BBC Features South Africa’s Famous Bunny Chow
Durban’s Bunny Chow just keeps getting more famous around the world since South African expats have introduced the dish abroad… and more visitors to the country have tasted its pure deliciousness in KwaZulu-Natal. And now the BBC have featured Bunny Chow in a travel documentary called “The Indian Dish You Can’t Find In India”! Showcasing […]
Durban’s Bunny Chow just keeps getting more famous around the world since South African expats have introduced the dish abroad… and more visitors to the country have tasted its pure deliciousness in KwaZulu-Natal. And now the BBC have featured Bunny Chow in a travel documentary called “The Indian Dish You Can’t Find In India”!
Showcasing the coastal city of Durban, the BBC says South Africa is home to one of the largest Indian communities outside India… and home to the unique curry called bunny chow – a half loaf of bread filled with curry.
According to the show, immigrants from India first arrived in South Africa as slaves to work in the sugar cane plantations… and for these workers, the bread ‘bowl’ of the Bunny Chow was an easy portable container.
One of the best bits of a Bunny Chow is the ‘head’ (the bread that’s scooped out) which is used to absorb the gravy. And as any good Durbanite knows (especially late night party-goers)… it’s always best eaten with your hands rather than a knife and fork!
There’s no actual rabbit – or bunny – in a Bunny Chow! It’s usually mutton (sheep)… although the original was apparently vegetarian.
Author Zuleikha Mayat says she believes the Bunny Chow was named after the merchant class of Indians who are known as ‘Bania’. Due to their religion they weren’t allowed to eat meat, which is why the first Bunny Chows were vegetarian.
Mayat says that when she first arrived in South Africa in 1947, the Bunny Chow was already being sold then! It’s taken a while for the rest of the world to catch on… but it’s happening!
Watch The Indian Dish You Can’t Find in India
https://www.facebook.com/BBCTravel/videos/1669435116409615/
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