Try these five dishes on your visit to this beautiful country:

– Bunny Chow: A SA360 favourite, this street food of Durban has become popular across South Africa originating among Indian South Africans of Durban. A Bunny Chow consists of a hollowed out loaf of bread, stuffed with spicy curry. Try chicken, pork or vegetarian varieties containing lentils and beans.

– Braai: For a real taste of South Africa you must experience an authentic braai (barbecue) offering an eating experience not to be missed. Local communities, friends and family often gather to share food at this social tradition during which food is cooked on a grill or braai over hot coals. Braais often offer a vibrant atmosphere, as guests listen to music and take their pick from the meat on offer, usually comprising of beef, chicken, pork, lamb and boerewors. In addition to meat, garlic breads, maize, potato salad, mushrooms and braai sandwiches known as braaibroodtjies (toasted sandwiches) are also commonly made, usually as side dishes, but also as a vegetarian meal. With South Africa being so diverse and having so many cultures, each has put their spin on the braai.

– Potjiekos: South Africans cook potjiekos (or pot food) in a round, cast-iron pot over a fire. It is cooked slowly in a cast iron pan over hot coals and is a fairly easy dish to prepare, even for someone who is not an expert. Traditionally made using meat and vegetables, modern variations have also become popular. Making potjiekos is a sociable and simple way to cook for a large group of people.

– Chakalaka & Pap: This is traditional South African dish offers a great way to be creative,  combines vegetables such as peppers, onions, carrots, chillies, baked beans and tomatoes into a usually-spicy relish. It is a staple that accompanies almost every South African meal. Pap, meaning ‘porridge’, is similar to American grits or polenta but smoother and is a starchy dish made from white corn maize.  Chakalaka and pap are often served together with breads, salad and stews and are a must try with braaied (barbecued) meat.

– Koeksisters: This tasty tea-time treat widespread throughout the country makes a tasty dessert. Made by frying platted-dough pieces, koeksisters become even sweeter after being submerged in a sugary syrup. Koeksisters have a golden, crunchy crust, a soft, doughnut-like centre, and are super sticky. The Cape Malay version, compared to the more common sweet version, is rolled in desiccated coconut, and it has a slightly spicy flavour.

These are just five of the numerous popular dishes that you will find in South Africa. If you are visiting South Africa do not leave without taking some time to sample the delicious local cuisine on offer, we guarantee you will not leave disappointed. Take a look at our EAT Local section where we have a list of Local Favourite restaurants and two EAT Local Experiences where guests can break bread with locals as their dine at their homes. To book an innovative EAT Local Experience or for more information on the best places to try local South African foods you are welcome to contact us.

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– Biltong & Droewors: Dry curing was a method used to preserve meat by the indigenous tribes of South Africa before fridges were invented.  Biltong is a delicious thinly sliced, air-dried meat which can also be flavoured with chilli or garlic, it is usually beef, game (such as Springbok) or ostrich. Biltong is best enjoyed with a cold beer while watching sport. Droewors an air-dried sausage and is traditionally eaten as a snack. The meat is cured in a mixture of vinegar, salt, sugar and spices such as coriander and hung to dry. The finished product is prized by health enthusiasts for having a high protein and low fat content.

– Bobotie: This is a dish that is thought to have been brought to South Africa by Asian settlers, this traditional Cape Malay dish comprises of lightly spiced minced beef or lamb topped with and egg and milk layer before baking until brown in the oven. You can add apple, raisins or apricot jam depending on preference as the sweetness works well with the curry powder and turmeric that lend the dish its golden colour.

– Boerewors: This is a very popular and delicious sausage dish in South Africa. This traditional thick farmer’s sausage is a staple at braais (bbq’s) and is great on a soft hot dog roll with fried onions and lashings of sauce. The sausage contains a mix of beef or pork and is full of spices such as black pepper, cloves, toasted coriander seeds, nutmeg and allspice. This delicious sausage comes in a big coil, which sizzles pleasantly when you turn it over with tongs on the braai.

– Bunny Chow: The bunny chow first originated in the Durban Indian community, this dish can be enjoyed for lunch or dinner and consists of a hollowed out half loaf of bread (normally white bread) which is filled with a curry. Durban is the place to try a Bunny Chow, with many restaurants offering this delicious dish.

– Vetkoek: Meaning ‘fat cake’ is a ball of dough filled and then deep fried in vegetable oil. Favourite fillings include spiced mince or polony for a savoury taste or syrup, jam and grated cheese for a sweet taste. This traditional dish can be considered a dessert.

– Gatsby: Originating in the Cape Flats in the 1970’s as an economical meal, this footlong filled roll is a street-food masterpiece. This sandwich is meant for sharing and is bursting with toppings, most often a combination of slap chips (soft fries often soaked in vinegar), Russian sausage, polony or masala steak, accompanied by atchar or peri peri.

– Koeksisters: These tasty and heavily sweetened dough treats are sure to satisfy that sweet tooth of yours. Koeksisters, of Afrikaans heritage, are deep fried, twisted pastries soaked in syrup. The name of the sweet treat is derived from the Dutch word ‘koek’ (meaning cake). Koeksisters are delicious and oh so sugary!

– Malva pudding: Many South Africans will tell stories of how their granny made this dessert with toffee sauce best. Malva pudding is a sweet, spongy apricot pudding of Dutch origin. A perfect treat for winter, this dessert is topped with a cream sauce, containing apricot jam with a spongy caramelised texture. Malva pudding is best served warm and many people enjoy it with either custard or ice cream.

– Milk tart (also known as melktert): This is a South African favourite especially as a soothing tea time treat. Pale, smooth and topped with a sprinkle of cinnamon, milk tart has a sweet pastry crust and a creamy filling made from milk, sugar, flour and eggs.

– Peppermint Crisp tart: This is not the most stylish dessert but it is delicious and a hit with the locals. Quick and easy to prepare as it requires no cooking, just layer biscuits, whipped cream, caramel treat and a Peppermint Crisp chocolate slab to create a creamy and rich dessert.

If you would like more information on local foods or sample packages showing how our newly launched EAT LOCAL Experiences can be incorporated into a package or if you would like to try our EAT LOCAL Experiences or Local Favourite restaurants, please contact us. 

The post A Sneak Peek at Some of South Africa’s Most Iconic Foods appeared first on Southern Africa 360.

Here is a list of 3 must-try local restaurants in Cape Town recommended by locals. Bon appetit!

Kalky’s Fish & Chips – Situated directly on the Kalk Bay Harbour, it’s all seafood at this beloved fish & chips mecca. Serving lunch, dinner, coffee and drinks, Kalky’s Fish & Chips restaurant is one of Cape Town’s most popular local eateries, the portions are large and the atmosphere is lively and unpretentious. From classic battered fish and chips to other local seafood favourites, this is a restaurant frequented by rich and poor alike. Enjoy a meal while watching the local fishermen bring their catches into the colourful Kalk Bay harbour, you may even spot a few seals playing in the water nearby.

Peacock Kitchen & Bar – An Indian restaurant and tapas spot situated in Observatory, a Bohemian-chic urban neighbourhood, the Peacock has a halaal friendly kitchen that caters to locals and visitors who fancy tasty food and drinks. The Peacock offers Indian inspired cuisine in tapas-sized portions making it possible to taste plenty of the dishes on their menu even when visiting in small groups, something most Indian cuisine restaurants do not offer. The fully stocked bar features wines from the Western Cape region, making it a perfect spot to stop by to try local wines or delicious Indian tapas food. 

Rare Grill – A small, hole-in-the-wall restaurant situated in Harfield Village in Kenilworth, Rare Grill offers some of the most incredible steaks in the Western Cape. This quaint, cosy eatery is warm and intimate with a candlelit dining room setting a romantic mood. The rustic wooden walls are reminiscent of a cabin. With a small and to the point menu, offering steak as the restaurant’s mainstay. Choose between superb cuts of sirloin, rump or fillet accompanied by your choice of starchy sides and sauces. There are other main options available such as spicy baby calamari, a whole peri-peri baby chicken or pork ribs. Booking is essential as they are popular and therefore regularly full.

If you looking for other local favourite restaurants in Cape Town offering anything from crispy battered fish & chips to healthy spinach based meals and delicious sweet treats, look no further then our list of Local Favourite restaurants to dine at on your next visit to the Mother City! Please contact us if you would like some more information on this unforgettable experience or some sample packages showing how this experience can be incorporated into a package.

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