If there's one cuisine that's been slept on, it's definitely South African food. Off the top of your head right now, how many can you name? We're guessing zero. But to help you jump out of your comfort zone so you can experience all the delicious foods the world has to offer, we're going to introduce you to 20 of the best South African dishes, desserts, snacks, and drinks that we know you'd love.
1. Biltong
If you love jerky, you'll definitely love biltong, a delicious South African cured and dried meat snack. At first glance, they may seem the same, but the flavour and texture are slightly different. Biltong is seasoned with plenty of spices and vinegar that make it a bit more acidic than your classic American jerky, and it's slightly softer too.
Delia du Plessis on Wikimedia Commons
2. Bobotie
You'll never have to worry about your food being bland in South Africa, and you definitely don't have to worry when it comes to Bobotie. This beloved South African dish features spiced minced meat that is baked with an egg-based mixture on top. It's a little bit sweet, a little bit spicy, but very very tasty.
Olga Ernst on Wikimedia Commons
3. Bunny Chow
Despite its fun and unique name, there's actually no rabbit in this dish. Bunny Chow is a popular meal in South Africa that features a hollowed out bread bowl filled with a rich and savory curry. Think clam chowder bread bowl but with curry instead! We can only imagine how delicious eating that curry-soaked bread must be.
Andy Li, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
4. Boerewors
It may be hard to pronounce for us, but Boerewors is a familiar food all Americans love. This traditional South African sausage is packed full of flavour. It's typically made with minced beef, sometimes mixed with pork or lamb, and tons of spices. Throw it on a grill and enjoy its bold flavours under the summer sun.
Andy Li, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
5. Malva Pudding
South African desserts are seriously underrated. Take malva pudding for example; it's a sweet and sticky pudding that's made from apricot jam and is drenched in an irresistible cream sauce. Just like American desserts, it's best served warm with some complementary custard or ice cream on the side.
Jon Mountjoy on Wikimedia Commons
6. Vetkoek
Vetkoek, also known as fat cake, is a traditional South African fried dough bread. It's exactly what you're picturing - golden on the outside, but super soft and fluffy on the inside. It's usually packed full with some curried meat, but you can also enjoy it on its own too.
7. Rooibos Tea
Rooibos Tea is definitely one of the more familiar items on this list, but did you know that it's native to South Africa? That's right, you have to thank South Africa for this comforting tea that's known for some amazing health benefits. Enjoy it with a splash of honey or lemon to really bring out its best flavours.
soultea.de/André Helbig on Wikimedia Commons
8. Koeksisters
Just look at how beautiful those doughnuts look! Deep fried until nice and crispy on the outside but warm and soft on the inside, these lovely plaited doughnuts are soaked in a sugary syrup that make them so addictive. It's the perfect sweet treat to enjoy alongside your afternoon tea or coffee.
Arnold Goodway on Wikimedia Commons
9. Milk Tart (Melktert)
The delicious sweets don't just stop there though! Melktert aka milk tart is another classic South African treat. You'll love it, especially if you love custard desserts. Baked in a flaky pastry crust, Melktert has got a luxuriously creamy texture and delicate sweet flavour spiced with cinnamon on top. It's a national favourite and it's not hard to see why.
DimiTalen on Wikimedia Commons
10. Amarula
Made in South Africa from the fruit of the marula tree (also called the elephant or marriage tree), Amarula is a smooth cream liqueur that's got a unique caramel flavour. It's slightly fruity too, making it something unlike anything you've ever tasted before. It tastes especially good when served over ice or mixed in with your coffee.
El Mono Español on Wikimedia Commons
11. Pap
Just think of pap as South African oatmeal. The big difference is, there's no oats in this dish! Pap is a maize porridge that's commonly enjoyed for breakfast. Because of its neutral flavour, it can be enjoyed either sweet or savory. It all depends on your preference and how you choose to flavour and pair it.
Edithobayaa1 on Wikimedia Commons
12. Chakalaka
If you want to make your pap savory, a great option is to serve it with chakalaka. Not only is it fun to say, this spicy vegetable relish is truly delicious. Typically made with tomatoes, beans, onions, carrots, and peppers, chakalaka is considered a South African staple. It's served with so many different dishes like meat, rice, bread, and so on.
philipp from cape town, south africa on Wikimedia Commons
13. Sosaties
No matter what country you're in, you can always count on their meat kebabs being delicious. It's just too hard to mess up! And it in South Africa, you're definitely in for a treat. Typically made with either lamb or chicken, the meat is marinated in a flavourful blend of spices, vinegar, and aprioct jam before being skewered onto sticks. They're then grilled to utter perfection, adding that delicious charred flavour to the meat.
14. Potjiekos
Translating to "small-pot food," potjiekos is more about the method of cooking than the dish itself. Cooked in a cast-iron pot (called a potjie) outside, a stew is usually made with a variety of different vegetables and meats.
15. Mealie Bread
Sweetened with sugar or honey, mealie bread is essentially a type of South African sweetcorn bread made from maize. When done well, the resulting bread is incredibly moist, sweet, and so tasty. It works great as a side dish to so many South African meals.
EAT&ART TARO on Wikimedia Commons
16. Boeber
A unique pudding dessert in South Africa that might feel reminiscent of South Asian desserts is boeber. Its base is a warm and creamy milk drink that's mixed with vermicelli and sago, and flavored with browned butter, sugar, cardamom, and cinnamon. With all those spices in there, you can only imagine how aromatic it is. There's just something really comforting and soothing about this sweet dish.
Craigfraser on Wikimedia Commons
17. Melkkos
Similarly, melkkos is another milk-based dessert that's considered a comforting staple in South Africa. By mixing together milk, flour, and butter, it's cooked until it reaches a thick and creamy consistency, almost porridge-like. Top it off with a spinkle of cinnamon and sugar and voila, it's ready to eat. It's served hot, making it a delicious treat during any cold day.
18. Frikkadel
Just think of frikkadels as the South African cousin of the classic Italian meatball. They're similar, but not quite the same. Made from minced meat mixed with breadcrumbs, onion, eggs, and spices, these can be either baked or fried depending on preference. To make it a full meal, serve it alongside some vegetables or salad.
Rainer Z ... on Wikimedia Commons
19. Braai Broodjies
If you love a good sandwich, you're definitely going to appreciate a good Braai Broodjie which is referred to as a BBQ toastie. It's a must-have food at any barbecue, often made at the very end. Really, you can fill them with whatever you like, but they're generally made with tomato, cheese, and onions. What you'll be left with is a shockingly delicious, gooey cheese sandwich that pairs amazingly with the grilled meats.
Dumbassman on Wikimedia Commons
20. Koesisters
Remember the beautiful plaited koeksisters from earlier? While they've got a cousin called koesisters. More or less a doughnut, these spiced goodies are deep-fried, soaked in syrup, and then rolled in coconut flakes until they're covered. While they are quite similar to the koeksisters, these have a bit more spice to them and tend to be softer in texture.
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