Phnom Penh is still a small city by global standards. Current estimates put the city population at around two million. Compare that to over eight million for both Bangkok in Thailand and Ho Chi Minh City, just down the road in Vietnam.
But those on the ground will tell you that Cambodia’s capital is somewhat of a hub for regional migration. Many speculate that this is because the visa process is simple, the economy is growing, and daily life is super affordable.
Certain areas of the capital are emerging as enclaves within the city. Realestate.com.kh wants to give you a handy guide to these areas, and outline what housing in the area looks like.
So, here’s your guide to Little Tokyo, Little Seoul, Little Manila and Little Taipei in Phnom Penh:
Little Tokyo
This isn’t so much a single area as a single road. Simply start at the intersection of st 63 and st 466 just south of Mao Tse Tung and head north. You’ll see Japanese restaurants aplenty on either side of 63.
The restaurants have actually spread out through BKK1 in recent years. They were once all concentrated near the Japanese embassy, however.
Luckily, you can find great Japanese food here in every price range. If you want to spend a little more try Katanashi or Green Bowl. When looking for a quick noodle fix you can’t go wrong with Murugame.
Yuko, a Japanese expat who lived in the capital's BKK1, said Japanese restaurants were great if she wanted a little taste of home.
"The prices are quite fair so many of my colleagues also liked to go there, especially if they lived by themselves," she said, adding that her favourite places in the capital were Wako, Shangrila and Garaku.
Living here can mean anything from finding a shophouse for rent in BKK1 to a serviced apartment for rent in BKK1. A quick way to get started would be to start looking at real estate for rent in BKK1.
Little Manila
One of the biggest Asian expat populations in Cambodia is Filipinos. Many find opportunities here teaching English or working for regional companies. It’s no surprise that a few restaurants have popped up to satisfy their taste for home. Most of these places are clustered around the Toul Tum Poung (Russian Market) area.
Michael John M. Gonzales, the owner of the restaurant Mang Miguel Kainan, said the majority of his customers are Filipino expats. However, other expats also make up a larger part of their base.
“We’ve been running the restaurant since 2016. Initially, we chose this area because it is a well-known tourist spot. Over time we’ve seen it become more of an expat area because of its convenient location, and a great place to live,” he said.
Indeed, this area is known for diverse food offerings and it one of the most popular for expats. Housing options here are mainly shophouses for rent in Toul Tum Poung and apartments for rent in Toul Tum Poung.
Read our profile of Toul Tum Poung to learn more about the neighbourhood. Also, find out what you should be paying in our expat rental guide to Phnom Penh.
Little Seoul
Interestingly, Toul Kork has been deemed the Korean enclave in Phnom Penh. North of Russian Blvd there is a smattering of restaurants serving up Korean fare. These include Dae Jang Geum, Heng Heng, Goong BBQ and Hwaro.
Interestingly, Korean food may be the cuisine that has gotten the most traction with Cambodians. Some speculate that this could be due to the popularity of Korean pop music, television and movies that are popular among Khmer youth. In 2017 Phnom Penh even hosted a massive concert on Koh Pich Island given by CL, a Korean singer.
Commenting on Korean food in Phnom Penh, local expat Jihye Kim claimed that it varies a lot in terms of price and quality.
“Authentic Korean food is pretty expensive here. And the more affordable restaurants are catered more for local tastes,” she said. However, she noted that Heng Heng, in Toul Kork, was one of her favourites and quite affordable.
"When I first walked in there, BAM, I was back in my grandma's kitchen."
The fact that Korean restaurants have taken off in Toul Kork is a testament to the district’s status as a residential area for affluent families. As the middle class grows, more people want to live in quiet, secure areas which are still close to the city.
To dive further into this quickly growing area, watch our video about real estate in Toul Kork. Despite being more attractive to local families, there are still plenty of options for expats there. In fact, apartments for rent in Toul Kork, condos for rent in Toul Kork, and even villas for rent in Toul Kork can be found quite easily. Overall, rentals in Toul Kork are more affordable than those closer to the centre of town.
Little Taipei
There are tons of Chinese restaurants in the city. If you’re looking for hand-pulled noodles, dumplings or dim sum, there are many places you can find it. If you want a taste of Taiwan without getting on a plane, however, just head to street 225.
Just south of Russian Blvd there a stretch of Taiwanese establishments serving up everything from radish cakes and beef noodles to scallion pancakes. Big names are Qian Chao and Lo Kang Seav Chen, or Taiwan FamilyMart if you need groceries.
Just like Little Seoul, this area is in Toul Kork district, albeit the more central part. Rent here is usually significantly cheaper than in areas closer to the CBD. Read our Toul Kork guide to see what you should be paying. Apartments for rent in Toul Kork can start at around $300 per month, serviced places like condos for rent in Toul Kork can be found for as little as $700, and villas for rent in Toul Kork start at around $500.
Phnom Penh, an international city
Everyone knows about the Western expat spots in Phnom Penh. But travel a bit further off the beaten path and you’ll find that the city has tons of different cultures and cuisines. Visiting new and interesting restaurants is a great way to explore the city and try something new.
Keep exploring and you’ll find even more food from all over the world. Phnom Penh hosts people from Iraq, Armenia, Ethiopia, India, Nepal, and so many more places. And they all make amazing food.
No matter where you want to live in Cambodia, make sure you know what you want. Use one of our trusted agents in Cambodia to find a place that fits you best.
And, in the meantime, browse listings of expat rentals in Phnom Penh.
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