You’re on the road exploring an exotic foreign country when you realize you’ve run out of clean clothes. You rush over to the local laundromat to get things sorted and end up spending a good portion of your day waiting for your clothes to dry. As you’re waiting, you realize how time spent sitting by the drier could have been time spent exploring a market or enjoying a cuppa at a local coffee shop. Ah, the joys of laundry.
In Siem Reap, this traveller’s conundrum has annoyed enough people to require a tailor-made solution. Never in all my travels did I ever think I would see washers and driers sitting outside a coffee shop worth its salt, then one day, I did. A laundromat, café, and bed and breakfast rolled into one, The Missing Socks is the answer to all of the weary traveller’s problems.
You may find the concept a little strange and perhaps downright bizarre at first, but when you think about it, it makes perfect sense. Rather than nod off in an uncomfortable plastic chair in front of the washing machine while waiting, why not pass the time by enjoying a cup of coffee?
Simple and clean, the café is the perfect place to kick back and relax as the machine spins on. Home to the 2016 Cambodian Barista Champion, leave it to The Missing Socks to make you one of Siem Reap’s best lattes. Using a blend of Thai and Vietnamese coffee, the shop proves that it doesn’t serve coffee simply for the sake of becoming a tourist attraction. They do coffee, and they do it really good.
Other than its unique combination of laundry and coffee, people flock to The Missing Socks for some fantastic waffles. Light, crisp, and served with a knob of butter and maple syrup, or with some fruits and ice cream if you’d prefer, their waffles are addictive. If waffles aren’t your breakfast food of choice, you can pick from an array of other dishes on their menu. Just looking for a snack? Ask the barista about what cake they’re serving that day and you won’t be disappointed either.
If you don’t want to haul your dirty laundry through the streets, consider staying at bed and breakfast upstairs. There, you’ll find two bunk beds, perfect for the solo traveller or a group of four. Say you get up in the middle of the night with a sudden craving to do the laundry, no worries, their laundry service is open 24/7. Super affordable at $3 for a 30 minute wash complete with soap and detergent and $1 for every 10 minutes of drying, you needn’t think about whether or not the wash is worth your money.
Jun, the café’s founder, is no newcomer to the world of cafés. Having previously opened a coffee shop called The Bold Lab in her native Malaysia, she packed up her gear and moved to this corner of Southeast Asia in search of a fun new adventure. Inspired by the interesting laundromat cafés popping up in Malaysia, Jun brought the concept with her to hot and humid Siem Reap. Since its opening one year ago, The Missing Socks has quickly become a favorite of tourists and travellers alike.
Travels are made more exciting by the prospect of finding something weird and wonderful and The Missing Socks definitely fits the bill. Sitting down on a comfy sofa, having a latte, and ordering a waffle, a great alternative to watching your clothes go round and round for an hour. Enjoy laundry duty at The Missing Socks, just be sure to keep an eye on your socks.
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Many thanks to Jun for the warm hospitality and amazing waffles!
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