Summary
Are you looking for one of the craziest and most unique dining experiences in Southeast Asia? This is the Bugs Cafe, an insect restaurant in Siem Reap, Cambodia that specializes in bug dining. Every item on their menu contains bugs of some kind – from tarantulas and ants to scorpions and grasshoppers. It’s a remarkable dining adventure, with items like the “Bug Mac” featuring insects.
What Is The Bugs Cafe?
The Bugs Cafe was initiated by a French expat and a Khmer chef, creating a unique fusion of local Cambodian culture and the growing influx of tourism from visitors to the renowned Angkor Wat temples. Cambodian locals have cherished tarantulas as a delicacy for years, a remnant from the challenging times during the Khmer Rouge regime when food was scarce. Today, indulging in tarantulas is a fascinating novelty experience for tourists. It’s a place like no other!
The Menu At Bugs Cafe
Here is a sample of some of the things on their menu:
- Sweet Potatoes Cream & Bee Larvae: A creamy sweet potato soup with coconut milk, curry & bee larvae
- Feta & Tarantula Samosas: Samosas filled with feta cheese, garlic, parsley, spinach & marinated spiders
- Bug Mac: Insect cheeseburgers served with sweet potato fries
- Tarantula Donuts: Whole marinated tarantulas served with sweet chili sauce, homemade mayonnaise, & mango chutney
- Pan Fried Marinated Scorpions: Marinated scorpions panned with cashew nuts, garlic, parmesan cheese, parsley & basil
While I was there, I ordered an insect skewer (which included a big scorpion and water bug) along with the tarantula donut. Typically, this would comprise three bug skewers and three tarantulas, but the waiters kindly allowed me to try one of each at half the usual price. It was a generous offering since I wasn’t keen on consuming three insects in one sitting.
The humorous and friendly wait staff can explain any dish on the menu, which makes the experience more enjoyable and less intimidating as you prepare to eat the bugs.
The marinated tarantula, coated in tempura and deep-fried, was surprisingly less intimidating than I expected; the crust masked the experience of eating a tarantula. However, the scorpion proved quite challenging; it was overly crunchy, especially the claws, making me feel like I was chewing on rocks. The stiff hairs on the scorpion’s tail did not help either.
Conversely, I had no desire to sample the enormous water bug. After all, while eating a tarantula or scorpion grants bragging rights, saying “I ate a water bug” isn’t quite as impressive.
The restaurant itself is well-managed, and the chefs clearly have a passion for their craft. Everything is prepared with care and creativity. Though one visit may suffice for me, I can’t dismiss their remarkable innovation.
If you’re hesitant about food options in Cambodia after reading this, there’s no need to worry! Siem Reap offers plenty of conventional cuisine that is just as delightful; it’s not all about bugs. After my insect-tasting experience, I sought out Khmer Grill for a satisfying meal featuring $1 beef kabobs and other tasty dishes.
Pricing At Bugs Cafe
The menu at Bugs Cafe features items ranging from $3 spring rolls up to a $27 bug platter. My meal, as shown earlier, was just $9.
Furthermore, like most restaurants in Cambodia, the Bugs Cafe accepts US Dollars.
How To Get There
Bugs Cafe can be found in the city center of Siem Reap, Cambodia. You can easily reach it on foot or via taxi. We prefer using the Grab taxi app for navigating around Siem Reap.
Is The Bugs Cafe Closed / Open?
Unfortunately, Bugs Cafe closed its doors in October 2020 after a year of facing strict pandemic restrictions. The owners mentioned that this closure may be temporary, and I sincerely hope that’s the case, as it provides such a unique experience in Cambodia.
I will continue to update this page with any new information. In the meantime, if you’re still interested in sampling bugs while in Cambodia, other options may be available, such as night markets, though it won’t be quite the same as the iconic tarantula cafe.
Where We Stayed
During our trip, we lodged at the 4-star La Residence Blanc D’Angkor in Siem Reap. It was just $18 USD per night for a clean double room complete with cold A/C, work desk, refrigerator, wardrobe, and more. The hotel also features an on-site restaurant and pool.
The staff was incredibly friendly, and I especially admired the vibrant wall art depicting scenes from Angkor Wat, which set a delightful atmosphere for exploring the nearby Cambodian temple ruins. Note that prices can vary, so be on the lookout for great deals.
