Going On a Street Food Tour in Ghana? Here Is What You Need To Do

By Charles Aboagye

Food is one way to dive into Ghanaian culture and truly experience it. Even better, street food gives you an authentic taste of Ghana and a street food tour is something you should include in your travel itinerary. While you can find street food almost anywhere, the most popular spots are Osu, Nima, Madina in Accra. Before you go tasting what Ghana has to offer, here is what your tour guide might not tell you.

1. Ask the Locals

Profit from the friendly nature of Ghanaians and ask questions about the food, its preparation, and some good locations to include on your food tour. Ask also about ingredients used to make sure you are not allergic to anything. You might even get some good recommendations! Ghanaians don’t gate-keep!

2. Keep Cash and Change

Cards and digital transfers are not popular among street food vendors in Ghana so you should bring along some cash. Remember to also break your bills into smaller denominations. It’ll make transactions faster and smoother.

3. Stay Street Smart

While you are enjoying the various delicacies, keep an eye on your bags, phones, and wallets. Like any other place, some people might decide to take advantage of foreigners and make a quick buck. Ghanaian street vendors allow haggling. Bargain with a smile and you might end up with a cool discount or extra.

4. Hydrate!

When going on a food tour, you should understand that there are different taste profiles and palettes. Ghanaians love their food spicy so always keep a bottle of water nearby for not only cooling down your temperature but also your taste buds in case things get extra hot!

5. Stay Food-Safe

Make sure the food you eat is hot and cooked fresh. Look for busy stalls; a lot of locals buying means it’s probably safer. Wash your hands and sanitize often. Street food can be intense, especially if you’re not used to it. Consider taking some anti-diarrhea medicine just in case. Better safe than sorry!

6. Enjoy the Experience

Street food is all about taking it easy. Enjoy the vibe, strike up a conversation with fellow foodies, and savor every bite. Learn a few basic local phrases like “Medaase” (Thank you) or “Eye sen? ” (How much does this cost?). Locals appreciate it when you make an effort to speak their language. These make the experience more personal and meaningful.

7. Mind Your Food Etiquette.

Ghanaians are very touchy when it comes to food and might take it personally when you do not follow the appropriate food etiquette. Do not smell food as it is deemed disrespectful. Also, always use your right hand to take food and never use cutlery for some foods like fufu. When in doubt, just ask respectfully about food etiquette.

Street food is not just about eating; it’s about experiencing the heart and soul of a place. Don’t be shy to try new things like kelewele (spicy fried plantains) or waakye (rice and beans) or Ghanaian snacks like nkate cake, and asaana. They’re to die for!