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Tour2.0 | Blog | Kasi-fy your palate

Kasi-fy your palate

In celebration of the gastronomic variety available in South Africa’s townships we decided to serve up some of our favourite township dishes from some of the tours on our platform. This is pure unadulterated kasi food indulgence. And having said that we are not responsible for any drooling that may occur while you’re reading this. Bon appetite!

Slaai-wat-wat

For our first course we serve up the hood hamburger, the Slaai-wat-wat. This is a towering thing of beauty that makes the Dagwood look like an hors d’oeuvre. This multi-layered sandwich is a bit of a new take on bunny chows and kotas. The word “slaai” is township slang for a single slice of bread, which in this case is pluralised. “Wat-wat” is a remixed version of an Afrikaans word “wat”, (what/whatever). “Slaai-wat-wat” then consists of “whatever” your heart and stomach want to place between the multiple slices of bread. But typically speaking the “wat-wat” is more often than not a combination of cheese, fries, deep-fried sausage, egg, polony, archar (a local spicy mango relish), mincemeat, or whatever else your palate and imagination can cook up.

Sunday lunch or seven colours

If you’re feeling nostalgia and hunger in equal measure then the seven colours Sunday lunch on the Cocktails and Culinary delicacies tour in Alexandra Township is just what your soul needs. Seven colours has always been the once a week “fine dining” experience of many black South African families. This has traditionally been the meal on which black families went to town. This is the gastronomic version of the “Sunday best”. Expect roast chicken or red meat, beetroot salad, tomato relish/gravy, roast/mash potatoes, spicy rice, butternut/pumpkin, and a variety of other salads.

Mala Mogodu/ Mogodu

Mala Mogodu typically refers to a sheep or cow’s intestines served alongside tripe, whereas Mogodu refers only to tripe. This South African favourite is served as a slow-cooked stew, often with pap or samp and is a meal that you will find at many traditional black family gatherings. More recently, though, this has also become a popular street food dish. In some townships like Alexandra Mogodu Mondays have become a staple.

Magwinya or vetkoeks

The township doughnut is a ball of deep-fried joy. Magwinya are a national favourite, with many families harbouring their own family recipes. And why wouldn’t they? Magwinya have a special place in many people’s lives, often serving as a reminder of people’s childhood homes and their mother or grandmother’s kitchens. Street vendors, who make them fresh every morning, sell the best magwinya by far. Sorry mom! Some Magwinya are so good, the mere thought of them compels people to drive long distances back to the neighbourhoods they grew up in. These can be had just as is as a sweet delight or can be had with something savoury like curried mincemeat, polony known as special or with fries.

Amaskopas or Amakipkip

This is the quintessential kasi snack. This is best described as sweet multi-coloured popcorn…but not quite. They are slightly sweet and chewy – none of the salty crunch of popcorn. But amaskopas are so much more. They are teleportation devices to one’s childhood in every bite. Usually sold by street vendors in a small clear plastic bag, they are a serving all things good. Nix mmapa!

“In celebration of the gastronomic variety available in South Africa’s townships we decided to serve up some of our favourite township dishes from some of the tours on our platform. This is pure unadulterated kasi food indulgence.”

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