Every migratory tale of Indian indentured labourers hired by the British to work on plantations across their colonies contains many fascinating stories, and South Africa is no different. When the Indians arrived in South Africa, they were not allowed to disembark from their ship at first. The ship was quarantined due to an outbreak of cholera and the authorities asked them to stay on board till the disease was cured. The migrant workers had to stay on the ship and, in the process, they had no choice but to eat the food that was being served to them. They ate a combination of the food from the ship and some South African foods that were being served to the local passengers.
The Indian workers were predominantly vegetarian but were forced to consume meat because the ship did not have enough vegetarian food. They ate rice, rotis, beans, and some fish along with the South African passengers, and this was perhaps the start of a unique blend that would become South African Indian cuisine.
Food as a Bridge Between Cultures
Food has the power to bring people together and make them work past their differences. People of Indian descent in South Africa have adjusted to the environment and culture of the region, and have used Zulu ingredients in food items similar to their native cuisine. In the process, those dishes became innovations that now have their own distinct taste. Indian cooking in South Africa has been using traditional Zulu ingredients like the fermented milk drink amasi, and the classic chakalaka has been reinvented by them using Indian spices.
The curry-filled bread item, ‘bunny chow' was invented by Indian traders in Durban during the apartheid era when they were not allowed to serve Zulu customers in their eateries. That gave birth to an edible takeaway container made from bread and filled with delicious curry.
South African Indian food is sold widely across the country.Some popular dishes savored by the locals are chutney, samosas, bhaji, dal, curries, vindaloo, and chicken tikka. Some of these dishes have been modified to suit the palate of South Africans and South African Indians. Indian curries are different in each South African state depending on the use of spices and vegetables. The technique applied while cooking is also different from region to region - a curry made in the Western part of South Africa will taste different from the one made in the Eastern part of the country due to the ingredients available locally.
Samosa and chutney are famous Indian snacks in South Africa | Pexels
South African Indians who migrated from Gujarat tried their best to keep making rotis with whatever flour they could get there. They would use mealie rice and flour but it would not turn out as good as the ones made from bajra and jowar. Most Indians who were working as laborers in South Africa would make a mealie pancake similar to a dosa, and eat it with a dry porridge called putu. A typical South African curry will have vegetables such as pumpkin, sweet potato, cassava, and green peas added to it. Coconut milk is used as a base to make a curry because it imparts a distinct flavor to the dish. Roti and rice are traditionally served along with curries.
Some Indian foods have retained their essence even across this vast distance. The second most popular Indian dish in South Africa is the Dosa. It is eaten with sambar, ghee, and other chutneys. Idlis and uttapams are also popular dishes in South Africa, and are served with generous helpings sambar and chutney. You’ll be surprised to know that Saag, dal, and roti are also available in South Africa. People here enjoy this truly unique and interesting blend of spices in classic Indian food. Make sur you check it out when you’re traveling to South Africa.
When visiting the country, Durban is an essential pitstop for Indian food. One must try the mutton curry at Durban's Britannia Hotel or visit Impulse by the sea at Manor Beach, where you will be spoiled for choice withthe excellent Indian menu. If you want to shop for Indian-origin ingredients to cook up a delicious Indian meal when you’re in South Africa, then make your way to the famous Victoria Street Market in Durban.
