• Society

 A Mobile Belgian Bakery at the Sea

• By Teng Yalirozy
• February 15, 2024 2:10 PM

KAMPOT – Freshly baked and placed in order, many Western types of pastry are ready to serve locals and foreigners from dusk to dawn in the famous coastal province of Kampot.

From Belgium, Sandy Neirynck has run the bakery business — named Nom Tom Bakery — for six years of a nine-year stay in Cambodia. Having known a Cambodian friend who lives in Belgium, Neirynck decided to visit the country, which led to her stay.

Rich in nature with tranquillity and historical colonial buildings, Kampot province has captivated Neirynck’s heart, prompting her to establish the  bakery business with her friend who is a baker.

She runs her business in a trailer with a motorcycle, which is convenient to drive around to her business spot. 

Situated in the French colonial architecture area in Kampot city, Nom Tom Bakery, open from Wednesday to Sunday, is always packed with customers. 

Situated in the French colonial architecture area in Kampot city, Nom Tom Bakery, open from Wednesday to Sunday, is always packed with customers. Photo: Ky Chamna

“Before it was an existing business of a friend also from Belgium. Sadly, our friend died. Then I took over the business with a Belgian friend who is also a baker. The business started growing,” said Neirynck.

Her products include homemade bread, sausage rolls, croissants, chocolate rolls and other sweet and savory treats — the price ranging from 4,000 to 10,000 riel ( $1-$2.50)

Collecting her child from school at around 11am, a customer stopped her motorbike and bought two croissants. She is a regular whose favorite is a croissant, having the pastry as breakfast and a snack.

“What I like most about her bread is the distinct flavors from the pastry in the other bakery,” she said. “I have croissants and other types of bread almost every day.”

From Ukraine, another regular customer Sergii said her pastry is beautifully and freshly baked with the Belgian style which he liked.  Having been in Cambodia and stayed in Kampot for seven years, he is also a friend of Neirynck and supports her business. 

The southern province is packed with natural tourism destinations and historical buildings and has a gentle local lifestyle.  At 140 kilometers from Phnom Penh, it takes around three hours to travel by car on the improved National Road number 3.