South African Cuisine

27 dishes · Community built

South African Dishes

#1

Braai

South Africa's sacred ritual — a wood fire barbecue that is as much social institution as cooking method. Boerewors (spi...

#2

Bunny Chow

Durban's extraordinary street food invention — a hollowed-out quarter loaf of white bread filled with lamb, chicken or b...

#3

Malva Pudding

South Africa's great dessert — a spongy, sticky baked pudding made with apricot jam, drenched in a cream and butter sauc...

#4

Bobotie

South Africa's national dish — spiced minced beef baked with an egg custard topping. A Cape Malay dish reflecting the in...

#5

Pap en Vleis

The combination of braai meat and pap — a stiff porridge of ground maize — that is the everyday food of South African to...

#6

Waterblommetjiebredie

A slow-cooked lamb stew with unique South African water flowers, a Cape Malay specialty.

#7

Vetkoek

Deep-fried dough balls, crisp outside and fluffy inside, often filled with mince or jam.

#8

Potjiekos

A slow-cooked stew of meat and vegetables, traditionally cooked in a cast-iron pot over an open fire.

#9

Hertzoggies

Little shortcrust tartlets filled with apricot jam and topped with a chewy coconut meringue.

#10

Sosaties

Skewered, marinated meat grilled with a sweet-tangy apricot and curry marinade.

#11

Denningvleis

A tangy, spiced lamb stew flavored with tamarind and warm Cape Malay spices.

#12

Melktert

A creamy custard tart with a light cinnamon-dusted crust.

#13

Amasi

A traditional fermented milk, thick and tangy, often eaten with maize porridge.

#14

Koeksisters

Braided, deep-fried dough soaked in a cold sugar syrup, sticky and sweet.

#15

Cape Malay Pickled Fish

Fried fish layered in a tangy, gently spiced curry vinegar sauce with onions, served cold.

#16

Umphokoqo

Dry, crumbly maize-meal pap, cooled and eaten mixed with tangy amasi (soured milk).

#17

Frikkadelle

South African spiced meatballs, baked or fried, seasoned with nutmeg and coriander.

#18

Gatsby

A massive South African sandwich stuffed with chips, fried meat, and sauces, a Cape Town favorite.

#19

Snoek Braai

Whole snoek fish grilled over open coals, basted with apricot jam glaze.

#20

Boerewors

A long, coiled sausage made from a spiced beef and pork mix, traditionally grilled.

#21

Chakalaka

A spicy vegetable relish made with tomato, onion, and peppers, often including beans.

#22

Bredie

A slow-cooked stew of meat and vegetables, often mutton and tomato, simmered until deeply flavorful.

#23

Umngqusho

A slow-cooked samp and bean stew, a traditional Xhosa staple famously enjoyed by Nelson Mandela.

#24

Biltong

Dried, cured strips of meat, seasoned with vinegar, salt, and spices, eaten as a snack.

#25

Walkie Talkies

Grilled or fried chicken feet and heads, a popular and affordable South African street food.

#26

Roosterkoek

Bread dough rolls cooked on a grid over braai coals until charred outside and fluffy inside.

#27

Mogodu

A slow-cooked South African tripe stew, richly spiced and simmered until tender.

Help build South African cuisine on What To Eat

What To Eat is community-built. If you know South African food — dishes we've missed, better descriptions or authentic recipes — we want your knowledge.