South African cuisine is a delicious mix influenced by its colonial history. Guided by German, French, and British settlers, it has two main styles: Cape Dutch and Cape Malay. In Cape Dutch cooking, Dutch meat dishes get spiced up with flavours from Bengal, Java, and Malaysia. Cape Malay, shaped by slaves from Indonesia and Africa, brings in Islamic traditions and unique dishes. Today, South African food combines Dutch, German, Indonesian, and African flavours, creating European-style dishes with an exciting Eastern twist.
20 Must-Try Foods of South Africa
1. Bobotie
Bobotie, South Africa's cherished dish, is a flavorful blend of minced meat (usually lamb or beef) with curry spices like turmeric and cumin. Mixed with onions, milk-soaked bread, and dried fruit, it's baked with an egg and milk topping. Typically served with yellow rice, you can also make it with lentils for a meat-free option. With roots in Malay, the name "bobotie" reflects the word 'boemboe,' meaning curry spices. Dating back to a 1609 Dutch cookbook, bobotie is a sweet-tasting favourite often enjoyed with hot sauce, representing South Africa's diverse culinary influences.
2. Potjiekos
Potjiekos, meaning 'small pot food,' is a cherished South African dish—a hearty stew of meat and vegetables slowly cooked in a cast-iron pot called a "potjie." Layers of ingredients are left untouched until serving, preserving individual flavours. Oxtail potjiekos is a popular variation, often enjoyed during family gatherings.
3. Biltong & Droewors
Biltong and droewors, traditional South African snacks, are thinly sliced air-dried meats from beef or game-like springbok. Seasoned with vinegar, salt, sugar, and spices, they offer a high-protein, low-fat option with modern twists like chilli or garlic flavours. Biltong, Dutch for "meat strip," comes in variations like beef, chicken, or game—ideal as snacks or in dishes like potjiekos. Originating in Zimbabwe, Namibia, and South Africa, biltong has creative versions like chicken and venison, featuring unique flavours of black pepper, coriander, vinegar, and raw meat, sometimes used in soups and stews.
4. Boerewors
Boerewors, a beloved South African sausage, blends beef, pork or lamb, and spices. Traditionally cooked on a barbecue, its name combines "boer" (farmer) and "wors" (sausage). A South African staple, boerewors must have at least 90% meat, flavoured with spices like cloves, nutmeg, and coriander. Often enjoyed at braais with side dishes like roosterkoek, this thick sausage holds cultural significance, originating in both South Africa and Zimbabwe, and is a must-have for every braai.
5. Cape Malay Curry
Cape Malay curry, born in the 17th century when Dutch and French settlers brought spices from Indonesia, India, and Malaysia to Cape Town, features aromatic spices like cinnamon, saffron, turmeric, and chilli. This flavorful blend, combined with local produce, creates fragrant curries and stews that are still loved in the region, showcasing South Africa's diverse culinary heritage.
6. Malva Pudding
Malva pudding, akin to sticky toffee pudding, is a sweet South African dessert. With an apricot jam-infused sponge and a creamy sauce, it's a moist delight with Dutch origins. Perfect for Sunday lunches, the sponge is bathed in a hot sauce made from cream, butter, sugar, and vanilla. Its name, possibly from Afrikaans malvalekker, hints at a marshmallow-like texture. Often served with ice cream or custard, it's a delectable and indulgent treat.
7. Chakalaka & Pap
Chakalaka and pap, staple South African dishes, present a flavorful pairing. Chakalaka, a lively vegetable dish, combines onions, tomatoes, peppers, carrots, beans, and spices for a zesty kick, best enjoyed cold. Paired with pap, a starchy dish from white corn maize, akin to American grits, this dynamic duo elevates the dining experience, often accompanying braaied meat, bread, salad, and stews on South African tables.
8. Braai/Shisa Nyama
Braai or shisa nyama ('burn the meat' in Zulu) is an authentic South African culinary tradition originating in Johannesburg townships. Typically held on weekends, these communal gatherings involve grilling a variety of meats, including beef, chicken, pork, lamb, and sausages. Participants enjoy a vibrant atmosphere, music, and the opportunity to share food in a communal setting.
9. Bunny Chow
Bunny chow, a popular South African street food, originated in Durban. It involves hollowing out loaves of bread and filling them with delicious curry, with variations like chicken, pork, and vegetarian options. This delightful dish has expanded beyond its Durban roots and is now available in Indian restaurants across South Africa.
10. Amarula Don Pedro
Amarula Don Pedro is a delicious South African co*cktail that combines Amarula liqueur with vanilla ice cream and a splash of whiskey. This smooth blend offers a perfect mix of sweetness and warmth, making it a favourite treat for enjoying the unique flavours of South Africa. You can find it in bars or easily make it at home with a bottle of Amarula.
11. Melktert
Melktert, a favourite South African dessert, is like a sweet pastry filled with a creamy mix of milk, eggs, sugar, and flour, topped with cinnamon. It's a comforting treat enjoyed as a dessert or a delightful snack during tea time, appreciated for its delicious taste and wide popularity.
12. Vetkoek
Vetkoek, meaning 'fat cake' in Afrikaans, is a delicious South African treat. These fried dough balls have a crispy outside and a fluffy inside. You can enjoy them with various toppings, like cheese or honey. Street vendors often sell vetkoek filled with tasty curried beef mince.
13. Sosatie
Sosatie is a popular South African dish often cooked on the grill. It involves skewering and grilling marinated meat, usually lamb or mutton, on sticks. The name, originating from Cape Malay, refers to skewered meat with a spicy sauce. The marinade includes ingredients like onions, garlic, chilli pepper, curry leaves, and tamarind juice. The dish reflects the Cape Malay influence on South African culinary traditions, with its unique blend of flavours and grilling techniques.
14. Koeksisters
Koeksister is a popular South African sweet made from twisted fried dough coated in sweet syrup. Whether in the traditional form or the Cape Malay version with cinnamon or coconut, it's a must-try treat found in street food stalls and supermarkets across the country. The name comes from the Dutch word "koek," meaning cake.
15. Bokkoms
Bokkoms, popular on South Africa's west coast, are salted and knotted mullets left to dry. This fish delicacy, similar to fish biltong, is sun-dried and occasionally smoked, appealing to seafood enthusiasts. Though not a snack for everyone, it makes a distinctive addition to meals like pasta and soups.
16. Gatsby
Gatsby is a giant foot-long roll which is a street food of South Africa. The roll is bursting with soft fries soaked in vinegar, egg, spiced steak, sausage, and peri peri. If you are in South Africa, then you must try this legendary roll to satiate your hunger.
17. Pap En Sous
Pap, a South African staple made from ground maize, can be enjoyed in different ways, such as porridge, ball-shaped with sous (a tomato and onion sauce), or served as wedges with fried eggs in modern restaurants. The versatility of maize in South African cuisine allows for traditional and contemporary variations of this dish.
18. Snoek
Snoek, a type of mackerel abundant in South African waters, offers a delightful taste though it can be a bit challenging to eat. Typically enjoyed as battered fish alongside French fries, snoek is a local delicacy worth trying if you're exploring South African cuisine.
19. Peppermint Crisp Tart
Peppermint Crisp Tart is a cherished dessert in South Africa, known for its simplicity. This no-cook pudding comprises layers of biscuits, caramel treats, whipped cream, and thin peppermint chocolate bars. It's a must-try treat in South African cuisine.
20. Denningvleis
Denningvleis, an ancient South African dish, is a sweet and sour stew with a unique blend of tamarind and spices. Slow-cooked to perfection, you can still savour this traditional Cape Malay delicacy at restaurants like Bo-Kaap Kombuis in Cape Town.
South African cuisine is a colourful blend of diverse and tasty dishes, ranging from street food classics like bunny chow and Gatsby to traditional favourites such as bobotie and melktert. Each dish carries a piece of the nation's history and cultural richness. Whether enjoying the aromatic flavours of Cape Malay cuisine or partaking in a braai, South African foods showcase a distinct culinary identity that embraces diversity.
