Xhosa dishes like sheep's head served in style
XHOSA dishes like tripe and “smileys” (sheep’s heads) have for years been prepared and sold on street corners and taxi ranks, with suburbanites going to the townships for a taste of traditional food.
But an East London businesswoman, Nocwaka Nkohla , has brought the concept to an upmarket restaurant, serving traditional home-cooked food in fine style.
Kulcha Taste African Lounge and Jazz Cafe in Devereux Centre in Vincent has become a hot spot for those who occasionally dabble in African cuisine and aren’t really intimated by the thought of packing on a kilo or two.
In a city where there is a shortage of restaurants that dish up traditional African food, Kulcha Taste has managed to keep the regulars coming for more and celebrated its first year in business last Thursday.
The Saturday Dispatch visited the restaurant earlier this week to find out what the hype was about and to see if the food lived up to expectations.
The venue, decorated with African-themed paintings and vases, offers a variety of seating options.
The atmosphere is homely and service is quick, with the menu offering a variety of dishes that many love to eat but do not have the time to prepare at home.
“Smiley”, roasted bread , steamed bread, ox tongue, dumplings, liver, and ginger beer are some of the Xhosa fare one can enjoy.
For vegetarians, a variety of salads are available.
The meals are also affordable and some cost as little as R40.
Nkohla , who ran a successful catering business from her home for five years, said Kulcha Taste was a unique restaurant that offered something different to East London’s middle and upper classes.
“Honestly, I never did any market research to find out how East Londoners are likely to respond to this kind of business. I always wanted an empty space to open a restaurant because I was tired of working from home and then I saw this space while I was driving along Devereux Avenue,” she said.
The Kulcha Taste idea was sparked off by her sister, who has a similar business in Mthatha.
'Smileys' on menu at upmarket restaurant
Xhosa dishes like sheep's head served in style
XHOSA dishes like tripe and “smileys” (sheep’s heads) have for years been prepared and sold on street corners and taxi ranks, with suburbanites going to the townships for a taste of traditional food.
But an East London businesswoman, Nocwaka Nkohla , has brought the concept to an upmarket restaurant, serving traditional home-cooked food in fine style.
Kulcha Taste African Lounge and Jazz Cafe in Devereux Centre in Vincent has become a hot spot for those who occasionally dabble in African cuisine and aren’t really intimated by the thought of packing on a kilo or two.
In a city where there is a shortage of restaurants that dish up traditional African food, Kulcha Taste has managed to keep the regulars coming for more and celebrated its first year in business last Thursday.
The Saturday Dispatch visited the restaurant earlier this week to find out what the hype was about and to see if the food lived up to expectations.
The venue, decorated with African-themed paintings and vases, offers a variety of seating options.
The atmosphere is homely and service is quick, with the menu offering a variety of dishes that many love to eat but do not have the time to prepare at home.
“Smiley”, roasted bread , steamed bread, ox tongue, dumplings, liver, and ginger beer are some of the Xhosa fare one can enjoy.
For vegetarians, a variety of salads are available.
The meals are also affordable and some cost as little as R40.
Nkohla , who ran a successful catering business from her home for five years, said Kulcha Taste was a unique restaurant that offered something different to East London’s middle and upper classes.
“Honestly, I never did any market research to find out how East Londoners are likely to respond to this kind of business. I always wanted an empty space to open a restaurant because I was tired of working from home and then I saw this space while I was driving along Devereux Avenue,” she said.
The Kulcha Taste idea was sparked off by her sister, who has a similar business in Mthatha.
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