Ask any South African living abroad what they miss most about home, and their answer usually involves food. Eating is an international pastime and when it comes to snacks, South Africans certainly have a wide and varied palate. Realising that there’s nothing quite like the taste of home, The South African Shop has cornered the “local is lekker” market down under, providing freshly imported goods from back home to South Africans living in Australia. It’s a sizeable market, with roughly 28 425 South Africans living in Sydney, 18 828 in Perth and 17 318 in Melbourne and 12 821 in Brisbane. So what is it that South Africans are flocking to buy at this store? Only everything that you could possibly imagine – every nostalgic snack and tidbit made in South Africa to make your tummy smile.
What are South Africa’s most loved snacks?
It’s hard to narrow it down because everyone has their favourite of everything. See if you can spot your fav’ below.
South African chips
- Big Korn Bites
- Flings
- Ghost Pops
- Simba Chips (Mrs. Balls Chutney flavour for the win!)
- NikNaks
South African chocolates
- Chomp
- Peppermint Crisp
- Top Deck
- Lunch Bar
- TV Bar
South African sweets
- Chappies bubblegum (Did you know?)
- Fizzers (the pink ones!)
- Fizz Pop (grape or cola!)
- Funny faces
- Wilson Toffees
- Apricot Balls
South African treats
- Biltong
- Ouma Rusks (dip ‘n ouma)
- Iced Zoo Biscuits
- Salticrax
- Jolly Jammers
- Romany Creams
- Quality Street assorted chocs
South African condiments
- All Gold Tomato Sauce
- Aromat
- Bovril
- Chakalaka
- Monkeygland Sauce
- Mrs Balls Chutney
- Pecks Anchovette/Redro (aka fish paste)
- Ultramel custard
South African drinks
- Rooibos tea
- Ginger beer
- Yogi Sip
- Steri Stumpie/Super M
- Tropika
South African alcoholic beverages (met eish ja!)
- Amarula/Cape Velvet
- Klipdrift Brandy
- KWV Brandy
- Captain Morgan Spiced Gold
- Any South African wine (there are loads!)
Where is The South African Shop in Melbourne?
Caulfield Store:
- 461 Hawthorn Road
- Caulfield South, Melbourne, Victoria, 3162-
- Mon – Fri, 9:30am – 5:30pm-
- Saturday, 9:30am – 4:00pm-
- Sunday, 10am – 4:00pm
Templestowe Store:
- Shop 7 & 8, 112 James Street, Templestowe, Melbourne, Victoria, 3106
- Mon – Fri, 9:30am – 5:30pm
- Saturday, 9:30am – 4:00pm
- Sunday 10:00am – 2:00pm
Where can you order South African products online? The South African Shop, of course.
If you’re nowhere near the physical store locations, do not fear, you can still order all your South African treasures online with delivery across Australia.
So what kind of South African delicacies can you find in this store? The South African Shop has everything from All Gold Diced Tomatoes to Ace Samp and a six pack of Amstel. You can also buy biltong and boerewors, you’ll find all your favourite biscuits and crackers and a wide range of baking goods. They’ve also carefully curated everything you’ll need to have a braai (NOT a barbie!) that tastes just like it would back home. Braai spices, marinades and accompaniments like beetroot salad, veggie bake, atchar and Nando’s Perinaise will give your taste buds that kick they’ve been craving.
You can bake some of your favourite South African inspired recipes with a range of baking aids, including Ina Paarman’s divine box cakes, Illovo Golden Syrup and Nestle Caramel Treat.
You’ll also find everything you need to make and enjoy your favourite cuppa, including Five Roses Tea, Freshpak Rooibos, Frisco or Ricoffy and, of course Cremora (it’s not inside, it’s on top!) and everyone’s favourite milk additive – Nesquik. What goes with a nice cuppa? A nice biscuit, of course! You can either dunk your favourite Ouma rusk, or you could choose from Eet Sum Mors, Romany Creams, Lemon Creams, Boudoir biscuits, Tennis Biscuits or Strawberry Whirls. (OMW, yum!)
To satisfy your sweet tooth, there is usually a satisfying assortment of South African sugary treats in stock but move fast because these items quickly sell. Think Jelly Tots and Chappies, Liquorice All Sorts, Speckled Eggs and Astros, Lunch Bars and Crunchies, P.S Bars and more.
When it comes to beverages, The South African Shop has all the bases covered – from Appletizer to Oros, Fanta Grape to Mazoe, Sparberry, Iron Brew and Creme Soda – you’ll find all your favourite thirst quenchers right here. That includes, of course, South African booze – from Cape Velvet to Castle, Hansa to Hunter’s – they’ve got the tipple you’ve been craving.
And if you happen to discover that nothing cleans like the products you’re used to back home, The South African Shop imports a range of cleaning goodies that will make your life easier. Domestos, Handy Andy, Jeyes Fluid and Cobra will all have your home sparkling in no time. As for personal hygiene, there’s nothing like the scent of South African toiletries to give you a boost – take a deep whiff of the nostalgic scent of Breeze soap, Sunlight soap, and Zambuk or savour the minty burn of Colgate and Aquafresh toothpastes, and take care of those dry elbows and knees with Ingrams Camphor Cream. Everything you need to feel South African, from head to toe.
Looking to make some South African inspired dishes in your new home?
Sharing the cuisine of your birthplace with your new neighbours is a wonderful bonding experience. Now that you know where to get your hands on South African ingredients, we’ve put together a few of our favourite recipes that show off our local flavour. Which is your favourite?
SIDE NOTE: Take a look at this list of where to find South African foods in Australia for even more shopping destinations for your homesick taste buds.
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