Cape Town is home to such lekker kos no matter where you eat it, it always tastes like home.
Whether it’s a masala steak gatsby, a fish and chips parcel or a warme koeksister on a Sunday morning, these favourites are proof that local really is lekker.
So lekker that many visitors to our beautiful city and country can’t get enough of our local cuisine.
Vra maar net vir Auntie Poppie van Laingsburg.
In a few weeks, Rosaline “Poppie” van As will be jetting off to Italy to share our beloved roosterkoek with the Italians.
I mean, the people who gave us pasta, pizza and Luciano Pavarotti love our roosterkoek so much that they just have to have it.
Seriously, though, our country has no shortage of great chefs and self-taught foodies who are making a name for themselves locally and internationally.
From Michelin Star chefs, think Jan-Hendrik van der Westhuizen, to successful cookbook authors like Fatima and her sister, Gadija Sydow.
What makes each of these foodies unique, is the modern twists they put on doodgewone huiskos.
Sadly, many of us myself included are more familiar with foods from other regions than our very own.
For example, a while ago I was part of a media group who visited four hidden food gems around the city.
One of the stops was at a fast-food restaurant in the CBD that specialises in traditional African food.
And I’m not talking deep-fried worms or anything funny it was simple pap en vleis with a tasty chakalaka.
I was shocked to learn that the majority of the group had never even had pap!
This made me realise that as much as we are spoiled for choice in this city, we’re more likely to try a new Italian or Mexican dish than our own homegrown goodness.
So this week, I have chosen recipes that’s local, l ekker and proudly South African.
Try any one of these local favourites at home: