South Sudan, the world's youngest nation, offers intrepid travelers a unique opportunity to explore untouched wilderness and vibrant indigenous cultures. From the wildlife-rich plains of Boma National Park to the White Nile flowing through the capital Juba, this emerging destination rewards adventurous spirits with authentic experiences.
Top food tours
Guided experiences that show you South Sudan through its food.
Konyo Konyo Market Food Walk
Guided walk through Juba's largest and most vibrant market with a local food expert who explains the ingredients, vendors, and food culture of South Sudan. Sample seasonal fruits, roasted groundnuts, and sugarcane while learning about the country's diverse culinary traditions.
South Sudanese Home Dining Experience
Arranged through cultural tour operators, share a traditional meal in a South Sudanese family home in Juba, experiencing authentic hospitality and the communal dining culture that defines social life in the country. Share asida (sorghum porridge), fried tilapia, and groundnut stew.
Juba Evening Street Food Circuit
As the sun sets and temperatures cool, visit Juba's street food stalls around the Custom Market area and roadside grills serving grilled chicken, chips, samosas, and fresh fruit juices. A local guide navigates the safest and most flavorful stops in the city.
Juba Expat Dining Tour
Visit three of Juba's best international restaurants over an evening, sampling dishes from Ethiopian, Indian, and continental menus that reflect the city's cosmopolitan international community. Includes background on how Juba's food scene has developed since independence.
Tour formats
Different ways to experience South Sudan's food scene.
Street food tours
Guided street food tours around Konyo Konyo Market and Custom Market areas sampling local snacks, roasted groundnuts, fresh tropical fruits, and roadside grilled meats
Market tours
Guided tours of Konyo Konyo and Central Market with expert commentary on South Sudanese produce, ingredients, and trading culture — both fascinating and educational
Restaurant tours
Multi-restaurant dining tours covering Juba's diverse international restaurant scene from Ethiopian injera houses to South Asian curry restaurants and continental hotel dining
Specialty tours
Customized culinary focus tours including Nile fish cooking experiences, traditional fermentation practices, and sorghum-based food culture
Cooking classes
Take a piece of South Sudan home with you.
South Sudanese Home Cooking Class
Learn to cook traditional South Sudanese dishes including asida (sorghum porridge), groundnut stew (kisra wa mullah), and fried White Nile tilapia in a family home setting with a local cook. Hands-on instruction covers ingredient preparation, grinding spices, and traditional cooking methods over open fire.
East African Cross-Cultural Cooking
Offered through some Juba hotels and cultural organizations, this class explores the shared culinary heritage between South Sudan, Uganda, Ethiopia, and Kenya. Learn dishes common across the region and understand the food connections that bridge East African nations.
DIY self-guided food tour
Self-guided culinary exploration of Juba's diverse food scene — best done during morning hours when markets are active and temperatures cooler. The route covers approximately 3 km across central Juba.
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Stop 1: Konyo Konyo Market (7-9 AM) — Buy fresh fruit (mango, papaya, guava) and roasted groundnuts from morning vendors
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Stop 2: Custom Market tea stalls — Try traditional South Sudanese sweet tea (shai) with local bread at a morning tea stall
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Stop 3: Juba Central area roadsides — Sample mandazi (fried dough) and samosas from morning vendors
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Stop 4: Riverside fish market area — See fresh White Nile fish including tilapia and Nile perch at the morning catch
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Stop 5: Lotus Restaurant or Ozone Cafe — Sit-down lunch of South Sudanese specialties like aseeda with stew or grilled tilapia
Foodie tips
Get more out of every meal.
Always eat at busy, popular food stalls where high turnover ensures fresh ingredients — avoid anything that looks like it has been sitting out for hours
White Nile tilapia and Nile perch are local delicacies worth seeking out at riverside restaurants and fish markets — fresh fish is South Sudan's best culinary offering
Groundnut (peanut) dishes are central to South Sudanese cuisine — groundnut stew, roasted groundnuts, and groundnut paste appear across many dishes
Asida or aseeda, a stiff sorghum or maize porridge, is the staple food eaten with various stews — try it at a local restaurant for an authentic experience
Shai (sweet tea) is the national social drink and perfect for getting conversation started with locals — tea stalls are community gathering points
Be cautious about fresh salads and unpeeled fruits from street vendors — stick to fruits you can peel yourself or heat-treated dishes
Bottled water is essential with all meals — never drink tap water or accept ice in your drinks
Ethiopian restaurants in Juba (several exist near the Custom Market area) offer excellent value and familiar East African flavors for those wanting variety
Bring small bills in South Sudanese Pounds (SSP) for market purchases; USD accepted at restaurants but change is often given in SSP at unfavorable rates
Hotel restaurants (Radisson Blu, Pyramid Continental, Ozone Cafe) offer the most reliable food safety standards for travelers with sensitive stomachs