Popular SA food ranks among world's best sandwiches
Can you guess what it is?
There are few things as satisfying as meats, cheese, and basically anything you'd like stuffed between soft, delicious bread.
For avid travellers and sandwich lovers, CNN Travel recently ranked the world's top 25 sandwiches.
This list included sandwiches from across the globe and featured one famous South African food.
WATCH: Ramaphosa goes viral after tying child's shoelace
The renowned spatlo, more commonly known as a kota, made the list, reminding travellers to try this popular food during their next trip.
Watch Jacaranda FM's Breakfast with Martin Bester team taste test the popular kota:
Here are the 25 best sandwiches in the world:
Bocadillo de jamón Ibérico (Spain)
This is Spain’s answer to a ham sandwich, just way more stylish. It’s just crusty bread, a drizzle of olive oil, and top-quality jamón Ibérico from acorn-fed pigs. No extras needed; the ham does all the talking.
Torta ahogada (Mexico)
This spicy beast comes from Guadalajara. It’s pork in crusty bread soaked (literally drowned) in a fiery red chili sauce. It’s messy, hot, and absolutely addictive.
Tramezzino (Italy)
An Italian bar snack that looks like a tea sandwich but tastes like much more. White bread triangles are loaded with fillings like tuna, olives, eggs, or even crispy prosciutto with truffle. Best enjoyed canal-side in Venice with a drink.
Shawarma (Middle East)
Shawarma is meat grilled on a spinning spit, then shaved into pita and topped with salad, sauces, and spices. Every country has its twist, but the base is always juicy, flavourful meat and loads of delicious toppings.
Pambazo (Mexico)
The pambazo gets dipped in guajillo sauce, giving it a red tint, and is filled with spicy chorizo, potatoes, lettuce, cheese, and sour cream. It's bold, spicy, and seriously satisfying.
Bánh mì (Vietnam)
Vietnam took the French baguette and gave it a full-flavour makeover. Pork, pickled veggies, herbs, mayo — all crammed into crispy bread. It's fresh, crunchy, and has that perfect mix of East meets West.
READ: Seven small towns to escape the big city
Muffaletta (USA - New Orleans)
This New Orleans giant comes packed with Italian meats, cheese, and a chunky olive salad, all inside a massive sesame loaf. It’s big, briny, and full of flavour.
Chivito (Uruguay)
It’s steak, ham, bacon, cheese, lettuce, mayo, and a fried egg, all stuffed into a soft roll. It’s a meal and a half.
Pan bagnat (France)
Basically a French salad in sandwich form. Tuna, eggs, olives, anchovies, and crunchy veggies inside rustic bread, soaked with olive oil. It’s messy, Mediterranean, and totally delicious.
Smørrebrød (Denmark)
These open-faced rye bread sandwiches are Denmark’s pride. You’ll see combos like shrimp with lemon, roast beef with crispy onions, or egg and herring. Beautiful to look at — and just as tasty.
Spatlo / Kota (South Africa)
Straight out of Johannesburg, the spatlo is a hollowed-out quarter loaf packed with fries, cheese, polony, sausages, atchar, and more. It’s a street food favourite and a full meal in your hand.
Montreal Smoked Meat (Canada)
Montreal’s answer to pastrami includes thick layers of spiced, smoked brisket on rye bread with mustard. It's salty, tender, and a deli-lover’s dream.
Po’boy (USA — New Orleans)
Born during a streetcar strike, the po’boy is packed with fried oysters, shrimp, or beef, then loaded with mayo, lettuce, tomato, and pickles - all inside soft French bread. Crunchy, saucy, and pure comfort food.
Fricassé (Tunisia)
Think doughnut but savory deep-fried bread filled with tuna, potato, eggs, and olives. Often spiced with harissa for that North African heat.
Cuban Sandwich (Cuba/USA)
This pressed sandwich layers roast pork, ham, pickles, mustard, and Swiss cheese in soft Cuban bread.
Cucumber Sandwich (UK)
Soft white bread, paper-thin cucumbers, butter, and a touch of salt or herbs. It’s the ultimate teatime snack and classically British.
Chip Butty (UK)
This one is straight to the point. The Brits took fries and shoved them into buttered bread. That’s it - just carbs on carbs. Sauces that go well with this include tomato sauce or vinegar.
Katsu Sando (Japan)
Crispy fried pork cutlet in soft, fluffy white bread. Japan’s version of a takeaway sandwich, often with a bit of shredded cabbage and sauce. It’s simple and so satisfying.
Reuben (USA)
This grilled sandwich combines corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and dressing (Russian or Thousand Island) between slices of rye. Hot, juicy, and gloriously messy.
Croque Monsieur/Madame (France)
France’s take on a toasted ham and cheese (usually Emmental or Gruyère) sandwich, grilled and sometimes topped with a fried egg (madame style).
Philly Cheesesteak (USA - Philadelphia)
Thin slices of ribeye steak, melted provolone, and optional onions and peppers stuffed into a hoagie roll. Gooey, cheesy, and made to be eaten with both hands.
Broodje Haring (Netherlands)
Raw herring in a roll, usually with diced onions and pickles. Salty, bold, and a must-try for seafood lovers.
Falafel Pita (Middle East)
Crispy chickpea balls tucked into a pita with salad, tahini, maybe some hummus or chili sauce. A hearty, healthy, meat-free classic.
Choripán (Argentina)
Grilled chorizo sausage in bread with chimichurri. This is street food at its finest and is best eaten hot and fresh off the braai.
Lobster Roll (USA - New England)
Chunks of fresh lobster mixed with mayo and herbs, stuffed into a soft roll. Coastal summer vibes in sandwich form.
Tune in to the 'Breakfast with Martin Bester', weekdays from 06:00 – 09:00. Stream the show live here or download our mobile app here.
Listen to Jacaranda FM:
- 94.2
- Jacaranda FM App
- http://jacarandafm.com
- DStv 858/ OpenView 602
Follow us on social media:
Image: Pexels