Underrated South African dishes tourists always miss
Which of these South African foods would you recommend to your overseas friends?
Some of South Africa's world-famous dishes include the bunny chow, dombolo, bobotie, biltong, chakalaka and boerwors.
However, many visitors to the country often overlook some other traditional foods that deserve the spotlight just as much.
A post on the Facebook group 'South Africans in Perth' recently asked people for their thoughts on some of Mzansi's most underrated foods.
Some of the dishes mentioned included peri-peri chicken livers, krummel pap, and samp and beans.
Here are some other underrated South African dishes that tourists always miss, but should try every time they visit.
Trotters and beans curry
Trotters and beans curry is a South African staple in many homes, especially during the cold winter season. There is nothing like wrapping yourself in a blanket and sitting on the couch with a bowl of comfort food. Lamb or pork trotters are slow-cooked with beans in a rich gravy, which can be served with rice, roti, naan, or a bunny chow.
Key ingredients: Sheep/Pig trotters, sugar beans, spices, ginger and garlic.
Kota sandwich
The kota, also called sphatlho or sphatlo, is made with several fillings, but the result is the same: a sandwich that will make your mouth water. It can be made as a sandwich with thick bread slices or as a hollowed-out bread like a bunny chow.
Kotas have become so popular over the years that food content creators like Kenneth Tebogo Middleton have put their own spin on the sandwich. Middleton decided to jeuge the traditional kota into a private school version.
Key ingredients: Bread, chips, polony, cheese, eggs, sausages, viennas, atchar
Pap en Sous
Mielie pap en sous (onion gravy or tomato chutney) is served with boerewors at South African braais. It is easy to make into a hearty, filling meal.
It is the perfect dish to welcome overseas visitors with, as it looks and tastes amazing. You can get them to try chicken feet on day seven! It will also feel familiar and comforting to some, as pap could remind them of porridge dishes such as American grits or Italian polenta.
Key ingredients: Boerewors, pap, chutney/gravy
Hertzogkoekies
Whenever people talk about South African desserts, the first things that come to mind are milk tart/melktert, malva pudding, and peppermint crisp tart.
In 2021, Oprah Winfrey celebrated Thanksgiving with a South African twist - bobotie and malva pudding.
However, one local dessert is often overlooked: Hertzogkoekies. Sometimes called Hertzoggie or Hertzog cookie, the traditional tartlet is filled with jam and topped with a delicious coconut meringue. They are usually enjoyed with a cup of Rooibos tea.
The bite-sized tarts are named after former South African politician J.B.M Hertzog, who is said to have been a big fan of the jam-filled, fluffy pastries.
Key ingredients: Dried coconut, eggs, apricot jam, caster sugar, flour, baking powder, butter
Vetkoek and mince
You can find vetkoeks, also known as amagwinya and puff puff, in just about every province in South Africa. The dough balls are deep-fried and can be enjoyed on their own or with fillings such as mince curry.
You can make amagwinya yourself or buy them from street vendors or grocery stores. Some people call vetkoeks "fat cake" or "fatty cake". Regardless of what you call them, it is hard to say no to the crispy, golden-brown balls.
Key ingredients: cake flour, dry yeast, sugar, salt, warm water and your choice of filling.
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