The Best South African Foods to try as a Backpacker

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South African cuisine is a mix from cultures all over the world resulting in some unique flavours and dishes that have to be tried on your backpacking trip through the country.

South African food is a blend of different cultures, resulting in a unique and flavorful cuisine that is sure to wet your appetite whilst on your backpacking trip to South Africa. As a backpacker in South Africa, trying out the local cuisine is a must. Here are a selection of some of the best South African foods that you should try:

1. Braai: Braai, referred to as barbeque in other countries, is a South African weekend tradition and a favorite South African food. This is a traditional social gathering around a fire where friends and family grill and cook various meats, such as boerewors (a local South African sausage), lamb chops, and sosaties (skewered meat and vegetables). It’s served with pap, a type of porridge made from maize meal and sauce. A definite must do in South Africa!

2. Bobotie: Bobotie is a traditional South African dish which originates from the Cape Malay community and is made with curried minced meat and gets baked with an egg-based topping. It’s often served with yellow rice and chutney. This South African food beautifully demonstrates the mix of cultures within SA.

3. Biltong: Biltong is a popular South African food made from cured and dried meat. Comparable to beef jerky, it has a distinct flavor from the coriander seeds used in the curing process. It’s a convenient snack for backpackers to carry with them on their travels and originates from the voortrekkers when they needed to preserve meats during their long travels across the country.

So many different choices of biltong available at a supermarket in South Africa, sliced, sticks, flavoured or plain it's a must try!

So many different choices of biltong available at a supermarket in South Africa, sliced, sticks, flavoured or plain it’s a must try South African food!

South African potjie pot with stew

South African Potjie Kos, a hearty oxtail and vegetable stew, slow-cooked over a fire in a cast iron pot.

4. Bunny Chow: Bunny Chow is a South African food that originated from Durban and it’s Indian community. It’s made of a hollowed-out half loaf of bread that acts as a bowl and then gets filled with curry. It’s a popular and affordable meal for backpackers great on those colder days.

5. Koeksisters: Koeksisters are a traditional South African food that is sweet. They are a deep-fried dough similar to a donut that is twisted together and soaked in syrup, resulting in a dense, sweet and sticky texture. They’re deliciously sweet but not good for the diet.

6. Malva pudding: Malva pudding is a baked dessert made with apricot jam, cream, and sugar. It’s a staple dessert after meals around many South African dinner tables. Served warm with a sweet cream sauce and often accompanied with vanilla ice-cream or custard, it’s the perfect end to a great meal with a group of travellers.

7. Samoosas: Samoosas are a popular South African food and snack. They are triangular-shaped pastry parcels filled with fillings, such as spicy meat, potato, vegetable, or cheese and then deep fried. Great to have a bag handy in the van for an on-the-go snack when you’re feeling peckish.

And that is by no means all of the unique South African food you’ll discover! From braai-brootjies to boboties, braais and sosaties there is a bit of everything for a backpacking foodie to eat their way through on your trip to South Africa. The diverse and flavorful food South Africa offers is a must try aspect when visiting the country. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and try these and many other new dishes – you won’t be disappointed!

On our trip you’ll get the opportunity to try many of these South African foods on the shared meals with our group and at the various markets and stops along our road trip of South Africa.