Ask just about any South African living abroad what they miss about home and somewhere near the top of their list will be: “The food.”
Don’t get us wrong – it’s seldom something lavish or high-end. More often than not it’s those humble pantry items they took for granted while living at home. Ricoffy to sip before work. Simba Chips to crunch during rugby. Ouma Rusks dunked in Five Roses tea. Mrs Ball’s Chutney squeezed over the weekends’ braai. For better or worse, these are the flavours you grow up with and they quickly become part of our daily routines, family traditions and cherished memories.
Fast-forward to life abroad.
The initial attempts at hunting local supermarkets becomes a novelty. You saunter down the aisles sure that there must be something comparable. There must be!? Every country has rusks! Surely there’s another chutney that tastes like Mrs Ball’s? One brand of potato chips can’t possibly taste that different…
It won’t be long before you come to a realisation that plenty of South Africans learn once they move away: you may be able to find alternatives but very few taste the same.
That’s because South African food isn’t just about ingredients – it’s grandma’s recipes perfected over decades, trusted brands, local farming practices, unique flavour profiles and traditions you won’t find replicated in other countries.
For many South Africans living overseas, having a box packed full of familiar grocery items from home is about so much more than mere sustenance; it’s a taste of home.
No matter if you’ve been abroad for a few months or two decades – there are certain tastes that will instantly transport you back to family kitchens, weekend braais, packed school lunches and lazy road trips through the Karoo.
In this ultimate guide we unpack the foods South Africans miss most when living overseas, explain why they’re so hard to find (or eat abroad) and share where to still get hold of genuine South African favourites wherever you’ve ended up!
Why Is South African Food So Difficult to Find Overseas?
So here’s a question we’ve all asked ourselves at least once. If your local supermarket stocks food from every corner of the globe, why are South African products still so hard to find?
There are lots of reasons that South African food is hard to replace – even if companies try to import the items from home.
Why South African Products Are Hard to Find Abroad
Old Recipes
Let’s start with the obvious. Many of SA’s favourite brands have been using largely the same recipes for decades.
Think Ouma Rusks, Mrs Ball’s Chutney, Bakers biscuits and Five Roses Tea. Brands like these have become institution’s because customers know what to expect every time.
If another company overseas creates a similar product – the taste is just different.
Maybe it’s sweeter.
Maybe it’s saltier.
Maybe it just doesn’t taste like what you remember growing up in South Africa. That’s what you find yourself yearning for when you can’t get your hands on authentic South African products.
Ingredients
It’s not just the recipe – many South African products are made with locally sourced ingredients or flavour blends specific to SA tastes.
Even something as simple as tomato sauce, chutney or potato chips can taste noticeably different because of:
- The variety of tomatoes used.
- Different spice blends.
- Sugar content.
- Vinegar recipes.
- Cooking methods.
- Local manufacturing processes.
While these differences may seem small on paper, they're immediately noticeable to someone who has been eating the original product for years.
Every Country Has Different Taste Preferences
Food manufacturers naturally adapt products to suit local markets. For example, crisps sold in the United Kingdom, Australia or Canada are often seasoned very differently to appeal to local consumers.
South Africans, however, have developed a love for bold, savoury flavours.
Think of the unmistakable taste of:
- Simba Mrs Ball's Chutney Chips
- NikNaks Cheese
- Salt & Vinegar Simba Chips
- Aromat sprinkled over popcorn or chips
These flavour combinations have become part of South African food culture and simply aren't common in many other countries.
It's More Than Food—It's Memory
Perhaps the biggest reason South Africans struggle to replace familiar brands has nothing to do with the ingredients at all.
Food is closely connected to memory. Scientists have long recognised that smell and taste are strongly linked to emotional recall. A familiar flavour can instantly bring back memories of childhood, family gatherings or special occasions.
For South Africans living overseas, certain foods become emotional touchpoints.
- One bite of a Romany Cream.
- The smell of Rooibos brewing.
- The crunch of an Ouma Rusk.
The sweetness of a Peppermint Crisp.
Suddenly you're not thousands of kilometres from home anymore. You're sitting at your grandmother's kitchen table.
You're watching cricket with your dad. You're packing the car before a December holiday road trip. You're standing around a braai with family and friends.
That's why replacing South African food is often impossible. You're not just replacing the taste. You're trying to replace the memories.
The South African Foods Expats Miss Most
Every South African has their own list, but some products appear again and again whenever expats are asked what they wish they could find more easily overseas.
These aren't necessarily luxury foods. They're simply the everyday products that quietly became part of life back home.
Let's start with one that almost always tops the list.
1. Ouma Rusks – The Taste of Every South African Morning
If South Africa had an unofficial breakfast, Ouma Rusks would most certainly be on the menu. For generations, South Africans have begun their day dunking a hard buttermilk rusk into a hot cup of coffee or tea. It’s a ritual so engrained in our routines that we don’t even question it – until we leave the country.
And then reality hits.
You can’t find rusks like ours overseas. Well, you can – but they’re just not the same. The texture is all wrong.
Some are too hard. Some are too sweet. Many fall apart in your coffee.
- Ouma Rusks are more than just biscuits.
- They’re breakfast on your way to school.
- They’re waking up early on a farm.
- They’re chatting around the kitchen table.
- They’re gran’s pantry staple.
Many South Africans travelling abroad will make sure there’s still space in their suitcase for a packet of Ouma Rusks. Because one dunk into a cup of coffee is all it takes to feel just a little closer to home.
2. Mrs Ball's Chutney – The Bottle That Belongs at Every Braai
Few condiments are capable of commanding quite the fan following enjoyed by Mrs Ball’s Chutney.
Drop its name into conversation with a South African expat and you’re likely to hear … “It just doesn’t compare. You can’t substitute it.”
Ask anyone who’s lived abroad for a while and they’ll know exactly what you mean.
A fixture on restaurant tables and kitchen cupboards across South Africa for over 100 years, Mrs Ball’s has its groove firmly embedded in South African cuisine. Whether it’s slathering it on a cheese sandwich, stirring it through a curry or marinade, or simply dolloping it onto the table as an essential condiment for the South African braai, few households don’t have a recipe that includes Mrs Ball’s.
Once you’ve left home, you’ll appreciate it more than ever.
Venture into the international aisle of your local supermarket abroad and you’ll find mango chutneys, fruit chutneys and any number of other global relishes jostling for space on the shelves. Admittedly, they’ll all do in a pinch, but they’ll never taste quite the same.
That delicate ratio of sweet fruitiness, vinegar and spices that makes Mrs Ball’s Chutney so unique is hard to find anywhere else.
Few foods have been so culturally ingrained in South Africa as Mrs Ball’s.
It’s not just a condiment. It’s a tradition.
3. Simba Chips – More Than Just Crisps
Potato chips can be found in almost every country in the world.
But very few have Simba Chips.
South Africans are spoiled for choice when it comes to flavours not available in most other countries’ supermarkets.
- Mrs Ball’s Chutney.
- Smoked Beef.
- Steakhouse Beef.
- Tomato Sauce.
- Salt & Vinegar.
Year after year, each flavour has developed its own following.
Maybe that’s because for as long as we can remember Simba Chips have been a part of so many South African experiences.
Cheering on our teams at rugby. Family movie nights. Picking up snacks at your school tuck shop. Road trips. Braais on the weekend.
Ask anyone who has lived abroad for a while and they’ll probably tell you they’ve dreamt of Simba Chips while overseas. It’s common for South Africans to crave them years after leaving home.
We try the local versions when we land, sure. Some come close enough to fool us. But nothing compares to the taste of Simba.
4. NikNaks – A Snack That Defies Description
Try describing NikNaks to someone from outer space who has never tasted them before.
- “They’re crunchy.”
- “They’re cheesy.”
- “They’re puffed maize snacks.”
But it still doesn’t really feel like that explains NikNaks enough, does it?
Ask any South African and they’ll tell you NikNaks are a South African icon.
Kids would find them in their school lunches.
Teenagers would purchase them at school tuck shops.
Working professionals will still grab a packet to munch on whilst watching sport or socialising with friends.
With their unique texture and strong cheese flavour, NikNaks are instantly recognisable. Just another reason why sometimes we miss the simple snacks more than fancy dinners.
5. Bakers Tennis Biscuits – The Secret Ingredient South Africans Never Stop Using
Head into the kitchen of most South Africans and chances are you’ll find a packet of Bakers Tennis Biscuits tucked away somewhere in a cupboard.
Made using coconut, syrup and flour, Tennis Biscuits are famed amongst locals. Not only are they scrumptious to munch on by themselves. They’re used to make some of South Africa’s most popular desserts.
No fridge tart is made without Tennis Biscuits. Lots of cheesecakes are made using Tennis Biscuits for that ultimate biscuit base.
And some families even use them for trifles. If you’ve ever lived abroad, Tennis Biscuits are probably the thing South Africans miss most about not being home.
Craving them is what inspires us to bake, but getting your hands on them means you can make grandma’s recipes how she used to make them.
6. Peppermint Crisp – The Chocolate That Built a National Dessert
Sure, there’s chocolate. There’s also Peppermint Crisp. Introduced many years ago, this proudly South African chocolate bar is known for one thing and one thing only:
The Peppermint Crisp Tart. Rarely does a dessert grace as many South African family tables. Be it Christmas lunch, a birthday celebration or Sunday braai, no one makes a Peppermint Crisp Tart quite like Mama does. It’s a family tradition that’s been passed down through the generations.
But without genuine Peppermint Crisp chocolate, it’s just not the same. That’s why so many South Africans abroad go to great lengths to source the real thing, instead of settling for “mint chocolate” from wherever they’re living.
7. Five Roses Tea – A Cup of Home
People all over the world drink tea. South Africans drink tea. But we think of one brand in particular. For decades, Five Roses Tea has filled cups at breakfast, church socials, sports clubs and family visits.
Its unique taste has been part of countless hours of conversation.
Friends gossiping. Grandma and grandpa sharing stories. Mum and Dad relaxing after a hard day.
Five Roses isn't loved just for its tea. It's loved for all of the moments that happened whilst enjoying its tea. Sure there are millions of brands of tea worldwide. But ask any South African, and they will tell you there's no taste quite like Five Roses.
8. Ricoffy – South Africa's Favourite Instant Coffee
If you were raised in South Africa, there’s a strong possibility that your very first coffee experience didn’t involve freshly ground espresso beans.
You were introduced to Ricoffy. That unmistakable smell simmering on the stove as you got ready for school in the mornings is etched into the minds of millions of South Africans.
For generations its creamy taste has been the consistent coffee choice in South African homes. If you’ve ever lived abroad, you’ll realise how strange it is that every country has their own version of instant coffee.
Whilst there are many options to choose from, none taste quite like good ol’ Ricoffy.
9. Rooibos Tea – South Africa in a Cup
But Rooibos isn’t something that can easily be substituted or made elsewhere. True Rooibos only grows in the Cederberg area of the Western Cape.
That distinct growing process is what gives it the smooth, naturally sweet taste we know and love. And if there’s one thing that South Africans drink besides coffee and milk it’s Rooibos.
Parents served it to us as kids. We serve it to guests. We drink it before bed. We drink it when we don’t feel good. And since it’s naturally caffeine-free, families tend to drink it all day long.
While you can now find Rooibos almost everywhere, lots of expats seek out South African brands just to know they’re getting the real thing.
10. Aromat – South Africa's Favourite Seasoning
Ask a South African what belongs on popcorn. There's a good chance they'll answer: Aromat.
But that's only the beginning.
South Africans sprinkle Aromat on:
- Chips.
- Avocados.
- Eggs.
- Tomatoes.
- Sandwiches.
- Salads.
- Braaied mielies.
- Even toast.
It has become one of those products that quietly finds its way into almost every meal. Move overseas and suddenly it disappears from supermarket shelves.
Only then do many people realise just how often they reached for that familiar yellow container.
11. All Gold Tomato Sauce – More Than Just Ketchup
To many people overseas, tomato sauce is simply ketchup. South Africans know there's a difference.
All Gold Tomato Sauce has developed a reputation for its rich tomato flavour and smooth consistency that generations have enjoyed with everything from boerewors rolls to chips and meat pies.
For many expats, no braai feels complete without a bottle sitting on the table alongside mustard and Mrs Ball's Chutney. Like so many South African favourites, it's not just about taste.
It's about tradition.
12. Romany Creams – The Biscuit That Never Needed Improving
Some biscuits come and go. Romany Creams have remained favourites for generations. The combination of crunchy chocolate coconut biscuits with rich chocolate filling has made them one of South Africa's best-loved treats.
They've accompanied countless lunchboxes, tea breaks and family visits. Many South Africans overseas admit that they've searched supermarket shelves hoping to find something similar.
Most eventually conclude the same thing. There simply isn't one.
Why These Foods Matter More Than We Realise
One of the most interesting things about moving overseas is discovering which foods you actually miss.
It's rarely expensive restaurant meals. Instead, it's the products that quietly formed part of everyday life. The biscuits your grandmother always served with tea.
The seasoning your parents put on everything. The chips you bought after school. The coffee waiting on the kitchen counter every morning.
These aren't just groceries. They're traditions. They're memories. They're reminders of where you come from. And perhaps that's why so many South Africans go out of their way to find authentic South African food, no matter where they live.
Because sometimes home isn't measured in kilometres. Sometimes it's measured in flavours.
The Foods South Africans Can’t Live Without Packing In Their Suitcase
You know you’ve waited at an international baggage carousel after flying into Johannesburg or Cape Town when you see this….
Plastic wrapped suitcases.
Taped boxes.
And lots of bags full of South African food.
Because before they leave to go back home, many South Africans hit up the grocery store with an empty suitcase and one big grocery list.
It’s not because these items are pricey overseas…but they can be difficult to find there!
Some of the most common items packed into luggage include:
- Ouma Rusks
- Rooibos Tea
- Five Roses Tea
- Ricoffy
- Mrs Ball's Chutney
- Aromat
- All Gold Tomato Sauce
- Bakers Tennis Biscuits
- Peppermint Crisp
- Simba Chips
- NikNaks
- Beacon chocolates
- Chappies
- Wilson's Toffees
- Jelly Tots
- Cream Soda
- Oros Concentrate
For many travellers, there's a certain satisfaction in hearing friends overseas ask, "Did you remember to bring the Mrs Ball's?"
It's a reminder that South African food has a remarkable way of bringing people together.
The First Meal Many South Africans Ask for When They Come Home
Ask a group of expats what they want to eat after landing back in South Africa and you'll hear some passionate answers.
While everyone has their own favourite, certain meals appear again and again.
A Proper South African Braai
Not just any barbecue. A real South African braai with boerewors, lamb chops, steak, pap, garlic bread, salads and plenty of Mrs Ball's Chutney on the table.
It's as much about the atmosphere as the food itself.
The smell of the fire.
Family gathered outside.
Children playing in the garden.
Friends telling stories long after the meat has finished cooking.
Vetkoek
Freshly fried vetkoek filled with mince, syrup or jam remains high on many returning South Africans' lists.
Simple.
Comforting.
Impossible to forget.
Bunny Chow
Especially for South Africans from KwaZulu-Natal, nothing quite replaces an authentic Bunny Chow.
Many people attempt to recreate it overseas.
Very few manage to capture the same flavour.
Koeksisters
From syrup-drenched Afrikaner or spiced Cape Malay… koeksisters are one of South Africa’s most beloved sweet treats.
They are also usually the first thing you start looking for once you get back home if you’re an expat!
Sharing South African Food with Overseas Friends
Sharing your culture with others who live abroad is one of the perks of living overseas. Food is usually where the assimilation process begins.
Once you start inviting friends around for a South African braai or meal, people tend to become quite intrigued by unfamiliar products.
Some of the easiest favourites to introduce include:
- Biltong
- Droëwors
- Ouma Rusks
- Rooibos Tea
- Peppermint Crisp
- Mrs Ball's Chutney
- Romany Creams
- Bakers Tennis Biscuits
Many people are surprised by how different South African flavours are from products they're familiar with. That's one reason South African food often becomes a conversation starter wherever it's shared.
Why Authentic South African Products Matter
When you’re homesick, close enough doesn’t cut it. If you walk into your local supermarket overseas you’ll probably find products that try to replicate South African favourites.
A jar of fruit chutney pretending to be Mrs Ball’s. An herbal tea masquerading as Rooibos. Chocolate coated biscuit that aren’t Romany Creams.
They might look the same. But they’ll never taste the same. Only products that are genuinely made in South Africa are manufactured to the original recipes, with authentic ingredients and traditional production methods that you remember from home.
That’s why most expats would rather go out of their way to buy real South African brands than buy a substitute.
It’s the only way to truly taste home.
Buying South African Products From Overseas
Over the last 10 years or so it’s become much easier to source authentic South African food from overseas.
With specialist retailers like Saffa Trading offering authentic groceries from South Africa you can rest easy knowing you can enjoy the same brands you grew up with without having to wait until the next visitors come to town.
Looking for long shelf life pantry items? Or maybe an authentic snack or drink? Missing your favourite braai products?
When you buy South African food and groceries from a specialist retailer, you know that the products you are getting are the real thing, imported directly from South African suppliers you can trust.
Give yourself a treat and enjoy a cup of Rooibos before bed or indulge in a dunkable ouma rusk with your morning coffee. Whatever it is you fancy from home we can help you keep your South African traditions alive – wherever you are in the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
What food do South Africans miss most when they move overseas?
Everyone has different favourites, but common products that South Africans miss include Ouma Rusks, Mrs Ball’s Chutney, Rooibos Tea, Ricoffy, Simba Chips, Bakers Tennis Biscuits and Aromat.
Why is it so difficult to find South African food overseas?
Many South African products are made specifically for the local market only and aren’t exported widely. Also some countries have restrictions on importing certain products or there may not be sufficient demand.
Can I order real South African food online?
Yes. At Saffa Trading we offer a wide range of genuine South African groceries for customers living abroad.
Why doesn’t food from other countries taste the same?
Recipes, ingredients and manufacturing processes can vary greatly from country to country. Products that may look the same often have subtle (or not so subtle) differences in taste.
What snacks should I introduce my international friends to?
Many South Africans agree that biltong and droëwors should always be first on the list. You should also try tempting them with Ouma Rusks, Romany Creams, Peppermint Crisp bars, NikNaks and Simba Chips.
Does Rooibos only grow in South Africa?
Yes. While there are companies around the world that sell teas blended with Rooibos, only South Africa grows the actual Rooibos plant. And it only grows in the Cederberg region of the Western Cape.
What South African food and drink travels well?
Because rusks, biscuits, chocolate, tea, coffee and oils have a long shelf life they are all suitable for bringing home from South Africa. Chutneys and spice mixes are also excellent South African products to bring back when travelling. Make sure to check the customs requirements for your destination country before packing food in your suitcase.
Why do South Africans dunk their rusks?
According to some, dunking your rusk is a skill learnt at a young age. When you dunk your rusk it slightly softens the outside but still allows you to maintain that satisfying crunch in the middle.
Which South African foods make great gifts?
If you’re looking for ways to introduce your international friends or relatives to South African tastes, our most popular foods for gifts are Rooibos tea, Ouma Rusks, Mrs Ball’s Chutney, Peppermint Crisp, Bakers assortment biscuits and deliciously packaged gourmetbiltong.
Can I recreate South African recipes when living abroad?
Yes of course you can. But did you know that using authentic South African ingredients can make a big difference to the flavour of your food? Cooking staples like Mrs Ball’s Chutney, Bakers Tennis Biscuits and Rooibos Tea are great for helping you recreate those favourite South African recipes just how you remember them.
What’s the difference between rusks and biscuits?
Rusks are baked twice which gives them their hard crunchy texture. This makes them perfect for dunking in a coffee or cup of tea. Biscuits on the other hand are only baked once.
Which South African foods have the longest shelf life?
Look for products with long use-by dates like Rooibos Tea, Ouma Rusks, Aromat, instant coffee, biscuits and most pantry staples.
Conclusion
South African food has a special way of connecting us with family, home and fond memories.
For expats living overseas, it’s often the simple things that we love about South African food that we miss most. Whether it’s that cup of Rooibos tea with your dinner, dunking an Ouma Rusk in your morning coffee or spooning just a little bit too much of that deliciously sweet Mrs Ball’s Chutney on your slice of toasted focaccia at your family braai. These aren’t just groceries, they’re our heritage. Recipes and tastes that have been passed down from one South African family to the next for generations.
Although we love settling into a new place abroad and trying different cuisines and customs, it is comforting to know that we can still enjoy tastes of home when we want them. Whether you’re bringing international friends and family around for dinner, or you’re trying to recreate those home cooked meals with your own family overseas, authentic South African groceries can help keep those traditions going.
At Saffa Trading we’re passionate about making sure that South Africans living abroad can still enjoy the tastes they know and love. That’s why we stock everything from well known brands and pantry essentials to South African snacks, sweets, drinks and braai favourites.
Because sometimes the quickest way back home isn’t a plane ride. It’s that first bite of your favourite South African food.
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