Okay so, I love food. Like really love it. It is one of the main reasons why I wake up in the morning and withstand life’s slings and arrows of injustice. One of the best things about food is that there is so much of it; styles of cooking, herbs that will give the dish that extra #nomnomnom, and more importantly, cuisines. I love trying new food, which is why I was struck with joy when I stumbled upon Zulu, Egypt’s first South African restaurant.
Situated in Maadi, Zulu came to exist by the help of foodie couple, Seandre Vetter and Alfons Alfons. Vetter, a skilled-cook from South Africa, found a gap in the food market and decided to fill it with her Egyptian husband. I, on the other hand, found a gap in my belly and decided to fill it with South African food because why not? After the working day finished, I decided to brave up and head to Zulu. Mind you, I didn’t know anything about the cuisine, which in a way was horrifying because I didn’t know what to expect, but that’s what made the following experience exciting.
Appetizers: Biltong
Via Shaw Meats
Biltong is as South African as it gets, Vetter told me. If you’re into beef jerky, or like chewing on things in general, then this is definitely for you. If I had tried biltong in another set up – as a pub snack for example – I may have liked it then, but I’m not quite sure if it’s my thing.
Rating: 1.5/5
Main Course #1: Braai
Via Fego
A braai is basically the South African version of a barbecue. Vetter told me that South Africans take their braais very seriously: good wood, big hunks of meat, cooked properly over fire. Everything on the braai plate was to die for. I could definitely see a potential of having this creation as my top hungover dish.
Rating: 5/5
Main Course #2: Bobotie
Via Taste
Minced meat baked + an egg-based topping = a very simple dish that might seem bland, but it works somehow. This is a dish I can easily have as a comfort food. And yes, I ordered two mains because I’m an adult and I can.
Rating: 4/5
Dessert: Malva Pudding
Via Cape Town Guy
It was impossible to resist something that’s as rich and gooey as the malva pudding. Think apricot jam, with a sponge-like cake, custard and ice-cream. YUM!
Rating: 4.5/5
All in all, I think I’m definitely intrigued about the ways of the South Africans and would love to pop by again or maybe even order from the office some new dishes.
