A culinary stopover on the road to Siem Reap

The city of Kampong Thom is a familiar and well-known stop for travelers regularly commuting between Siem Reap and Phnom Penh in either direction. Located roughly halfway between the two major cities, Kampong Thom—specifically the cluster of restaurants near the Arunreas Hotel—offers a wide variety of Khmer dishes. It’s a welcome break for many seasoned travelers.

A curious construction project is nearing completion at the roundabout facing the restaurants favored by Cambodia’s main bus companies in Kampong Thom. A replica of Phnom Penh’s Independence Monument is about to be inaugurated. This is a clear nod to the touristic nature of the area, largely due to the systematic stop made by all long-distance buses traveling between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. You won’t avoid it—whether you're heading to the temple city or to the capital, this stop is practically mandatory.

Classic Cambodian menus on offer!

After two or three hours on the road—depending on the vehicle—your stomach will likely be grumbling. The stop just before Kampong Thom is usually reserved for stretching your legs or using the restroom. There's no time to sit down for a proper meal.

Once you arrive in the province that is home to the stunning Sambor Prei Kuk temple complex, your driver will give you a longer break to grab a bite to eat. In Kampong Thom, you have two options: sit inside the Arunreas Hotel’s restaurant, or cross the road to eat at the open-air street food stalls. The latter offers a more limited selection of Cambodian dishes and less comfort, but the food quality is still quite satisfying. Fried rice and noodles, lok lak, phlea sach ko, amok, and many other traditional meals are available at both spots.

At 2 p.m., both establishments start serving the very popular Banh Xeo. These Vietnamese-style crepes, filled with minced pork and served with fresh greens, are a real treat. Either way, there’s plenty to enjoy and enough variety to satisfy your hunger. If you happen to be riding with frequent travelers on the bus, don’t hesitate to ask for their opinion on the menu—they’ve almost certainly stopped at this roadside spot more than once.