It’s my favorite day of the week…FOOD DAY! South Africa provides visitors a wide variety of food that will satisfy all taste pallets. Here is a list of foods you will want to try on your South African vacation.
Foods To Try
Porridge
Tarts
Bobotie
Vetkoek
Boerewors
Potjiekos
Biltong
Chakalaka
Malva pudding
Koeksister
Bunny chow
Mosbolletjies
Porridge
Phutu is a traditional South African porridge made by steaming maize meal until it develops a crumbly, grainy texture. It is one of the staple foods in the country, and it's regularly consumed by most cultural groups. When served, phutu is typically accompanied by vegetables, sour milk, beans, or meat.
Tarts
Melktert is an Afrikaner dessert consisting of a sweet pastry crust containing a custard filling made from milk, flour, sugar and eggs. The ratio of milk to eggs is higher than in a traditional Portuguese custard tart or Chinese egg tart, resulting in a lighter texture and a stronger milk flavour.
Bobotie
Bobotie is a well-known South African dish consisting of spiced minced meat baked with an egg-based topping.
Vetkoek
Vetkoek, is a traditional South African fried dough bread. The vetkoek forms part of South African culture. It is similar to the Caribbean Johnny cake, the Dutch oliebol, and the Mexican sopaipillas. The word vetkoek literally means "fat cake" in Afrikaans.
Boerewors
Boerewors, a type of sausage which originated in South Africa, is an important part of Namibian cuisine and South African cuisine and is popular across Southern Africa. The name is derived from the Afrikaans/Dutch words boer and wors.
Potjiekos
In South Africa, a potjiekos, literally translated "small-pot food", is a dish prepared outdoors. It is traditionally cooked in a round, cast iron, three-legged pot, the potjie, descended from the Dutch oven brought from the Netherlands to South Africa in the 17th century and found in the homes and villages of people throughout southern Africa.
Biltong
When you travel to South Africa, you'll probably notice biltong as a popular menu item, especially as an appetizer or snack. The practice of drying meat has been around for centuries, and its history can be traced to many different cultures. Biltong, specific to South Africa, was first created by the local indigenous tribes over 400 years ago. The traditional South African recipe includes creating a rub of rock salt, pepper, coarsely ground coriander, and vinegar. The meat is then air-dried and cut into thin slices and ready to be enjoyed.
Chakalaka
Chakalaka is a South African vegetable relish, usually spicy, that is traditionally served with bread, pap, samp, stews, or curries. The many variations on how to make chakalaka often depend on region and family tradition.
Bunny Chow
Bunny chow, often referred to simply as a bunny, is a South African fast food dish consisting of a hollowed-out loaf of white bread filled with curry. It originated among Indian South Africans of Durban.
Malva pudding
Malva pudding is a sweet pudding of South African origin. It contains apricot jam and has a spongy caramelized texture. A cream sauce is often poured over it while it is hot, and it is usually served hot with custard and/or ice-cream. Many South African restaurants offer it.
Koeksister
A koeksister is a traditional Afrikaner confectionery made of fried dough infused in syrup or honey. It should not be confused with the similar sounding Cape Malay koe'sister, which is a fried ball of dough that's rolled in desiccated coconut.
Mosbolletjies
If you want to enjoy your morning coffee or tea like a local when you are in South Africa, be sure to order it with mosbolletjies. This traditional sweet bread is very similar to a brioche, and its origins date back to French settlers in South Africa in the late 1600s. Mosbolletjies are made from the leftover grape paste that is formed during the wine-making process, which is why they are typically only made during the wine-making season. When you sit down for your morning coffee, be sure not to miss out on this novel South African treat!
If you want to indulge your taste-buds and try some of these amazing dishes yourself, click on the button below and I can help you plan your fantastic trip to South Africa!
Wanting to learn a little bit more about the cuisine of South Africa and its history, then check out our amazing South African Destination Guide.
South Africa