Papua New Guinea
What to eat and drink in Papua New Guinea: dishes, etiquette and dietary tips
Try the traditional mumu feast, kaukau sweet potato, sago pancakes and coconut crab; if you prefer cheaper meals, town kai bars serve rice with stew for about 5 KG (≈US$1.30). Skip dishes with pork if you need halal, and avoid street stalls without visible cooking.
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GuidePapua New Guinea
Key facts
- Typical town meal costcheck
- 5 KG (≈US$1.30)
- Mumu price at a villagecheck
- 15–20 KG (≈US$4–5) per person
- Street food safety
- Safe when cooked to order and served hot; avoid pre‑cooked items left out
Quick answer
Eat mumu, kaukau, sago pancakes, coconut crab and fish in coconut cream. Town kai bars offer rice with stew for about 5 KG. Skip pork‑based dishes if you need halal. Street food is safe when you see it cooked fresh.
Must‑try dishes
Mumu – an earth‑oven feast of pork, chicken, sweet potato and greens wrapped in banana leaves (Highlands).
Kaukau – roasted or boiled sweet potato, the staple of the Highlands, served at every meal.
Saksak (sago pancakes) – sticky sago starch pancakes common along the Sepik.
Coconut crab (Kokonas kuka) – large crab steamed or grilled on the islands, a special‑occasion dish.
Fish in coconut cream (Pis long kokonas) – reef fish simmered with greens and coconut milk on the coast.
- Mumu – pork/chicken, veg ask
- Kaukau – veg yes
- Saksak – veg yes
- Coconut crab – seafood no
- Fish in coconut – seafood no
Typical costs
Town kai bars: rice with stew or fried chicken around 5 KG per plate (≈US$1.30).
Mumu at a village feast: 15–20 KG per person (≈US$4–5).
Coconut crab or fish in coconut cream at a tourist restaurant: 30–40 KG (≈US$8–11).
| Meal | Price (KG) | Approx. USD |
|---|---|---|
| Rice with stew (town) | 5 | 1.30 |
| Mumu (village) | 15‑20 | 4‑5 |
| Coconut crab (restaurant) | 30‑40 | 8‑11 |
Street food safety
Choose stalls where you see the food cooked to order and served hot. Avoid pre‑cooked items that have been sitting out.
Drink bottled or filtered water; tap water is not reliably safe.
Betel nut (buai) is widely chewed but not a food; it is safe to handle.
Etiquette and dietary tips
When visiting a village, accept the shared hospitality even if you are not hungry; leftovers are taken home by guests.
At a mumu, wait for the host to serve; do not take food before others.
Vegetarians can rely on kaukau, sago, taro and coconut‑based dishes; inform the lodge in advance.
Halal options are limited; choose fish or vegetable dishes and ask the host.
Gluten‑free travelers can safely eat sweet potato, taro, sago and rice; avoid scones and bread.
Questions people ask
What are the must‑try dishes in Papua New Guinea?
Mumu, kaukau sweet potato, sago pancakes (saksak), coconut crab and fish in coconut cream are the most iconic dishes across the Highlands, Sepik and coast.
How much does a meal cost in Papua New Guinea?
Town kai bars charge about 5 KG (≈US$1.30) for rice with stew; a village mumu costs 15‑20 KG (≈US$4‑5) per person; restaurant seafood dishes run 30‑40 KG (≈US$8‑11).
Is street food safe in Papua New Guinea?
It is safe when you see the food cooked fresh and served hot. Avoid pre‑cooked items left out and always use bottled or filtered water.
Can I find vegetarian options?
Yes – sweet potato, taro, sago, coconut‑based greens and many fruit dishes are naturally vegetarian. Tell your lodge in advance.
Are there halal meals available?
Halal options are limited; choose fish or vegetable dishes and confirm with the vendor. A small Muslim community in Port Moresby can help locate suitable food.
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