18 TRADITIONAL SOUTH AFRICAN DISHES YOU SHOULDN’T MISS
One of the things to do in any country is to experience traditional food. So, trying traditional South African dishes is a must for every tourist. Believe me; it’s not just a meal; it is what is behind the meal. I mean, the recipe the taste and the added sauce. And in South Africa, the cuisine is a mix of African Indian and European. Also, you can try it at home!
By the time, many people from different races came and inhabitant in South Africa. As a result, they introduced their own original touch to the South African cuisine. In the end, we reach the oriental mix with the wild nature in the traditional South African dishes.
In this post, I will focus mainly on the traditional South African dishes, which you should try. Maybe it is challenging to try them all, but at least you should have an idea about it. Then create your own checklist of the dishes before visiting South Africa.
TRADITIONAL SOUTH AFRICAN DISHES
So now, let’s start with the dishes. Here I will give all the dishes with no particular arrangement so that you can make your own checklist
1. Kota or Bunny Chow
It is a fast food dish consisting of a hollowed-out loaf of white bread filled with spice curry. Bunny chow is mainly an Indian dish that was first presented by the Indian immigrants in Durban. Later on, spread to all coastline to reach Cape Town and whole South Africa. Bunny Chow is widely available both as street food and as a main dish in restaurants. But what makes it different and traditional? The answer is the spice curry and the flavor. Not only beef bunny chow but also you have other options such as chicken, pork, and vegetables.
2. Melktert
It is a Dessert time. Milk tart – or as locals call it melktert – is a pie-like consisting of a sweet pastry crust. The filling is creamy, and it is made of milk, flour, sugar, and eggs. The Africans like to finish it with the top dust of cinnamon. Also, it is good and light for breakfast. Milk tart came to South Africa from the European cuisine.
3. Chakalaka and pap
It combines vegetables such as carrots, peppers, onions, beans, and tomatoes into a usually spicy relish. Chakalaka and pap are usual guests on each South African dinner table. Mostly, Chakalaka is served cold beside a beef or chicken dish. On the other hand, pap means ‘porridge,’ it is a bland dish produced using white corn maize.
4. Biltong
Biltong is a slice of dry-cured and spiced meat similar to how indigenous South African tribes used to preserve meat. Usually, it is a snack in each South African family gathering. Also, chicken, ostrich, and wild pig biltong are available and in many flavors such as stew and garlic.
5. Bokkoms
We can refer to bokkoms as fish biltong. To make it clear, the small mullet fish is dried and left exposed to sun, and air then salted and eaten as a snack. However, it is not uncommon to be used in pasta and soups.
6. Droewors
Droewors are sausages but air-dried and are generally snacks. The meat is restored in a blend of vinegar, salt, sugar, and flavors, and left to dry. Droewors is one of the recommended healthy foods because it is devotees for its high protein and low-fat content. Same as Biltong, Sellers regularly include flavorings, for example, stew or garlic.
7. Boerewors
The word Boerewors has Dutch and Africans origin. Boer means Farmer and Wors mean sausage; Boerewors means “farmers’ sausage.” So Boerewors is a type of sausage made from beef mince, at least 90% meat. Meat can be beef mixed with a lamb or pork. Then it is cooked as a barbecue, or as South Africans call it ‘Braai.’ Boerewors are usually served in a coiled shape and in many flavors.
8. Shisa nyama / Braai
Shisa nyama in the Zulu language means ‘burn the meat.’ As family gathers. A barbecue party (braai in Afrikanis) to grill meat in an open fire is an African tradition. For instance, braai includes chicken beef pork and lamb with chili sauce. Not only the taste that makes it unique but also the gathering and the spirit.
9. Vetkoek
The word Vetkoek means ‘fat cake,’ and the famous Dutch oliebollen inspire it. As the name suggests, Vetkoek is fried dough-bread. Obviously, it is a traditional African dish, the favorite adds by the locals are both the sweet and savory toppings like chutney or minced curry.
10. Potjiekos
The word potjiekos means ‘pot food.’ As the name suggests, the food is cooked in an iron pot. Likely it is the best meal for dinner in South Africa; the ingredients include spiced mince, egg-based topping, and vegetables. Traditionally, raisins or sultanas are added to the mixture.
11. Samp
Samp is the dried corn kernels that have been stamped and chopped until broken. Later on, added to the rice and beans but not as fine as mealie-meal or mielie rice.
12. Malva Pudding
A kind of sponge cake, sweet South African pudding. Initially, it is imported from the Dutch cuisine. To clarify, Saucy apricot jam is poured on top of a spongy texture cake. Most people in South Africa prefer it with hot custard or vanilla ice cream.
13. Bobotie
At dinner time, bobotie can give you both warmth and power. The egg topping added to spiced mince. The taste and smell are irresistible. Same as with potjiekos, raisins or sultanas are added to bobotie. Alternatively, curry powder or dried fruits can be added and can be served with rice.
14. Koeksisters
A snack or dessert or at tea time, Koeksisters can always be the right treatment. Koeksisters are fried dough pieces to which the sugary syrup is added to make it sweet, golden color, and crusty. Surprisingly, some people like to add spicy flavor!!
15. Cape Malay curry
One of the dishes imported from Asia, this time a Malay dish. Since the 17th century, Malay curry was the favorite dish to the slaves from India, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Usually, Cape Malay curry is yellow rice beside the stew beef or chicken. Additionally, spices such as cinnamon, saffron are added.
16. Roosterkoek
The word roosterkoek means ‘grill cake.’ No wonder, it is traditionally a bread that is baked on a grid over the coals. Obviously, it is excellent as a snack and can be paired with jam butter or cheese.
17. Ugali
Now is the time for vegetarian food. Ugali is a white dough often used at breakfast. Also, has many names including “ngima”, “sembe”, “posho”, and “dona”. For instance, it can be served with vegetable salad.
18. Yellow Rice
Why not color up life? The yellow rice is more tasty and joyful because of the added flavors. Usually, the rice is cooked with cinnamon, raisins, and turmeric.
Finally, maybe you will not get the chance to try all South African foods, but at least it gives you a hint about the culture in South Africa. As mentioned earlier, most of the dishes are European in origin with an eastern chili flavor. I hope, by now, you have your own checklist of the traditional South African dishes to taste. If you got the chance to try any of these dishes earlier, please share your exercise in the comments. Also, if you believe that I missed any of the traditional dishes, please mention it in the comments. I hope all of you will enjoy these traditional South African dishes, Bon appétit.
Traveler78
Hello, My name is Yahya. I am 39 years old and soon will be 40. I was born and lived in the historic city of Cairo, Egypt. I Work as a doctor; cardiologist. Traveling is my passion. I am proud to be the owner and creator of Traveler78 website. If you like the material on my website, please subscribe to my website and share it with your friends. Also, you can follow me on your favorite social network. For further information, please contact me either in the comments or via E-mail.
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