What is Snack?
A snack is a small portion of food generally eaten between meals. Snacks come in a variety of forms including packaged snack foods and other processed foods, as well as items made from fresh ingredients at home.
Top 10 Snacks In South Africa
Biltong
This has become one of the most well-known South African snacks worldwide. There are now several viral social media videos that sing the praises of Biltong, and how they wished they had found this South African street food sooner.
Other Biltong varieties can also be found in other African countries such as Namibia, Malawi, and Zimbabwe.
As delicious as it tastes, the process of making Biltong is simple. Meat, most commonly beef, is dried and cured and often served with spices like black pepper, coriander, and salt. While the process is simple, you need to be well-versed in the art of curing meat to prevent harmful bacteria from growing.
But there’s one thing South Africans can agree on: if you’re looking for some of the most delicious South African snacks, Biltong is very high on the list.
TRADITIONAL SOUTH AFRICAN SNACKS AND STREET FOOD
Boerewors
Wherever you go, you can be sure to find Boerewors sizzling away on a braai (or fire grill) outside a shopping center, cafe, or butcher – ready to be bought and enjoyed on the go. This South African street food is a part of so many South African diets and lifestyles and is considered a local favorite.
If it’s not raining, you can bet there are South Africans outside, beer in hand, enjoying an afternoon braai. And wors (translated as sausage) will surely be on the menu.
This traditional sausage is made from a variety of meats like beef, kudu, and even mutton or lamb. Mixed with spices like cloves, coriander, and black pepper, they’re ready and waiting to be cooked into a delicious meaty meal.
Sosaties (Skewered Meat)
When you think of South African snacks, Sosaties is one of the must-try foods and traditional meals. Introduced to the country by the Cape Malays, who play an integral role in the influence of South African cuisine, Sosaties are unusual in the best of ways.
Cape Malay Curry
Brought to South Africa by the French and Dutch that settled in Cape Town with Indonesian, Indian, and Malaysian populations, the Cape Malay Curry has been popular for hundreds of years. Now, this delectable and aromatic meal is a much-loved South African street food and a popular meal option.
This curry is made with mouth-watering spices like saffron, cinnamon, and turmeric, and the combination of these sweet spices has been at the heart of many dishes throughout South Africa. If you’re looking for a hearty and flavorsome dish, the Cape Malay curry is the perfect choice.
MODERN SOUTH AFRICAN SNACKS AND STREET FOOD
Bunny Chow
When it comes to South African snacks, there’s little argument about Bunny Chows and how perfect they are, any time of the day. South African food is vast and varied, and even a single dish of Bunny Chow has many different methods of preparation and ingredients.
Locals will point out a little shop that you may have driven past unnoticed, and inside, you’ll find the most heavenly smells and menus, all offering different types of Bunny Chows.
Brought to South Africa by the Indian community, these dishes are made up of Indian curry that includes either lamb, vegetables, or beef. Half or a quarter loaf of bread is hollowed out and the insides are served as a beautiful fresh sponge to soak up the curry.
There are few South African street food options that trump the authentic Bunny Chow.
Amagwinya Or Vetkoek (Fat Cake)
Originated and brought to Africa by the Dutch, Vetkoek, also called Amagwinya by the Zulus, is a much-loved choice when it comes to South African snacks. Anywhere you travel, you can be sure to find these fried, doughnut-like treats on street corners and inside cafes.
What is the most famous snack in South Africa?
Biltong
1. Biltong & droewors.
Dry curing was a method used to preserve meat by the indigenous tribes of South Africa before fridges were invented. Usually made from beef or game, such as springbok, biltong (a thinly sliced, air-dried meat), and droewors (an air-dried sausage) are traditionally eaten as snacks.
What snacks are unique to South Africa?
South African treats
- Biltong.
- Droe wors.
- Provitas.
- Romany Creams.
- Ouma Rusks.
- Zoo Biscuits.