Our few weeks in South Africa were filled with beautiful beaches and landscapes, insightful museums, and life-changing experiences, discovering the history and culture of Cape Town. Out of the many excursions and field trips we went on, one of my personal favorites was the Bo-Kaap cooking class where we made traditional Cape Malay food. Bo-Kaap is a historic, brightly colored neighborhood famous for its houses and Cape Malay culture, blending Indonesian, Southeast Asian and African traditions and influences.

After a walking tour filled with various art museums, we went to our tour guide’s home and learned to cook with his family! We made chicken curry, roti and samosas. Additionally, we got to sample daltjies, a spinach and sweet corn fritter.

Everything was delicious, and we ate outside in their beautiful garden. Their food is rich and fragrant, balancing sweet and savory flavors without too much heat, often using a specific mix of spices in their own Cape Malay Masala. Our hosts’ homemade peach rooibos tea was absolutely amazing, and I am currently trying my best to recreate it at home.

We left with a spice blend and cookbook as souvenirs, and I am really looking forward to introducing my family and friends to this delicious cuisine. I am grateful to have gotten the opportunity to cook firsthand with locals and be welcomed into their home. Learning about the history of Bo-Kaap and their ongoing struggle to keep out foreign developers was impactful, and I cannot wait to go back and enjoy more of their wonderful, inviting culture.

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Learn more about this blogger’s study abroad program: Race and Politics in South Africa