# The best traditional South African dishes

The dishes that show South Africa's mix of cultures, from Cape Malay bobotie to Durban bunny chow, according to Matador, Discover Africa and South African food guides.

- 4 votes · 13 items
- Jun 24, 2026 · joburgsaucy
- https://even.best/en/l/395/the-best-traditional-south-african-dishes

## Top 12

1. **Braai** (1 · ▲1 ▼0) — South African barbecue over wood and coals; gas is sacrilege.
2. **Bunny chow** (1 · ▲1 ▼0) — Hollowed-out loaf filled with curry, created in 1940s Durban by Indian workers.
3. **Potjiekos** (1 · ▲1 ▼0) — Stew slow-cooked in a three-legged cast iron pot over the fire.
4. **Vetkoek** (1 · ▲1 ▼0) — Deep-fried bread filled with mince or jam.
5. **Bobotie** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — Spiced minced meat with dried fruit under an egg custard, Cape Malay in origin; often called the national dish.
6. **Boerewors** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — Coiled spiced beef and pork sausage, the star of every braai.
7. **Biltong** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — Air-dried meat cured with vinegar, salt and coriander.
8. **Pap and chakalaka** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — Maize porridge with spicy vegetable relish.
9. **Bredie** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — Tomato and lamb stew from the Cape.
10. **Malva pudding** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — Sticky apricot sponge pudding with a cream sauce.
11. **Koeksisters** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — Plaited fried dough soaked in cold syrup.
12. **Melktert** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — Milk tart with cinnamon, an Afrikaner classic.
13. **Gatsby** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — Huge Cape Town sandwich roll with chips, meat and sauce.

How is this ranking ordered? By people's votes: each ▲ adds a point and each ▼ takes one away. Anyone can vote and add what is missing.