Africa · Traditional

South African cuisine

South African cuisine reflects Indigenous Khoisan and African foodways, Dutch and British settlement, enslaved communities from Asia, Indian migration and the produce of coast, veld and farmland. Braai, maize dishes, Cape Malay curries, township food and coastal seafood belong to different histories within the country.

Explore recipes Build a South African menu Wine pairings

Food history

Why South African cuisine is worth exploring

South African cuisine reflects Indigenous Khoisan food knowledge, Bantu-speaking farming traditions, Dutch settlement, enslaved and exiled communities from Southeast Asia, British rule and Indian migration. Few national cuisines show their history so clearly in a single table.

Why it is famous

The international reputation of South African food rests partly on braai, bobotie, bunny chow, boerewors, biltong, potjiekos, Cape Malay curries and malva pudding. Yet many of the most revealing things to cook are less famous: the soups, breads, vegetable dishes, preserves and regional meals that show how people have used local ingredients day after day.

Regional food story

Cape Town carries strong Cape Malay traditions; Durban is renowned for Indian South African food; the Karoo is associated with lamb; coastal regions bring abundant fish; township and rural cooking preserve important maize, bean and braai traditions.

How to cook it

Flavours, ingredients and menu ideas

Signature ingredients

Maize meal, beef, lamb, game, beans, chillies, curry spices, dried fruit, chutney, seafood and local greens are among the ingredients that repeatedly shape South African food. Their importance comes from how they are used locally, not simply from appearing in recipes, so regional technique and seasonality remain essential.

Cooking style

South African cooking ranges from live-fire grilling and cast-iron pot cooking to fragrant curries and baked puddings. Sweet-savoury combinations, spice and smoke often appear, but the cuisine changes sharply between communities and regions.

Build a menu

Choose one thread and let it lead: a braai with salads and maize sides, a Cape Malay curry meal, or Durban-inspired bunny chow. Add a sharp relish or chutney and finish with malva pudding or another homely baked dessert.

Starters Mains Desserts

Cook by course

South African recipes

Start with a starter, choose a main, then finish with a dessert to build a complete country-inspired menu.

Starters

South African starters

Biltong Platter

Biltong Platter is a South African starter centred on cured beef platter.

starter 22 mins

Snoek Pâté with Toast

Snoek Pâté with Toast is a South African starter centred on smoked fish pate.

starter 3 hr 25 mins

Mini Bunny Chow

Mini Bunny Chow is a South African starter centred on Durban curry bread bowls.

starter 4 hr 43 mins

Chakalaka and Pap Cups

Chakalaka and Pap Cups is a South African starter centred on maize pap with spicy vegetable relish.

starter 8 hr 6 mins

Bobotie Bites

Bobotie Bites is a South African starter centred on Cape Malay mince tartlets.

starter 8 hr 57 mins

Cape Malay Samoosas

Cape Malay Samoosas is a South African starter centred on crisp triangular spiced pastries.

starter 8 hr 57 mins

Peri-Peri Chicken Skewers

Peri-Peri Chicken Skewers is a South African starter centred on grilled chilli chicken skewers.

starter 8 hr 57 mins

Vetkoek with Mince

Vetkoek with Mince is a South African starter centred on fried bread with curried mince.

starter 8 hr 57 mins

Main courses

South African main courses

Gatsby Sandwich

Gatsby Sandwich is a South African main course centred on Cape Town sharing sandwich.

main 3 hr 23 mins

Kota

Kota is a South African main course centred on loaded quarter-loaf street sandwich.

main 3 hr 23 mins

Peri-Peri Prawns

Peri-Peri Prawns is a South African main course centred on garlic chilli prawns.

main 3 hr 25 mins

Pickled Fish with Yellow Rice

Pickled Fish with Yellow Rice is a South African main course centred on curried pickled fish.

main 3 hr 25 mins

Snoek Braai

Snoek Braai is a South African main course centred on apricot-glazed grilled snoek.

main 3 hr 25 mins

Bunny Chow

Bunny Chow is a South African main course centred on Durban curry in a bread loaf.

main 4 hr 43 mins

Cape Malay Akhni

Cape Malay Akhni is a South African main course centred on spiced rice and meat dish.

main 4 hr 43 mins

Cape Malay Chicken Curry

Cape Malay Chicken Curry is a South African main course centred on fragrant chicken curry.

main 4 hr 43 mins

Cape Malay Seafood Curry

Cape Malay Seafood Curry is a South African main course centred on gentle spiced seafood curry.

main 4 hr 43 mins

Durban Lamb Curry

Durban Lamb Curry is a South African main course centred on deep red-brown lamb curry.

main 4 hr 43 mins

Boerewors with Pap and Chakalaka

Boerewors with Pap and Chakalaka is a South African main course centred on grilled sausage with maize an…

main 8 hr 7 mins

Morogo with Pap

Morogo with Pap is a South African main course centred on wild greens with maize pap.

main 8 hr 7 mins

Bobotie

Bobotie is a South African main course centred on spiced mince bake with custard.

main 8 hr 57 mins

Braaied Lamb Chops

Braaied Lamb Chops is a South African main course centred on fire-grilled lamb chops.

main 8 hr 57 mins

Chicken Dust

Chicken Dust is a South African main course centred on charred township-style chicken.

main 8 hr 57 mins

Frikkadels with Tomato Gravy

Frikkadels with Tomato Gravy is a South African main course centred on South African meatballs.

main 8 hr 57 mins

Sosaties

Sosaties is a South African main course centred on curried kebabs with apricot.

main 8 hr 57 mins

Denningvleis

Denningvleis is a South African main course centred on sweet-sour Cape Malay lamb.

main 9 hr 16 mins

Mogodu

Mogodu is a South African main course centred on tripe stew.

main 9 hr 16 mins

Oxtail Potjie

Oxtail Potjie is a South African main course centred on slow oxtail potjie.

main 9 hr 16 mins

Potjiekos

Potjiekos is a South African main course centred on slow layered cast-iron stew.

main 9 hr 16 mins

Tomato Bredie

Tomato Bredie is a South African main course centred on slow lamb and tomato stew.

main 9 hr 16 mins

Umngqusho

Umngqusho is a South African main course centred on samp and beans.

main 9 hr 16 mins

Waterblommetjie Bredie

Waterblommetjie Bredie is a South African main course centred on lamb stew with Cape pond flowers.

main 9 hr 16 mins

Desserts

South African desserts

Koeksisters

Koeksisters is a South African dessert centred on plaited syrup-soaked pastries.

dessert 4 hr 54 mins

Peppermint Crisp Tart

Peppermint Crisp Tart is a South African dessert centred on no-bake caramel mint tart.

dessert 6 hr 20 mins

Melktert

Melktert is a South African dessert centred on cinnamon milk custard tart.

dessert 6 hr 22 mins

Amarula Cheesecake

Amarula Cheesecake is a South African dessert centred on cream liqueur cheesecake.

dessert 6 hr 25 mins

Cape Brandy Pudding

Cape Brandy Pudding is a South African dessert centred on warm brandy syrup pudding.

dessert 6 hr 25 mins

Hertzoggies

Hertzoggies is a South African dessert centred on jam and coconut tartlets.

dessert 6 hr 25 mins

Malva Pudding

Malva Pudding is a South African dessert centred on warm apricot sponge pudding.

dessert 6 hr 25 mins

Tipsy Tart

Tipsy Tart is a South African dessert centred on date pudding with brandy syrup.

dessert 6 hr 25 mins

Wine and drink pairings

What to drink with South African food

Use South African Chenin Blanc with Cape Malay spice and seafood, Sauvignon Blanc with snoek or prawns, Pinotage or Syrah with braai meat, sparkling wine with fried snacks, and sweet or fortified styles with sticky puddings.