Cuisine
South Africa
South African food is often called the cooking of the rainbow nation. African traditions gave it maize pap, morogo greens and amasi soured milk; Cape Malay cooks contributed gently spiced bobotie and curries; Dutch settlers and Afrikaners brought biltong, boerewors sausage and syrupy koeksisters; and Durban’s Indian community added fiery curries and bunny chow. The ritual everyone shares is the braai, meat grilled over glowing coals among friends.
- 8 dishes
- Main dishes: 2
- Snacks and street food: 2
- Sides, sauces and spreads: 2
- Desserts and sweets: 1
- Drinks: 1
- vegetarian: 4
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main dish
Bobotie
Gently spiced baked minced meat with dried fruit under a golden egg custard – a classic of Cape cooking.
-
snack
Bunny chow
A hollowed-out loaf of white bread filled with spicy curry – Durban’s cult street food.
-
snack
Biltong
Air-dried strips of beef or game cured in vinegar with coriander and pepper – the region’s favourite snack.
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dessert · vegetarian
Malva pudding
A moist apricot-jam sponge soaked while hot in a butter, cream and sugar sauce, served with custard.
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side · vegan
Morogo
Wild or garden leafy greens braised with onion and tomato – the constant companion of maize porridge.
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drink · vegetarian
Amasi
Thick, tangy, naturally soured milk that is drunk or eaten with crumbled maize porridge.
-
main dish
Mopane worms
Dried caterpillars from mopane trees, crunched as a snack or stewed with tomatoes and onion.
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side · vegan
Ugali
A firm, kneaded porridge of white maize flour – the everyday staple of meals across East Africa.
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