Three easy South African meals to make at home
When you make South African meals like bunny chow or boerewors abroad, you’re not just eating, you’re staying connected to home.
When you’re living abroad and craving a taste of South Africa, the good news is: you don’t need a braai pit or a week of prep.
Here are three South African meals that bring the warmth, flavour and soul of home into your kitchen – whether you’re in Dar es Salaam, London or Antarctica.
1. Boerewors and pap
Boerewors on a drum or skillet, with creamy maize meal, few combos scream home louder. Brown the sausage, cook the pap until smooth and serve with tomato and onion relish.
It’s hearty, nostalgic and tastes even better when shared.
2. Bunny chow
A loaf of bread hollowed out, filled with curry. This Durban creation is bold and bursting with flavour. Bunny chow is a top pick for easy South African cooking abroad. Use a reasonably spicy curry (veal, chicken or beans), load the bread hollow and spoon over the curry. It’s a one-pot joy, minimal mess.
3. Malva pudding
After savoury, you want sweet. Malva pudding is comfort food at its best: a spongy cake soaked in sauce, often served with custard or ice-cream. Its Dutch-Cape roots and easy oven method make it perfect for any kitchen abroad.
Why these dishes hit differently for South Africans abroad
- Cultural connection: They carry the flavours of home, the spices, the textures, the seasoning.
- Simple ingredients: Most recipes rely on staples – maize meal, sausages, bread, eggs, sugar – so you don’t need a specialist store.
- Comfort & identity: Cooking these meals reminds you that your culture travels with you, whether you’re in Tanzania or another corner of the world.
These South African meals are small acts of home-making, keeping the flavours alive and reminding you: no matter where you are, South Africa moves with you.