Johannesburg, affectionately referred to as "Jo'Burg" and "City of Gold," is a South African city famous for its epic history of the Gold Rush. It is a city where Nelson Mandela once lived, and today, it draws travelers to experience its exceptional traditional South African cuisine while exploring the city's splendor.

Jo'burg's cuisine is a mash-up of dishes from its multicultural population, including Zimbabweans, Mozambicans, Nigerians, and Somalis, as well as Chinese and Indians. Even though it has a diverse culinary scene, meat remains the centerpiece of South Africa's cuisine. A famous meat dish is biltong, which is preserved meat marinated in spices to give it an exceptional, typical South African flavor. Long ago, before the invention of refrigerators, South Africans used to preserve dried meat, which is where biltong originated and is now part of its culture.

Bunny chow is another well-liked dish that features a loaf of bread filled with flavorful lamb curry.

Food lovers will find plenty of culinary treats in Johannesburg. A well-known dish that can be found everywhere in Johannesburg is Pap. It is a staple maize dish that is served with meat, vegetables, and other curries. Try the chakalaka, a must-have side dish that will enhance the flavor of any dish you try. It is a combo of various ingredients like beans, carrots, tomatoes, and peppers, all mixed with spices to give it a distinctive taste.

For dessert, enjoy the malva pudding, which resembles a spongy cake made with apricot jam, or try melktert (milk tart), a dessert that has been relished for centuries. It is a delicious baked custard tart with a crust and a creamy filling of milk, sugar, and eggs—an ideal way to cap off a South African meal.

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