Food of Guinea-Bissau

Guinea-Bissau's food relies on rice, fish and cashew fruits, with palm oil stews and peanut sauces. Caldo de mancarra, caldo de peixe and jagacida are common. Cashews are a big crop, and the cashew apple is enjoyed as juice.

National dish

Caldo de mancarra

A traditional dish of Guinea-Bissau made with peanut, chicken, enjoyed at home and from local vendors.

Staples

  • rice
  • fish
  • cashew
  • peanut
  • palm oil

Signature flavors

  • palm oil
  • peanut
  • hot pepper
  • onion

Main dishes

Caldo de mancarra

A traditional dish of Guinea-Bissau made with peanut, chicken, enjoyed at home and from local vendors.

Key ingredients: peanut, chicken
Jagacida

A traditional dish of Guinea-Bissau made with rice, beans, enjoyed at home and from local vendors.

Key ingredients: rice, beans
Caldo de peixe

A traditional dish of Guinea-Bissau made with fish, enjoyed at home and from local vendors.

Key ingredients: fish
Cana

A traditional dish of Guinea-Bissau made with chicken, palm oil, enjoyed at home and from local vendors.

Key ingredients: chicken, palm oil
Arroz de cabidela

A traditional dish of Guinea-Bissau made with rice, chicken, enjoyed at home and from local vendors.

Key ingredients: rice, chicken
Cachupa

A traditional dish of Guinea-Bissau made with corn, beans, enjoyed at home and from local vendors.

Key ingredients: corn, beans

Breakfast

Pastel

A traditional breakfast dish of Guinea-Bissau made with flour, enjoyed at home and from local vendors.

Key ingredients: flour

Street food

Grilled fish

A traditional street snack of Guinea-Bissau made with fish, enjoyed at home and from local vendors.

Key ingredients: fish
Bolinhos

A traditional street snack of Guinea-Bissau made with flour, enjoyed at home and from local vendors.

Key ingredients: flour

Desserts and sweets

Doce de caju

A traditional sweet treat of Guinea-Bissau made with cashew, enjoyed at home and from local vendors.

Key ingredients: cashew

Drinks

Cashew apple juice

A traditional drink of Guinea-Bissau made with cashew apple, enjoyed at home and from local vendors.

Key ingredients: cashew apple
Ginger tea

A traditional drink of Guinea-Bissau made with ginger, enjoyed at home and from local vendors.

Key ingredients: ginger

Fruits and produce

Cashew apple
Cashew apple

Cashew apple is a well-loved fruit or crop in Guinea-Bissau, eaten fresh or used in juices, snacks and home cooking.

Key ingredients: cashew apple
Mango
Mango

Mango is a well-loved fruit or crop in Guinea-Bissau, eaten fresh or used in juices, snacks and home cooking.

Key ingredients: mangoFull guide →
Papaya
Papaya

Papaya is a well-loved fruit or crop in Guinea-Bissau, eaten fresh or used in juices, snacks and home cooking.

Key ingredients: papayaFull guide →

Dish guides from Guinea-Bissau

Mango
MangoFruits
Papaya
PapayaFruits
Explore Guinea-Bissau on Geographical EffectMaps, capital and cities, population, climate, landscapes and landmarks.

More cuisines of Western Africa

About this page

Descriptions written by Intercontinental Chef. Dishes are listed as commonly eaten today; many are shared across neighbouring countries.

Photo credits
  • Cashew apples: Abhishek Jacob, CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
  • Mangos - single and halved: Ivar Leidus, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
  • Carica papaya - Köhler–s Medizinal-Pflanzen-029: Franz Eugen Köhler, Köhler's Medizinal-Pflanzen, Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)