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In the market for an exceptionally wild and one-of-a-kind dining experience?
In Siem Reap, Cambodia, the Bugs Cafe is an eatery focused on bug-based cuisine.
Their menu contains various critters, including tarantulas, ants, scorpions, grasshoppers, and bug larvae. As an extreme option, they even offer a “Bug Mac” composed of insects.
We are going to give an account of what we experienced at the Tarantula cafe and the kind of expectations one should have if they visit there!
What is the concept behind the Bugs Cafe?
A French expatriate and a Cambodian cook teamed up to create the Bugs Cafe, a combination of the local Cambodian ambiance and the large number of tourists who come to Siem Reap each year to visit the renowned Angkor Wat temples.
For years, the Cambodian people have been consuming tarantulas as a delicacy, an unfortunate remnant of the time of the Khmer Rouge when food was scarce and the population was experiencing hunger.
Tarantulas are still consumed in this location, and it serves as an interesting experience for visitors.
Truly, is there any other establishment like this one?
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At Bugs Cafe, the menu offers a wide range of items for customers to choose from. Whether you’re looking for something hearty or light, there’s sure to be something to satisfy your hunger.
Below is a selection of items from the menu:
- Sweet Potato Cream & Bee Grubs: A velvety sweet potato soup enriched with coconut milk, curry, & bee grubs
- Feta & Tarantula Samosa Pockets: Samosa pockets filled with feta, garlic, parsley, spinach, & marinated spiders
- Insect Cheeseburgers: Burgers made from bugs served with sweet potato fries
- Tarantula Doughnuts: Whole marinated tarantulas presented with sweet chili sauce, homemade mayonnaise, & mango chutney
- Pan Fried Marinated Scorpions: Scorpions cooked in a pan with cashew nuts, garlic, parmesan, parsley, & basil
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The phrase “Hakuna Matata” is intriguing, isn’t it? For my meal, I chose a skewer with a large scorpion and water bug, as well as a tarantula donut.
The waiters were generous to let me buy one of each bug skewer and tarantula instead of the usual 3 of each, and I only had to pay half the usual amount. This was fortunate for me because I didn’t plan on eating 3 of these creepy crawlies back to back.
The waiters at this location are quite humorous and welcoming, so if you require any assistance with understanding the items listed on the menu, they can assist you in that regard. Additionally, they can ease your nerves when it comes time to consume those critters.
A plate of cooked tarantula and scorpion can be found at the Bugs Cafe in Siem Reap, Cambodia, with a bug kabob and a tarantula melt as part of the dish. Yum!
The tarantula had been soaked in a marinade and then encased in a tempura coating before being fried in oil. The experience was out of the ordinary, however, it wasn’t as disgusting as I had anticipated; the batter kind of masked the fact that it was actually an arachnid I was consuming.
I was unable to finish the scorpion as it was so unpleasant. The claws were particularly hard and felt like I was biting down on stones. Furthermore, the hairs on the scorpion’s tail were unpleasantly stiff.
I was not keen on sampling the oversized aquatic insect. When consuming a tarantula or scorpion, one can assert their daringness; however, there is no glory in declaring “I ate a water bug”.
A crunchy, yet satisfying experience can be found in the deep-fried tarantula. 
The Bug Kabob at the Bugs Cafe in Siem Reap, Cambodia includes a scorpion, spider, and large water bug.
The overall quality and maintenance of the restaurant were remarkable and the chefs certainly had great knowledge of their craft. The presentation and technique of the dishes were excellent. I might not need to come back for another visit, but the creativity of the recipes cannot be denied.
It is worth noting that if you are worried about the food choices in Cambodia while planning a visit, you don’t need to be concerned. Siem Reap has a good selection of typical dishes, so there is more than just creepy crawlies to sample.
I had my fill of bugs, so I went to Khmer Grill for a delicious meal with $1 beef kabobs and other tasty items.
The Cost of Items at Bugs Cafe
At Bugs Cafe, prices for food range from as low as $3 for spring rolls to as high as $27 for a bug platter. The dish I had was $9, as seen in the picture.
The Tarantula Cafe in Cambodia, like many other eateries in the country, accepts US Dollars.
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Methods of Reaching the Destination
At the heart of Siem Reap, Cambodia is the Bugs Cafe.
You can either walk or take a taxi to the destination. We prefer to utilize the Grab taxi application for traveling within Siem Reap.
What is the Operating Status of The Bugs Cafe?
I recently became aware that Bugs Cafe had a difficult time with the stringent regulations of the pandemic and ultimately closed in October 2020.
It is the wish of the proprietors of Bugs Cafe that this closure is only momentary, and it would be such a pity if this one-of-a-kind restaurant in Cambodia had to stay closed!
This page will be kept current with any new information that becomes available. For those still interested in consuming bugs in Cambodia, there are other options like the night market, yet it won’t equal the well-known tarantula cafe.
Accommodation
Our lodging during our vacation was a great place to stay.
Our accommodation for the night was the La Residence Blanc D’Angkor in Siem Reap. It was a 4-star hotel with the rate of $18 USD for a double room which provided all the necessary amenities such as air conditioning, a desk, fridge, wardrobe, and more. Additionally, there was a restaurant and a swimming pool on the premises.
I was really impressed by the hospitality shown by the staff, and the remarkable wall art depicting Angkor Wat really added to the atmosphere, like I was about to embark on a journey to explore some Cambodian temple ruins.
It’s important to be on the lookout for a good bargain, as prices can change on occasion.
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