Best Restaurants in South Sudan 2026

Asida/Aseeda

South Sudan's staple food — a thick, stiff porridge made from sorghum or maize flour, shaped into a mound and served alongside stews or soups. Eaten with the right hand by pinching off a piece and dipping it into the accompanying sauce.

Where to try: Any local South Sudanese restaurant in Juba; best at Lotus Restaurant or small local eateries

Price: $3-8

Nile Tilapia and Nile Perch

Freshwater fish from the White Nile, either grilled whole, fried, or cooked in stew. Nile perch is large and meaty while tilapia is lighter and more delicate. Both are excellent when freshly caught and represent South Sudan's finest culinary offering.

Where to try: Riverside restaurants and fish markets in Juba; Pyramid Continental Hotel; Bedouin Restaurant

Price: $8-25

Groundnut Stew (Mullah Fool)

Rich, protein-dense stew made from ground peanuts with tomatoes, onions, and sometimes chicken or meat. A cornerstone of South Sudanese cooking across all ethnic groups and one of the most satisfying dishes in the local repertoire.

Where to try: Lotus Restaurant, Bedouin Restaurant, home cooking experiences, market area eateries

Price: $5-12

Kisra Flatbread

Fermented sorghum flatbread with a slight tang, similar to Ethiopian injera but thinner and crisper. Used to scoop up stews and sauces. A traditional skill involving fermentation and specific cooking techniques on a clay tawa surface.

Where to try: Traditional home cooking; some South Sudanese restaurants in Juba

Price: $2-5

Shai (Sweet Tea)

South Sudan's beloved social drink — very sweet black tea brewed strong and served in small glasses. The tea stall is the social hub of South Sudanese public life. Often served with milk (chai wa halib).

Where to try: Tea stalls throughout Juba, Custom Market area, Konyo Konyo Market

Price: $0.50-1

Mandazi

Fried triangular dough pastries, slightly sweet and perfect for breakfast or a snack. Ubiquitous at Juba's tea stalls and morning street vendors. Best fresh and hot from the frying pan.

Find it at: Tea stalls and morning street vendors throughout Juba, especially near Custom Market

Roasted Groundnuts

Street vendors roast peanuts in sand over charcoal, selling them in small paper cones. An affordable and filling snack found at markets and roadsides throughout Juba — one of the safest street foods for cautious travelers.

Find it at: Konyo Konyo Market, Custom Market, roadside vendors throughout Juba

Samosas

Deep-fried pastry triangles filled with spiced meat, vegetables, or lentils. Reflecting the influence of Indian and Arabic communities in Juba, samosas are ubiquitous street food available throughout the day.

Find it at: Custom Market area, tea shops throughout Juba, roadside vendors

Fresh Tropical Fruit

Abundant seasonal fruits including mango, papaya, guava, pineapple, and sugarcane are sold at markets and roadside stalls. Best to choose fruits you can peel yourself for food safety.

Find it at: Konyo Konyo Market, Custom Market, roadside vendors throughout Juba

Konyo Konyo Market

Juba's largest open-air market where fresh produce, meat, fish, and food ingredients are sold alongside crafts and household goods. The best place to see South Sudanese food culture in action with vendors from multiple ethnic communities. Go with a guide and watch your belongings.

Hours: 6AM-6PM daily

Custom Market Food Section

The central market area includes food traders selling dried goods, spices, grains, and fresh produce. More urban and commercial than Konyo Konyo, with stalls selling both local and imported food products.

Hours: 7AM-5PM daily

Riverside Fish Market

Near the White Nile riverfront, fishermen and traders sell fresh catches including tilapia, Nile perch, and catfish. The best place to buy fresh fish directly from fishermen, freshest in early morning.

Hours: 5AM-10AM (freshest early morning)