South African Street Food Recipes
Bunny Chow
Bunny Chow is a Durban Indian curry served inside a hollowed-out loaf of bread. It's a truly unique and satisfying street food experience.
Ingredients:
- 1 large loaf of white bread
- 500g mutton or chicken, cubed
- 2 onions, chopped
- 2 tomatoes, chopped
- 2 tbsp curry powder
- 1 tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 2 green chilies, chopped
- 2 potatoes, cubed
- Oil for cooking
- Salt to taste
- Fresh coriander for garnish
Instructions:
- Heat oil in a pot and sauté the onions until golden brown.
- Add the curry powder, turmeric powder, and garam masala. Sauté for a minute.
- Add the meat and brown it on all sides.
- Add the tomatoes, green chilies, potatoes, and salt. Cook until the meat is tender and the potatoes are cooked through. Add water if needed to prevent sticking.
- Cut the loaf of bread in half or into quarters, depending on how many servings you want. Hollow out the bread, keeping the crust intact.
- Fill the hollowed bread with the curry.
- Garnish with fresh coriander and serve hot.
Gatsby
The Gatsby is a Cape Town institution – a massive sandwich filled with slap chips, polony (or other fillings), and loads of sauces. Perfect for sharing!
Ingredients:
- 1 large long roll (French loaf style)
- 500g slap chips (thick-cut fries)
- 250g polony, sliced
- Cheese slices (optional)
- Sauces: Tomato sauce, mayonnaise, peri-peri sauce
- Lettuce, shredded (optional)
- Tomato slices (optional)
Instructions:
- Cut the long roll lengthwise.
- Spread mayonnaise on both halves of the roll.
- Layer the slap chips generously on the bottom half.
- Add the polony slices on top of the chips.
- If using, add cheese slices, lettuce, and tomato slices.
- Drizzle generously with tomato sauce and peri-peri sauce.
- Place the top half of the roll over the fillings.
- Cut the Gatsby into smaller portions for easier sharing.
- Serve immediately and enjoy the messy goodness!
Boerewors Roll
Boerewors rolls are a staple at braais (barbecues) and events across South Africa. A simple yet delicious combination of boerewors sausage and a fresh roll.
Ingredients:
- Boerewors sausage (enough for the number of rolls)
- Rolls (hot dog or similar)
- Tomato sauce
- Mustard
- Onions, caramelized (optional)
Instructions:
- Grill or braai the boerewors sausage until cooked through and slightly charred.
- Place the cooked boerewors in a roll.
- Top with tomato sauce and mustard.
- If using, add caramelized onions.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Walkie Talkies (Chicken Feet and Heads)
Walkie Talkies, consisting of chicken feet ("walkies") and chicken heads ("talkies"), are a popular and affordable street food. They are often boiled or grilled and seasoned with spices.
Ingredients:
- 1 kg Chicken feet and heads
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 tbsp curry powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Water
- Oil for cooking
Instructions:
- Thoroughly clean the chicken feet and heads. Remove any feathers or debris.
- Boil the chicken feet and heads in a large pot of water with salt for about 1-2 hours, or until tender.
- In a separate pan, heat oil and sauté the chopped onion until golden brown.
- Add the curry powder and paprika, and sauté for another minute.
- Add the boiled chicken feet and heads to the pan.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Fry until slightly browned and the spices are well incorporated.
- Serve hot.
Kota
The Kota, popular in Johannesburg, is a quarter loaf of bread hollowed out and filled with layers of delicious ingredients. It's similar to the Bunny Chow but with different fillings.
Ingredients:
- 1/4 loaf of white bread
- Slap chips (French fries)
- Polony slices
- Russian sausage, grilled
- Cheese slices
- Fried egg (optional)
- Atchar (spicy mango pickle)
- Sauces: Tomato sauce, mayonnaise, chili sauce
Instructions:
- Hollow out the quarter loaf of bread, leaving the crust intact.
- Start by layering slap chips at the bottom.
- Add polony slices and grilled Russian sausage.
- Place cheese slices on top.
- Add a fried egg if desired.
- Spoon generous amounts of atchar over the fillings.
- Drizzle with tomato sauce, mayonnaise, and chili sauce.
- Serve immediately and enjoy the overloaded, flavorful Kota!
Vetkoek
Vetkoek, meaning "fat cake," is a deep-fried dough pocket that can be filled with savory or sweet fillings. It's a versatile and comforting street food.
Ingredients:
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp instant yeast
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 cups warm water
- Oil for deep frying
- Fillings of your choice (minced meat, cheese, jam, etc.)
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, mix together the flour, yeast, sugar, and salt.
- Add the warm water and mix until a soft dough forms.
- Knead the dough for about 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
- Heat oil in a deep pot or fryer to about 180°C (350°F).
- Punch down the dough and shape it into small balls.
- Gently flatten each ball into a round disc.
- Carefully drop the vetkoek into the hot oil and fry until golden brown on both sides.
- Remove the vetkoek and drain on paper towels.
- Cut a slit in each vetkoek and fill with your desired filling.
- Serve warm and enjoy!