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9 recipes · South Africa

South African kitchen

9 South African recipes you can cook at home, from Bobotie, Bunny Chow and Cape Malay Pickled Fish to Malva Pudding.

9 recipes

About South African food

The South African kitchen

Sweet fruit, warm curry spices, grilled meat and maize all have a place in South African cooking. A Cape-style baked supper may pair curried beef with an egg topping, while a Durban bread bowl holds a thick curry. At a braai, smoky meat often shares the table with pap and a bright vegetable relish.

Start with onions, tomatoes, curry powder and maize meal, then add apricot jam for the sweet-tart notes in bobotie and sosaties. Slow stews reward patient cooking; quick relishes and chilled pickled fish make useful companions. For something sweet, warm sponge soaked in cream sauce offers a very different finish from cinnamon-coated pumpkin fritters.

Questions, answered

What foods is South Africa known for?

Bobotie, bunny chow, braai meats, pap, chakalaka and malva pudding are well-known examples. Regional and household traditions vary widely, so no single plate represents every South African table.

What is pap made from?

Pap is made from maize meal and water. More liquid gives a soft breakfast porridge; a firmer version is served with savory relishes, stews and grilled meat.

Is South African food spicy?

Some curries and relishes carry plenty of chili, while many stews, maize dishes and baked sweets are mild. Curry powder can add warmth and aroma without making a meal very hot.

What is a braai?

A braai is cooking over a fire or coals and also the gathering built around it. Meat is common, with sides such as pap, salads and chakalaka rounding out the meal.

What South African dishes can I make at home?

Start with Bobotie, Bunny Chow, Cape Malay Pickled Fish, Chakalaka and Chicken Potjiekos. Every recipe here is written for a home kitchen, with substitutes for anything hard to find.

What's the quickest South African recipe?

Pap (South African Maize Porridge), ready in 35 min.