From Crickets to Tarantulas: Exploring Cambodia's Fascinating World of Edible Insects

One of the absolute best snacks that I always recommend to friends visiting Cambodia is insects, which are typically sold in local markets, street food stalls, and certain Cambodian restaurants. While these insects might look squirmy, they're actually delicious when fried with spices—especially as an accompaniment to drinks, particularly beer. They're a perfect snack for gatherings with friends and family.

Insect consumption is widespread across Southeast Asia, with Thailand's northeastern region featuring bamboo worms and grasshoppers, Vietnam known for its coconut worm and cicada delicacies, Laos offering ant eggs and bamboo worms, and Myanmar famous for its fried crickets and beetle larvae street food.

Skun Spider Market

One of the most famous places to try edible insects and spiders in Cambodia is the Skun Spider Market, located in Skun, a town about 75km from Phnom Penh. Often nicknamed "Spiderville" or "Spider Town," this market has become a tourist attraction known for its deep-fried tarantulas (a-ping in Khmer).

The tarantulas are caught in the surrounding countryside and prepared by cleaning them and marinating them in a mixture of MSG, sugar, salt, and garlic. They are then deep-fried until crispy on the outside while maintaining a soft center. Locals claim these spiders have a taste similar to crab meat, with the abdomen considered a delicacy due to its soft, tender texture but for me it's more to the texture of chicken's liver.

The Skun Spider Market has evolved into a popular tourist destination, where visitors can experience Cambodia's unique culinary tradition of edible insects - not only providing income for local vendors but also serving as a sustainable food source rich in protein that supports small-scale farmers across the country.

Popular edible insects that you can find in Cambodia include:

• Crickets - deep-fried and seasoned with salt, chili, and lime leaves

• Tarantulas - deep-fried whole after being marinated in MSG, sugar, and salt

• Giant water bugs - often used to make nam prik (chili paste)

• Silkworms - fried until crispy

• Grasshoppers - fried and seasoned

Skun Spider Market

On your next visit to Cambodia, if you happen to see a street vendor selling these delicacies, try these protein-rich treats.