Top South African Foods You Should Explore On Your Visit

South Africa is home to many cultures and traditions. It is simply amazing how SA blends the different lifestyles and customs of its alien residents into her’s and resonates them at a distinct frequency of her own.

South African Cuisines proves the above to be true as it combines the attributes of the Dutch, French, and Indian cuisine, and makes them into palatable African dishes. South African dishes are mouth-watering and scrumptious. You can only really know after having tasted them. Hence, your visit to SA should include time made out for enjoying the cultural dishes of the state. South Africans are known for their meaty meals. A South African meal is incomplete without meat or game.

Braaing

South Africans are well known for their Braais, a South African social function somewhat similar to a barbecue, where friends and family members meet together to bond and blend. It has no specific time or place. They can braai in the afternoon, evening or at night.

It builds the perfect atmosphere for creating the right relationships. Meats of different types are provided by those attending, while the host, at whose place the braaing is held, does the roasting. The roasted meat is called Braaivleis.

This roasting “ritual” is performed by the men. The fire and the warmth it gives is an important part of this heritage. The fire doesn’t go out till the braaing ends, which could last for hours. But trust to find joy, happiness, companionship, rest, and peace that come from togetherness at such occasions. Do not leave SA without attending at least one braai.

Must-try South African Foods

If you do not taste these meals, you cannot truly say that you visited South Africa. Wondering what they are?

Boerewors

Also called the Farmer’s Sausage, boerewors is a South African sausage with its major ingredients being minced meat (beef and pork), spiced with coriander, black pepper, cloves, nutmeg, and preserved with salt and vinegar.

It is spiral-shaped and usually grilled outdoors. No braai is complete without boerewors. It is divine and a must-taste for you. You can also learn how to prepare it such that when you’re back to your country, you’ll have something delectable to share with your friends, family members, and neighbors. Take a part of South Africa with you as you return. It can be served with pap, a coarse cornmeal in porridge form.

Chakalaka

Chakalaka is a spicy dish consisting majorly of beans and tomatoes. It can be further spiced with green pepper, carrots, chili pepper, curry powder, garlic, thyme, nutmeg, onions, and cabbage. Either baked or boiled beans can be used though some preferably use baked beans because it’s so sweet. This meal is simple, delicious, and healthy.

It looks and tastes great. It can be served with South African cornbread, SA pap, or grilled meat. You’ll so love it. Your palate will sing out gloriously for you having given it the privilege to savor such.

Biltong

If you’re a meat lover, you’ll be glad you visited SA because every meal comes with lots and lots of meat. Biltong is an air-dried spiced meat with Dutch origins but fully adopted by South Africa and made theirs.

It is flat in form and spiced with black pepper, coriander, salt, and vinegar. It can serve as a snack which can be munched at a game or in the bus. Trust biltong to keep your mouth busy. It is easy to prepare but can be quite deceptive if you don’t know exactly how long you should leave it to dry. It is commonly made using beef but other games like ostrich can serve the purpose.

Bobotie

Bobotie is one meal that tastes better than it looks. It is made using minced meat, bread, milk, sliced onions, curry powder, butter, crushed garlic, chutney, apricot jam, turmeric, bay leaves, oil, eggs, and sugar.

Well, you might not be able to prepare this yourself, which is why you should feed your tummy with it before you leave the country. It’s part of the adventure. It is yummy and can be served with yellow rice. If you want to try preparing it though, it’s the utopian meal that gives you an opportunity to play around with spices.

Melktert

Milk tart is a South African dessert, a truly pleasant pastry made from milk, flour, sugar, vanilla extract, margarine, cinnamon, egg white, and almond extract. The finished product is topped with cinnamon. It’s an exquisite meal.

Malva Pudding

Also served as a dessert, malva pudding, a traditional meal made from eggs, flour, apricot jam, sugar, flour, baking soda, butter, milk, salt, and vinegar is an exquisite creation. It is topped with a sauce made with fresh cream, butter, sugar, and vanilla essence. The sauce is soaked into the pudding (oh mine!). It’s heavenly. It can be served with ice cream.

If your visit falls on the National Braai celebration period, be a part of it. Steak meat, beef, chicken, lamb, and game meat are braaied for the pleasure of all. Other foods you might want to taste include bunny chow (bread stuffed with curry which can serve as a simple noon meal) and Durban chicken curry (chicken simmered in spicy gravy. It’s so tangy).

South Africa will spoil you with the various dishes it has to offer. You do not need to be a tidbit worried as meals are delicious, yet healthy. So enjoy your journey through the largest city in the south of Africa while taking your taste buds on a jolly good ride.