5 "Local" Foods That Aren't Actually From Around Here

Today, we’re busting a few beloved myths about “South African” dishes. As you tuck into your next local bite, consider where it really came from—and raise a fork to our country’s delicious diversity.

Biryani (or “Briani”)

A mixed rice dish from the South Asian Muslim community, biryani is a staple at local Indian restaurants—spiced rice layered with meat or veg (sometimes egg) and big, bold flavour. It’s often confused with bobotie + rice, but biryani was carried here by Cape Malay descendants from South Asia. Bobotie? That one’s local. Biryani? Proudly imported.

Peri‑Peri Chicken

Yes, we love a cheeky Nando’s—but peri‑peri’s roots are Portuguese, blending chillies with citrus, garlic, and vinegar long before it blew up in SA. The sauce travelled with Portuguese traders into Southern Africa and became a household staple here. Slap it on a chicken and you’re golden.

Fun fact: Nando’s is even bigger in the UK than at home. The Brits are obsessed.

Mielie Meal & Pap

Our beloved pap didn’t originate here either. Maize came from the Americas via Portuguese trade; Voortrekkers adopted it for shelf life and convenience, and it spread across SA. We now farm maize at scale, so it feels very local—and fair enough.

Dish tip: Try milho frito—a herby, deep‑fried pap cousin that’s crunchy, golden, and dangerously snackable.

Samoosas

The café classic and beach‑day hero—spiced filling in crisp pastry, deep‑fried to perfection—comes from India (where it’s “samosa,” pronounced sa‑mow‑sah). We embraced it hard, added our own fillings and sauces, and never looked back.

Zamalek (Carling Black Label)

Brace yourself: the cult‑favourite stadium beer has Canadian origins. Carling Black Label was brewed internationally before landing here; today it’s brewed locally and woven into SA sports culture. Heritage in the heart, global on the label.

Final Bite

South African food is a tapestry—threads from Asia, Europe, and the Americas stitched into local tradition. The result? A table that’s richer, louder, and tastier than any single origin story.

Which one surprised you most? Drop your hot take—and pass the samoosas.