Food & drink
Gunungsitoli Market
The island capital's busy market: tropical fruit, fresh and smoked fish, spices and street food.
A morning in town
Gunungsitoli is the island's main town, and its market is where the whole north coast comes to shop. Go early to see the fish arrive, taste fruits you have never seen before (try salak, rambutan and mangosteen when they are in season) and pick up spices for the kitchen.
Bring small notes: sellers rarely have change for IDR 100,000
Bargain politely and with a smile
Try a bowl of soto (spiced soup) or mie goreng at a street stall
Photo: Anggit Rizkianto / Unsplash Photo: Damar Handyanjaya / Unsplash Photo: Keesha's Kitchen / Unsplash
How to get there
Drive south-east to Gunungsitoli (about 50 minutes). The market is busiest early in the morning. Combine it with the ATM, a pharmacy and a coffee in town.