How to Eat Fried Tarantulas in Cambodia
Eating a fried tarantula in Cambodia is the ultimate travel dare. The town of Skuon (nicknamed "Spider Town") has been frying these eight-legged snacks since the Khmer Rouge era when protein was scarce. Today, it's a tourist rite of passage.
How do I Eat Fried Tarantulas in Cambodia?
Stop at Skuon ("Spider Town"), 75km from Phnom Penh on the road to Siem Reap. Vendors sell fried tarantulas for $1–$2 each. They taste like soft-shell crab — crispy legs, soft abdomen. Eat the legs first (crunchiest), then the body if you're brave.
Get to Skuon
Skuon is 75km north of Phnom Penh, roughly 1.5 hours by car. It's on the main highway to Siem Reap, making it a natural pit stop. Tell your bus driver you want to stop at "Spider Town."
💡 If taking a bus, ask the driver to stop for 15 minutes. Most are happy to wait — they stop here regularly.
Find the spider vendors
At the main intersection of Skuon, women carry silver trays piled with fried tarantulas. You can't miss them — they'll approach your vehicle. The market area has the biggest selection.
Choose your spider
Select a spider that's fresh (still hot) and well-fried (crispy, not soggy). The best ones have been double-fried for extra crunch. You can also find fried scorpions, crickets, and water bugs.
💡 Freshly fried spiders are crispy. Ones that have been sitting get soggy — ask for "hot ones."
Eat the right way
Start with the legs — they're the crunchiest and most palatable. Then eat the head and thorax. The abdomen contains a paste-like substance (organs and sometimes eggs) that's the most challenging part. Season with salt, sugar, and garlic.
💡 The legs taste exactly like soft-shell crab. The abdomen is an acquired taste — it's OK to skip it.
Celebrate your bravery
You did it! Get the vendor to take a photo of you holding a spider (or several) for bragging rights. This is one of Cambodia's most memorable experiences — wear it as a badge of honor.
💡 Tips
- • The tarantulas are bred on spider farms — you're not eating wild ones.
- • Allergic to shellfish? Be cautious — tarantulas are arachnids (related to crustaceans) and can trigger similar reactions.
- • Vegetarians: fried banana with condensed milk is the spider-free alternative at the same stalls.
- • The spiders are deep-fried in oil with garlic, salt, and sugar — think of them as crunchy garlic snacks.
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