Lekker! 15 South African Delicacies Every Scot Needs To Try
Omar Malik
08/05/24
(South Africa’s National Dish. Image Credit: BBA Photography/Shutterstock)
Scotland and South Africa might not seem like the most comparable of countries, but they actually share many fascinating similarities.
Thanks to Scotland’s vibrant multicultural populace, you can hear people speaking in languages such as Gaelic, Mandarin, Urdu and Swahili as you walk through the streets of Glasgow.
This visible mishmash of cultures is similarly evident in South Africa, with Zulu, Afrikaans, Xhosa and Tswana regularly being heard while travelling through the stunning coastal city of Durban.
It must be said that both countries, despite their diversity, have a long and troubled history - mostly because of the impact of colonialism.
Yet this unique societal hodgepodge has led to both countries having so much more depth and historical weight.
As a mixed race person born in Scotland, my Zimbabwean Mum taught me so much about appreciating and recognising the importance of different cultures.
(Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. Image Credit: Eva Mont/Shutterstock)
Being bordered by South Africa to the south, Zimbabwe shares many customs with South Africa, while having its very own vibrant array of cultures.
A country’s culinary classics are often a reflection of a multitude of cultural influences. A key Scottish example of this would be chicken tikka masala - a curry dish which is a staple across Britain, with Glasgow’s South Asian community reportedly inventing the dish.
Within South African cuisine, the Cape Malay influence is undeniable - with an aromatic array of oriental ingredients encapsulating the variety of cultural influences.
Thanks to the input from my Mum Isobel, who was raised in Zimbabwe but also lived in Durban, Blether has compiled a list of the 15 most unmissable South African delicacies - that all young Scots need to try!
1. Bobotie
(Image Credit: Thao Lan/Shutterstock)
We have to start the list off with the country’s national dish: bobotie.
To some, it’ll sound unfathomable to combine chutney, mince, raisins and unique spices - topped with eggs - but it all just goes so perfectly together.
You’ll have to just trust our judgement on this one. It’s like a curry you’ve never tasted before, and rice makes the most perfect accompaniment for such a hearty casserole.
Top tip: Use the Royco sachet for the most delicious bobotie.
2. Biltong
(Image Credit: MD_Photography/Shutterstock)
If you like beef jerky, you’ll like biltong as it’s somewhat similar - only so much better!
The beef is soaked in a blend of vinegar and spices, before being air-cured to give it those unique, tasty biltong characteristics.
Depending on your preferences, you can even choose how dry or wet you want the biltong to be - if you order from a South African butcher that is.
Otherwise, you can find a variety of pre-packaged biltong packets across Scotland's supermarket shelves - as it has soared in popularity in recent years across the country. A truly moreish South African staple!
3. Koeksisters
(Image Credit: Aninka Bongers-Sutherland/Shutterstock)
Now onto our first sweet treat of the list. Imagine a sensational combo of yum yums, doughnuts and gulab jamun.
Then imagine these delightful desserts being formed into a cleverly-twisted light pastry; being lightly fried and soaked in syrup in the process.
That is the ingenious culinary creation that is koeksisters.
It's truly remarkable when you actually try them for the first time - just taking it out of the fridge and having the cold syrup ooze out of the koeksister with each bite.
4. Melktert
(Image Credit: Aninka Bongers-Sutherland/Shutterstock)
Continuing with another South African sweet staple, next on our list is melktert, or milk tart.
It's a cold, milky dessert made with pastry and lots of milk.
The consistency is again so unique, almost custard-like, with cinnamon gently sprinkled on top.
It's most certainly a firm family favourite that all South Africans love!
5. Durban Curry
(Image Credit: David Buzzard/Shutterstock)
If you're partial to a spicy dish, you've got to try Durban curry.
The dish, usually made with lamb or mutton, consists of a blend of curry spices with fresh and powdered chilli, as well as cayenne.
Another crucial component to the curry is its abundance of tomatoes and potatoes.
It's a rather fiery curry, but it's just so delectable (and amazingly colourful in appearance) that it's a must-try dish.
6. Boerewors
(Image Credit: Riaan Coetzee/Shutterstock)
Good old boerewors may be sausages, but they're so much better and tastier than most bangers found elsewhere.
Boerewors are made with thick, coarse meat (typically beef or pork), and the process consists of them being lightly spiced with the likes of nutmeg, cloves and coriander.
They have a uniquely chewy texture and richly dense meaty flavour - and boerewors cook perfectly on the braai (a South African barbecue).
7. Cape Malay Curry
(Image Credit: Fanfo/Shutterstock)
Next on the list is another curry - but don't worry, it's not as fiery as Durban curry for those who aren't keen on the spice!
Cape Malay curry is instead a sweet curry usually made with lamb, chicken or beef - with ginger and dried apricots being added to the mix.
The curry actually derived from 17th century Indonesian and Indian slaves who were brought to South Africa and influenced many of the country's most beloved dishes.
8. Bunny Chow
(Image Credit: Wesley Lazarus/Shutterstock)
Another dish brought over from 20th century Indian labourers was bunny chow - a scrumptiously filling curry which is still vastly popular today!
The curry is made with mutton and traditionally served in half a hollowed-out loaf of bread.
Bunny chow became regarded as one of South Africa’s most important culinary creations - as it was invented as a means of selling food to Black people in the country who were forbidden from dining in certain restaurants during the apartheid.
As the hollowed-out bread was essentially the plate, nothing was required to be returned following the consumption of the food.
The origin of the dish’s name is in itself a fascinating story. ‘Bunny’ derived from ‘bania,’ the merchant class of Indians who served the curry; while ‘chow’ simply means food.
9. Creme Soda
(Image Credit: AnEduard/Shutterstock)
The first beverage of the list is one that most Scots will be more than familiar with: creme soda.
But there’s a twist - this isn’t the clear-coloured cream soda that’s found in most stores in Scotland.
Instead, the South African variant is made by Sparletta and has a vibrant green colour.
It’s still a fizzy drink, but the unique and delicious sweet creamy taste differs greatly from the run-of-the-mill cream soda you can get elsewhere.
10. Fizz Pops
(Image Credit: African Vibe)
Lollipops are often fondly remembered as a childhood favourite.
But a particular brand of lollipops in South Africa, known as fizz pops, have been popular for decades - and are beloved by adults and kids alike!
Fizz pops each have a sherbet centre, and you can choose from a variety of fun lollipop flavours - with creme soda, cherry and cola definitely being the best.
11. Chicken Flings
(Image Credit: Foodology)
If you’re a fan of wotsits, you’re very likely to enjoy chicken flings by Willards.
Another delectable snack which has remained popular across multiple generations, chicken flings are enjoyed by kids and adults alike for their melt-in-the-mouth consistency and one-of-a-kind flavour.
They might be a corn snack and shaped similarly to wotsits - but rather than having a cheese flavour, chicken flings actually have a lovely chicken flavour!
12. Samoosas
(Image Credit: mohsin_gfx/Shutterstock)
Looking at the title of this next savoury delicacy may invoke immediate comparisons with samosas - which are widely popular across the world.
That’s because they are essentially the same food - just spelled differently in South Africa to reflect the Cape Malay origins!
A samoosa is a crispy pastry dish filled with fragrant minced lamb or beef, as well as various vegetarian options.
An especially delicious find is a samoosa filled with bobotie - two delicious South African foods rolled into one triangular pastry!
13. Nestlé Peppermint Crisp
(Image Credit: Candyland Sweets)
There seems to be an abundance of mint chocolate variants out there today, but one of the first to be popularised was Nestlé’s peppermint crisp chocolate bar.
The sweet treat comprises a layer of chocolate surrounded by crispy green pieces of peppermint candy.
The fun, interactive aspect of the chocolate bar comes from the peppermint candy occasionally making a popping sound in the mouth.
14. Krakelinge
(Image Credit: Olexandr Panchenko/Shutterstock)
An unforgettable addition to the greatest South African delicacies has to be the krakelinge - a homemade shortbread type of mixture which is rolled into strips before being formed into figure 8 biscuits.
My Mum vividly recalls having them at a friend’s house and not being able to get enough of them.
With their light, slightly crispy texture and delightful sweetness - it’s definitely understandable why!
15. Rooibos
(Image Credit: Lynette Knott Rudman/Shutterstock)
Last but most certainly not least has to be rooibos - a wonderful tea which originally comes from the Western Cape.
Otherwise known as redbush tea, rooibos is a feel-good antioxidant hot drink with some exquisite floral and honey flavours.
The nutritional benefits and unbeatable taste of rooibos has made it a favourite all over the world!
South Africa has so much to offer in terms of wildlife, scenery, diversity - and, of course, food. Blether hopes these 15 delicacies have got you inspired to try out some of the country’s beloved food and drink.
(My Personal Favourite Bobotie Made By My Mum. Image Credit: Isobel Malik)
I’d like to extend a massive thank you to Isobel, my Mum, whose culinary prowess and decades-long experience of South African and Zimbabwean culture helped me to compile such a list!