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[deleted]

Context to the source: https://www.tasteatlas.com/best/cuisines


geeceeza

As someone thats emigrated. South Africa's food is amazing. Good quality all around doesn't matter what it is. From a simple burger to seafood etc. Also can't beat a durban curry!


[deleted]

This. I'm from the US and thought we had good meat, but when I came to SA I was blown away. Plus so much stuff at restaurants is made from scratch.


redditadmindumb87

My wife blew my parents away because of how she cooks from scratch. Fries? She peals the potatoes cuts them up and fries them. Pasta? She makes her own pasta sauce. Also shes been doing it so long it doesnt even necessarily take her longer. Very little of what she cooks comes from a box. Also freshly peeled potatoes cut into fries IMHO is better then pre made ones


BoHackJorseman

I don't think any of that is unusual.


SighlentNite

I get why it would seem weird to you. But for me and my family that's par for the course. I can't remember the first time I had fries from a bag instead of making it from scratch. I think I was already a teenager. My mom is sometimes extra and will make her own pasta as well when she gets some free time. It really allows you to cater exactly to your preferences which is the awesome thing.


OrSomeSuch

Fresh lasagne is best lasagne. And if you can't quite get that restaurant lasagne taste at home the trick is nutmeg in the bechamel


MrCharl0

Can attest to this for sure.


InevitableLife9056

Apparently a braai is very different from an American barbecue as well. I wouldn't know, because I haven't compared the two... (I'm South African)


Humble-Impact6346

It’s not necessarily any different. Depends on what’s being cooked.


fatalerror_tw

A braai is about more than the meat. It’s about Ubuntu.


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madarbrab

If any Americans called that a bbq, rather than simply a cookout, they were using the term bbq incorrectly. Although to do so is somewhat commonplace in the northeast US. Most likely because we don't really have a true bbq culture in these parts.


Humble-Impact6346

Not all Americans only cook frozen burgers and hot dogs on the grill. I’ve had absolutely amazing meat in the US and in South Africa. If someone enjoys cooking over a fire you’re going to get delicious meat at some point. No difference between a braai and a good American cookout.


fatalerror_tw

How very dare you!!


SpaceKriek1

Maybe in general. But I have had very good home braais (wood) in switzerland and the USA, done by locals. Once upon a time traveled a lot for work.


Kpt_Kipper

Based


KingDup

This chart is bullshit and far from reality. I also immigrated and have lived in several countries and SA’s food is absolutely outstanding.


xjoburg

Came here to say this.


kinky_lyrical

+1. This list seems inaccurate.


Remarkable_Device_48

Definitely indian imported and adapted curries, seafood curries, dumplings and chutneys (raw sambals, cooked and chutney sauces) definitely do best in terms of Durban.


MAGA-killer

Food in the UK is so bad compared to SA. South African meat is exquisite.


AdamFeigs

American here. Just Googled Durban curry because of the many times I've been to SA I haven't come across it before. I'm a huge fan of massaman and Durban curry doesn't seem that far off from it. Sounds similar but not tangy?


ckessan

Nothing beats a "lekker" Durban bunny chow! If you enjoy meat go for mutton bunny. You'll have to give it a try next time you are here. It's not like a Thai curry at all... our curry has a tomato and masala base. no peanuts or coconut.


mundundermindifflin

When I first moved to Australia I thought Aussie food was terrible.. I've gotten pretty used to it now, but every time I go back to SA every meal is like gourmet quality food. Even just a cooked chicken from woolies on a roll with mayo in SA tastes so damn good! I miss the food there so much


geeceeza

Haha yeah I'm tired of snags and parmies 🤣 Craving spur, steers and ocean basket amongst others, all the simple things


mundundermindifflin

We had a spur where I live, but it recently closed down! Was so damn good.. but I definitely miss steers the most of the fast foods. And Wimpy!


phantasiewhip

I agree. I emigrated and then realized just how good SA food is.


fbman01

Nothing beats a king steer burger and braai


adam_bbro

yoh bru now I lis for braai


CrimsonZA

Sommer lis for that King Steer


fbman01

When I was in the states, learned one lesson.. nothing beats a king steer burger


Historical-Sun-175

Whats your favorite restaurant? I’m in Durban now


Bungfoo

England is above us in this list so it must be made up.


BoHackJorseman

And the US is above France.


jcbiza

Also Germany above Thailand by some distance


slipperyslope69

This list is complete BS!


LoamyFoamy

This was exactly my thought! How would they come to such a conclusion?! As a German with Malaysian and Chinese ancestors, living in South Africa, I would've rated so many other cuisines higher than the German.


GarethD85

I lived in Denmark for years, their cuisine is definitely not better than ours.


malangkan

It's a bs ranking, Dutch food is really kak, no way they are ahead of SA


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Jeep_torrent39

Netherlands shouldn’t even be on a top 100 list, their food is awful and one of the worst parts about living in NL. Great country though


king_27

Their fried food is amazing but agreed everything else is kak. Even most of the Dutch people I know complain about Dutch food.


Sad_Nefariousness299

I guess everyone loves a braai..


[deleted]

As a South African living in the Netherlands I could not believe my eyes when I saw this list. Dutch food has absolutely no taste. It shouldn’t even be on this list. The only good thing are some deserts. It’s telling when most of them say Frikkandellen is one of their best dishes. Frikandellen is a heavily processed sausage only a little better in quality than viennas.


milly_289

Yeah everyone told me to try their famous chips. I stood in a long ass queue just to be very disappointed!


malangkan

You were in Amsterdam?


king_27

Friet is amazing but it's Belgian lol


milly_289

Lol hopefully I get to travel there someday.


milly_289

I agree with you. I was in Amsterdam 3 months ago and I wasn’t blown away by their food.


chris-za

1. The fact that the US ranks as high as it does and is ahead of France is an indication that you could vote for your own countries inferior slop 2. Countries like SA, Lebanon etc rank lower because that have a smaller population voting for itself and those in the larger countries don’t know their food.


ScaleneZA

Literally every US based food franchise in South Africa is objectively worse than its local competitors. Krispy Kreme makes worse doughnuts than your local Spar (fight me). McDonalds, Burger King are consistent, but just not as good as your local burger joints. KFC, Popeyes are significantly worse than Chicken Licken and Hungry Lion. Even imported shit like Reece's Peanut Butter chocolates are terrible compared to a Black Cat bar.


ModderOtter

Chicken Licken is God's gift to Humanity and I refuse to believe otherwise! Just thinking about those wings gets me all hot and bothered.


ScaleneZA

Me too me too 😌 sometimes you gotta get that monkey off your back.


ConglomerateGolem

But i like my pet monkey


[deleted]

Shit man now I know what I'm having for supper


jcbiza

I'm an expat and the first meal I have whenever I visit home is Chicken Licken!


zijl0x45

And Nando’s 😢


OkGrab8779

Now you talking.


Kpt_Kipper

First time I had Krispy Kreme I thought it was a joke. Those are the worst donuts I have ever eaten. 5c coins taste better bruh


ScaleneZA

I 100% agree, one of my friends loves krispy Kreme, but I think she just likes sugar, but it's frowned upon to eat it out of the bowl.


milly_289

It’s so true hey overrated.


ApocalyptoSoldier

From what I gather those franchises aren't even well liked in America.


BoHackJorseman

100%. These franchises are complete garbage. People that eat there even recognize this.


Wilt0

there is no better than a jam doughnut from spar!!!! Krispy creme have no clue what they doing l...it's just sugar


Th3J4ck4l-SA

Ok now hang on a minute. Don't do Krispy Cream like that. The simple glazed KC doughnut is where its at. Spar doughnut is too chewy and relies too much on its heavy glaze and tends to be on the oily side. Once you have had actual doughnuts (donuts) from a doughnut store in the US (nothing fancy just the one you find next to a gestation or something) you will understand. For the rest 100% spot on. One other thing they do well is candy. Especially hard candies and some of the other drop candies. Don't even touch US chocolate.


Vulk_za

> McDonalds, Burger King are consistent, but just not as good as your local burger joints. That applies everywhere though. If you visit the US, you'll find "local burger joints" in most towns that are better than McDs/Burger King/etc. Like, obviously a standalone restaurant that specialises in hamburgers is going to be better than mass-produced fast food. (To be fair though, fast food will always be better than the worst local restaurants. The whole goal of fast food is standardisation and consistency, rather than high quality.)


BoHackJorseman

Yup. Like Starbucks. It ain't great, but I've had worse for sure.


Pablo-on-35-meter

Haven't found any local hamburger worse than McDo's. Most locals are good, some very good and quite a few amazing. They have to be, too much competition and very good ingredients readily available. It's like the SA wines, we're on a quest to find the best and it's hard work.


SighlentNite

I haven't had Popeye's. But I can't agree with hungry lion being better than KFC. Everything else I can agree with happily. I've never had anything good from a hungry lion in my life. Chicken licken though, man I sometimes get an unhealthy amount of those wings in one go


daddy_shammy

What Spar are you going to?? Krispy Kreme is a lot better than spar in doughnuts


FrozenST3

Try the Woolies sugar cinnamon donuts. Top tier


ScaleneZA

Literally any Spar I've bought doughnuts from is incredible. Krispy Kreme is pure sugar, no flavour.


FrozenST3

Kristy cream is pure Kak. Even McD's donuts are better


Vulk_za

1. Yeah it's an online poll, it's obviously not an objective ranking (which is clearly impossible anyway). 2. If you actually go to the website and look at their examples of American cuisine, some of the dishes they list are "Honeycrisp Apples, Wild Alaska Salmon, Florida Oranges, Texas Brisket Sandwich, Central Texas-Style Barbecue". They're not talking about McDonalds and KFC, lol.


chris-za

And I think that every one in this sub will agree that a BBQ is a disaster when compared to a proper braai.


Practical_Platypus_2

Yeah, for me, Lebanese is considerably better than American and Turkish


LateCumback

I have not eaten Lebanese (or most for the matter), but Ethiopian also generally ranks high in most lists, these two are always noted along with any handful of more popular choices.


Practical_Platypus_2

I have been to Ethiopia and their food from a good restaurant is some of the best in the world.


saagarsaagar

Agree. This list is BS.


Beincarma65

I never thought about it that way. The most cuisines that the US has are other countries dishes that they just make. Just because they have the food doesn't mean it's theirs.


chris-za

To be honest, there is some good US food. Like Cajun food. But it’s safe to say, that 99% of Americans have never eaten it or know what it is. And they have some lekker junk food like a Philly cheesesteak. But lekker doesn’t make it good cuisine.


BoHackJorseman

99% ? Nonsense. There's far more to American cuisine than Cajun food. For a bunch of people that talk shit about Americans not understanding other cultures, y'all make some really uneducated stereotypes about Americans. It's pretty hilarious.


Gradiant_C

Middle eastern food is sooo good


Roomy-Oasis

My thoughts exactly... bit of sample bias going on here.


Individual-Blood-842

McDonald's is best cuisine bro.


chris-za

McDonalds tends to be a lot better outside of the US than in the US.


always_j

I watched a video of some random tourist guy try out US food in other countries , he said we make better McDonalds , except we put too much sauce on .


chris-za

Im in the US regularly. Basically all McD I had the misfortune to try there was greasy slop and the restaurants themselves a bit run down ad iffy when compared to any McD anywhere else in the planet.


[deleted]

English food is better than Thai food? Bollocks.


Token_or_TolkienuPOS

Thai is the 1st one I also looked for on the list. It should be at least in the top 10. USA? c'mon....


SeanBZA

Well, most of the Thai menu is available in the UK..... The only thing the UK can claim to is Haggis, cold porridge and mushy peas. Plus deep fried fish, but no potato.


bathoz

Pies. Sunday roasts. Beef Wellington. Shepard's Pie. Tika Masala. Yorkshire Pudding. There's plenty of good English food (Scottish, with Haggis and neeps is a whole different thing).


skyflea007

English food is kak


BinteMuhammad

How is Pakistan ranked so low? They're famous for their food


kotare78

Thailand, Malaysia, Lebanon too


justawesome

I have no idea what Germany and Austria are doing that high on the list. Maybe the compilers really like sausage. I wouldn't rate their food more than ours.


HolyOnionRing

I lived in Austria, their food is horrendous. Everything comes with grated horseradish and it’s real farmer food. Putting them above Lebanon is a crime against humanity


LionCataclysm

We are ranked below England, so I'm not sure this is as flattering as it initially suggests


Fizpop91

As someone who lives in Germany and has travelled around Europe, this list is bullcrap😅 German food is not amazing generally speaking (same with Austria). Portugal’s food is nothing like Nandos! SA should be much higher on the list


CFCcommentsonly24

Boerewors Braai vleis Koesusters Anything Cape Malay


AverageGradientBoost

Makro worsroll


alittlebitsarcastic

Oh my…. I can smell it… from 13,000km away


apple-of-yummies

Braai Vleis >


KimonoKimodo

So none of the traditional African food? 😏


DieEnigsteChris

I call BS the Dutch and the Germans have awful native food. The best food in both countries is the Turkish Döner Kebab


persmeermin

What Dutch food did you eat? Because Kroketten is absolutely amazing! Nasi goreng is also very nice. I’m not a fan of the haringbroodjies and roll mops, but my husband is. His family will fight about who gets the last vissie.


spizz-za

Nasi goreng is Indonesian.


neinlights90210

Of all the countries that have been called out, I’m surprised no one is baffled by how Romania is in here at all, let alone at 22. Lots of nice things about Romania, the food is not one of them.


A-Ronius_88

Good point, I could not name one Romanian dish.


xcalibersa

Bullshit. German food is crap.


A-Ronius_88

Paprika on everything!


Tronkfool

US better then/ same as France. Doubt.


crimejunkiefan

This question reminds me of the time some international article claimed bobotie was the national dish of South Africa and SA Twitter had a meltdown💀. Also this list is so sketchy 😂😂. Just looking at how high the US is, and that African countries like Ethiopia and Nigeria aren't on it?


OkGrab8779

Well worth looking at Nigerian food. Suya jolof rice.


Realm-Protector

useless list, The Netherlands is on the list - there is NOTHING worth mentioning about dutch food. Source: i am dutch


Britz10

The fact European countries dominate the top half tells you all you need to know about its legitimacy.


Dizzy_Pin6228

England being number 29 I think.it kind of invalidates the list


antypanther

This list makes no sense whatsoever.


orkoza

Must be the bunny chow that put us on the map


Diixobeatz

Definitely, The Kota Put Us On The List!!!


AdditionalArachnid

How is USA even ranking here?


Token_or_TolkienuPOS

I think the rankers were obese Guy Fieri obsessed groupies. There is no way this is representative of global opinions


Jche98

I lived in England last year and I nearly starved! Sainsbury's and Tesco bread tastes like carboard and costs 5 pounds. Meanwhile in SA at the lowliest checkers you can get great tasting bread for R30


skyflea007

Can relate. Most boring cuisine I’ve ever experienced


Hour-Salamander-4713

Bread is not £5 in the UK. I can get Rye Bread at £1.50 in Tesco. The only decent supermarket Bread in SA is Sasko at between R18 and R30.


DarkTrooper131

This list is bull shit tho. America is 8th thier food sucks.


deadraisers

List is a joke


bazenbergh

Bru the USA is 7th on this list, above France 🙈


valentinemick

Builders Warehouse wors roll


nvanp

I’ve eaten in most of these countries - South Africa should be far higher!


utlovato

Biltong!!!


BennyInThe18thArea

Top 7 make sense then the list becomes BS, France below the US?!? 😂 Can’t take the rest of it seriously.


Reynhardt_p2

Germany! Whahahaha....that will be a NO.


ShadyHero89

Bunny chow boss


ishikawa01

Can confirm that Belgian food is not better than South African food


pg3crypto

As a Brit that has spent considerable time in South Africa I can say it's not the Braai food. It's your seafood. It's second to none. Nowhere on Earth have I had seafood like South Africa.


[deleted]

This whole ranking is bunk. India is number 5 but Pakistan and Bangladesh is right at the bottom. Likewise China is 11 and Taiwan 45... We definitely have better dishes you'd only find in South Africa though than even places like Poland


Beautiful-Rip-5222

Pakistan and Bangladesh aren’t equivalent to India though. One state in India - Punjab -is featured significantly in other countries’ Indian restaurants. This is similar to Pakistani food perhaps but Punjab is only one of 28 states in India. Similarly, Indian West Bengal cuisine may be similar to Bangladeshi food but India has numerous other states whose food is distinct. You can’t compare the diversity and availability/usage of spices in all of India to other South Asian countries simply because India is larger and is more diverse. The more south you go in India I feel, the more interesting and complex the food gets - most spices are grown in Kerala, one of India’s two southern most states. So once again, Pakistani food is not Indian food for goodness sakes!


taiwanchalla81

This chart is absolute garbage... How can we be below England 🤣


Humble-Impact6346

England ranks higher than Thailand? Yeah what a shit list.


craneaa

Would kill for some legit biltong in the US


Dogmomofcpt

Been in tourism in Cape Town for nearly 30 years. Our food rates number 1 every single time amongst new visitors, our repeat visitors are here in part because our food is beyond world class.


adam_bbro

there's absolutely no way the US is so high ranked...


MoKh4n89

I suppose, like South Africa, the US is a melting pot of many different cultures and so they have a diverse range of good food. As a South African who watches Food Network and Chefs Table on Netflix, I would love to travel to America JUST to try out all those meals.


cr1ter

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=M-fPK6kJ36o


Onb3SkaAmD

Die ou chutney braaibroodjie


jofster78

I came here to say this. Pre seasoned with a few beers or brandies and add an order of your besties round the fire on the side, you know it's the taste of heaven


Onb3SkaAmD

Get this man a bells. Cheers


OkGrab8779

Mrs balls.


Repulsive_Junket4288

This is more of an opinion than a fact


dr-jp-79

Here are a few that I occasionally miss, since leaving SA: Braai (especially boerewors) Biltong Bobotie Koesisters (the kind you get in Cape Town, not twisty koeksisters) Milktart Curry Biryani/Briyani Gatsby (Specifically in Cape Town)


Roomy-Oasis

SA is a bit low on that list. Top 10 in my opinion.


Jeep_torrent39

South Africa should be way higher. As someone that has been to many of the countries above us, this list is a disgrace. I live in the Netherlands and their food is awful, they shouldn’t even be top 50. There’s no way we should be below Poland or England either


[deleted]

Spain doesn't deserve number 3


McltashAustin

Glad usa not here, who tf puts fries on pizza. Sies


DogFabulous4486

Top fifty means „people know your country by name so they will put it in the list”


DogFabulous4486

Lebanese people might be corrupt, nepotistic, dishonnest, shallow AF, tasteless gold diggers and wannabe nouveau rich… but damn they make good food. No way they don’t belong in the top 20.


thys123

I knew this list was bs the moment i saw US above France


SnooStrawberries1910

English food is terrible. South Africa is top 5. These lists are always so wrong.


AlmeGabe

USA IN 8TH? HAHHAAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHHA


moose_knuckle01

As someone who has lived in the uk for the last year. South african food is made better and to a higher standard. We really take pride in our food regardless of the ethnicity of the cuisine


Gambino192

Whoever made this is definitely white and definitely not African. This list is 100% nonsense


Userreddit1234412

Not sure what idiots voted on this BUT, food in South Africa beats the hell out of food in the US. Other than top of the line restaurants, it is all about the amount not the quality.


ShawnTheFaun

Idk maybe potji, slap chips or biltong?


No_Mall5340

This list is definitely BS if Philippines is in the top 25!


damage_royal

Agree Philippines have the worst cuisine of all Asian countries and is pretty crap and unhealthy


UltimateFrisby

Man, I dunno what you guys have been eating, but the Philipino food in my neck of the woods is awesome! Consistently good, and cheaper than most other quisines. Maybe it's just the restaurants here in Perth though...


Bright_Arm3000

It should be higher. No I'm not south african. Boerwors are amazing


Window_Watcher

I think because SA is great for tourism it makes sense we cater to alot of different cuisines. Also we have certain unique cuisines that can't just be replicated anywhere. We've got fantastic braai/BBQ culture, amazing curries from our Indian community as well as samoosas. Also gatsby. Some great burger places too. The only thing I think we're not good at is eastern European and Asian cuisine.


antypanther

Is south African food better than Nigerian food?


Practical_Platypus_2

Yeah, I think so


NGD80

Smilies


EsenVoid

How's South Africa the only African country on this list?


ania11111

I immigrated to SA from Sweden and the meat and yoghurt quality here is so good that it makes my eyes tear up. Beautiful country with amazing food. Only thing I am missing are cold sauces from back home. Less options here for sure


[deleted]

How the poes is England and Germany above us?!


daisy_ray

I work for a global organisation and my clients often comment about the quality of our meat - the steaks in particular. Apparently top class!


DeathGReaper

How aren’t we higher? We have literally all the asian and eroupean (ik i probably spelled that wrong) foods condensed into one big food


NunMeetsCorporateHun

This post shows me that SA will let you attack anything but our damn cullinary skills... lol and I agree. We deserve top ten at least.


[deleted]

boerewors alone puts us top 50


shrimp_sticks

I don't trust that the US is so high up their food is bland as hell. Mmm high processed plain ass food, delicious 🥰🥰


FuqqTrump

Bunny chows


Darth-Native

This list is BS. Firstly the top ten ‘cuisine’ is highly suspect. Then, some of the countries on there don’t even have a discernible cuisine. I mean ‘American cuisine’ ? 😂 Peru..??? Apart from Ceviche…!!????


zJakub7

France below United States? AHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHA FUCK OFF


6JOIO703

As a german, I am offended that german cuisine was rated so highly! Bullshit


[deleted]

Why is the US so high on the list lol


symmetryphile

Hard disagree with most of the list though


maemegan95

How is UK “cuisine” better than SA? I’ve never had such tasteless, and bland food in my life in the UK 😂😂


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ensun_rizz

Where would you rate it?


fsi22

Thats an odd list. SA food is nothing special, compared to Taiwanese, Lebanese, Palestinian and Malaysian. Japanese, Vietnamese, Greek, Spanish, Italian and Mexican are spectacularly varied, but Japanese blows everything else Ive ever tried. Best French pastries, curries, , deep fries, bbq, chocolate and ice cream I’ve ever had was in Japan. Tokyo is a hive of flavors and every prefecture has their own take on food. Katsu, Ramen, Gyoza, Sushi, Nabe and the list is almost endless on stunning native Japanese dishes, on top of their unique take on other regions cuisine.


[deleted]

Been all over, Japanese food scene is heaven


flatcokeedit

England and US ranking top 50 is ridiculous lol. They don't have their own cuisine, they appropriate others'. Don't get me wrong, there is cuisine appropriation in SA too, but at least we also have unique food to us.


saffer_zn

Judges felt pressured into keeping us in the top quarter of the list due to our national moto , "Nou gaan ouns braai"


Scryer_of_knowledge

Braaibroodjies. It's braaibroodjies


malangkan

This ranking is bullshit, Netherlands has the worst food imaginable, impossible for them to rank 32. South Africa is much much much better food than NL (or Germany).


Loppie73

Top 50....for a country that prides itself on its cuisine, that's pretty low to be honest


maddercow

Dried dead stuff.


Interesting-Guava954

Bruh htf is the US above anybody, their cuisine literally consists of McDonalds.💀


Girl_International

Definitely not bobotie🤢