Who's Going to Cape Town?
Story by Heather Richardson
I know I’m getting visiting parts of the country not known for their cuisine, but, any recommendations for the route above? -Katherine
Five Dishes to Try in Cape Town
By Heather Richardson
Cape Town is the undisputed food capital of South Africa, known for its range of restaurants representing cuisines from all over the world.
Classic Cape Town dishes represent the heritage of the city, a blend of African, Asian, and European influences. No surprise, given the coastal setting, that there’s a decent amount of seafood on offer, while the South African obsession with braaiing, or barbecuing, means some variety of grilled meat is never too hard to find.
While a complete list of must-try dishes would be very long indeed, here are five of Cape Town’s favorite foods, each revealing a little of the city’s multifaceted identity.
Cape Malay samoosas: Cape Malays, or Cape Muslims, are a community and ethnic group primarily based in Cape Town. Food is a big part of the culture and samoosas (the local spelling of samosas) offer a bite sized taste of aromatic Cape Malay flavors. Typical fillings include mutton mince, chicken, or potato and pea. Take a samoosa cooking classes in the Bo-Kaap neighborhood, known for its candy colored houses, or head to the admittedly less scenic Kenilworth Centre to buy from local favorite Cabana Cabin.
Boerie roll: Boerewors (sausages) cooked on a braai (barbecue) served hot off the coals, in a roll and slathered in ketchup, are quintessential South African food. A boerie roll is best enjoyed at a friend’s braai, while wandering around a weekend market, or bought from a beachside stall after a surf.
Gatsby sandwich: Best tackled when famished. A Gatsby is a foot-long sub, usually quartered, and stuffed with meat (anything from masala steak to calamari to polony), slap chips (thick, soft fries with a crisp exterior), lettuce, cheese, sauce, and fried egg. The name was allegedly first coined at Super Fisheries, which remains a favorite, but Gatsbys from Cosy Corner and Mariam’s Kitchen are also very popular.
Fish 'n' chips: British-style fish ‘n’ chip shops are found all over the city. Opt for the longest standing, no-frills establishments around the harbors for the best battered hake and slap chips, such as Kalky’s in Kalk Bay or Fish on the Rocks in Hout Bay. Watch out for the seagulls.
Malva pudding: One of the country’s most beloved desserts, malva pudding (possibly from “malvalekker,” Afrikaans for marshmallow) is a fluffy, moist, caramel flavored sponge made with apricot jam. It’s usually served with cream, custard, or ice cream (or a combination thereof) and it’s a staple of South African dessert menus.
Episode 226: PBR with Sam Sanders
Meghan Markle drinks Pacifico, we’re sure of it.
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This newsletter is edited by Katherine Spiers, host of the podcast Smart Mouth.
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For food in Spokane, I recommend Wooden City!
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