothy Bruyns is serving some favorites from Common Tiger’s brunch menu, along with some new Western and Asian breakfast dishes at the gastropub incarnation of his restaurant, The Tiger’s Eye. Braised short rib stirred through egg noodles and bok choy with a fried egg on top was excellent, with the tender meat holding itself together just until it’s inside your mouth. Scrambled eggs with toast and bacon isn’t fancy per se, but in-house cured bacon and fresh rye bread made this a satisfying plate, even if the eggs were a bit softer than I prefer. Continue reading →

Keeping fit in Battambang

Posted on April 26, 2016 by Elisabeth Tuck

Surprisingly enough there is no shortage of ways to get or stay in shape in Battambang. Whether it is more traditional means you seek or some fun ways to enjoy the local area while working up a sweat, you really just need to know where to start!

Quite possibly the biggest pool in Battambang.

Take a stroll down to the banks of the Sangker River at dawn or dusk and you will be intoxicated by the culture and community spirit that culminates. Whether running, walking, or making the most of the permanent work-out machines, there is no shortage of activities to help you keep fit. The best part about choosing this option, other than that it won’t cost you a single riel, is that you also get a great opportunity to interact with the locals. Additionally, dance workout groups run 6 to 7 a.m. and 5 to 7 p.m. on the Wat Sangker side of the river, offering low-cost (1000 riel) exercise groups with a really fun and social vibe. Continue reading →

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