The town of Kampong Thom is a familiar and well-known stop for travelers regularly connecting Siem Reap to Phnom Penh in either direction. Located equidistant from the two major cities, Kampong Thom, and more precisely the restaurants around the Arunreas Hotel, offer a wide variety of Khmer dishes. A welcome break for many regular travelers.

An unusual construction project is nearing completion on the roundabout facing the restaurants favored by Cambodian bus companies in Kampong Thom. A replica of the Independence Monument in Phnom Penh is about to be inaugurated. A sign of the increasingly touristy character of this place, naturally driven by the systematic stops of all tour buses connecting Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. You won't escape it. Whether you're heading to the temple city one way or the capital the other, you'll inevitably stop here, like an obligatory waypoint.

Authentic Cambodian menus!

After 2 or 3 hours on the road depending on your vehicle, hunger can really start to set in... The stop before Kampong Thom is mainly devoted to stretching your legs or using the restrooms. There's no time to sit down for a proper meal.

Once you arrive in the province that is home to the stunning temple complex of Sambor Prei Kuk, your driver will give you more time to grab a bite. In Kampong Thom, two options are available to you: sit inside the Arunreas Hotel restaurant, or cross the road to eat outdoors at a popular street food spot, though it offers a more limited range of Cambodian dishes. The comfort level isn't quite the same, but the quality of the food served is thoroughly enjoyable. Fried rice and noodles, loc lac, phlea sach koh, amok, and many other traditional dishes are available at both restaurants.

At 2 PM, both establishments begin serving the very famous Banh Xeo. These Vietnamese crepes accompanied by ground pork and fresh herbs are a real treat. In any case, you'll have plenty to satisfy your hunger and enjoy this break. If you meet fellow regular commuters on the bus, don't hesitate to ask them for their menu recommendations! They've surely stopped at this roadside spot more than once.