Eat Scorpions and Crickets at Bugs Cafe in Siem Reap, Cambodia
Bugs Cafe is an "insect tapas restaurant and cocktail bar," the first of its kind in Siem Reap, Cambodia. What does that mean, exactly? The name says it all: you can drink cocktails and eat insects.
These protein-packed critters can be eaten à la carte or gourmet style, mixed into your favorite comfort foods.
Try tarantula donuts, the scorpion and papaya salad or the cricket silkworm wok. If you really want to try out the bugs but your traveling companion isn't feeling as adventurous, all menu items can be prepared sans insects — though where's the fun in that?
Although the cocktails are named in conjunction with the insect theme (who wants to down a Black Widow?), they are actually all insect-free, so you don't have to worry about choking on a surprise cricket as you drink your rum.
Before visiting, you can take a quiz on the website that will test your edible insect knowledge. You'll learn fun facts, like that 1,900 insect species are edible and that two billion people around the world eat insects on a regular basis.
Siem Reap isn't known for bug eating alone, of course. It's also home to the world-famous temple complex of Angkor Wat.
Angkor Wat
The largest religious monument in the world, this impressive temple complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that you absolutely can't miss when visiting Siem Reap. Passes are available to explore Angkor Wat for one, three or seven days, and you may recall seeing the famous Ta Prohm temple in the movie Tomb Raider starring Angelina Jolie.
Although you shouldn't miss seeing the sun rise over the famous temples with all the other tourists, try to get off the beaten path to see some of the more obscure and less popular temples. When you're exploring these ruins, climbing over the rocks and through the jungle without another tourist in sight is an unforgettable moments!
Where To Stay
Although Le Meridien Siem Reap, a Category 2 property is a little further away from center of Siem Reap, it is on the way to the Angkor Wat temples, making it the perfect, quiet spot for those wanting to to escape from the busy town and explore the ruins. Rates start as low as $90 or 4,000 Starpoints per night.
In contrast, the Park Hyatt Siem Reap is located near Pub Street in Siem Reap, close to all the action and more importantly, a one-minute walk to Bugs Cafe. Rates start as low as $153 or 15,000 World of Hyatt points.
Getting There
If you're coming from the US, you can fly to Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur or Singapore first. Then, you can hop on a short haul flight to Siem Reap (REP). If you're on a budget, try flying AirAsia, a low-cost carrier, or Bangkok Airways, a "boutique' airline.