Bunny chow
mutton" bunny with topping | |
Type | Curry, sandwich, bread bowl |
---|---|
Course | Lunch, dinner, snack |
Place of origin | South Africa |
Region or state | Durban |
Created by | Indian South Africans |
Serving temperature | Hot |
Main ingredients | Bread, curry |
Bunny chow, often referred to simply as a bunny,
History
Bunny chow was created in Durban, South Africa, which is home to a large community of people of
, formerly known as Gatooma.Stories of the origin of bunny chow date as far back as the migrant Indian workers' arrival in South Africa. One account suggests that these laborers who came to work the
Etymology
One story claims that a South African restaurant run by
The traditional Indian meal was roti and beans, but the roti tended to fall apart as a take-away item. To solve this, the centre portion of a loaf of white bread was hollowed out and filled with curry, then the filling was capped with the portion that was carved out.
Cuisine
Bunny chows are popular amongst Indians and other ethnic groups in the Durban area. Bunny chows are commonly filled with curries made using traditional recipes from Durban:
, this includes chopped tomatoes, onions, and green chilies served with white vinegar. Other sides include Indian pickles, such as mango pickle, lime or lemon pickle, vegetable pickles and other seasonal varieties which are pickled. A key desirable characteristic of a bunny chow is seen when gravy from the curry fillings soaks into the walls of the bread. Sharing a single bunny chow is not uncommon.Bunny chows come in quarter, half and full loaves. When ordering a bunny chow in Durban, the local slang dictates that you need only ask for a "quarter mutton" (or flavour and size of your choice); colloquially, people would say, "Can I have a quarter mutton bunny?" Bunny chows are mainly eaten using the fingers; it is unusual to see locals use utensils when eating this dish.
Bunny chows were historically packaged in the previous day's newspaper. This is no longer common, and takeaway bunnies are more typically sold in "bunny boxes" which retain heat and prevent leaks from the curry.
Bunny chows are available in many small takeaways and Indian restaurants throughout South Africa. The price ranges from
Each year, the "Bunny Chow Barometer" is held in September on the south bank of the Umgeni River, just above Blue Lagoon (a popular Sunday picnic spot for Durban Indians), attracting numerous entrants from across the Durban Metro region to compete for the title of top bunny maker.[8]
See also
- Bunny Chow – 2006 film by John Barker
- Gatsby (sandwich) – South African sandwich
- List of African dishes – Dishes found in African cuisine
- South African cuisine – Cuisine of South Africa
- Curry bread – Japanese curry-filled fried pastry
References
- ^ Jackson, Allan (2003). "More on the Bunny Chow". Facts About Durban (South Africa). Retrieved 22 August 2011.
- ISBN 9780609607046. Retrieved 28 September 2015.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-59884-955-4.
- ^ Platt, Josephine (12 January 2017). "The Mystery of Durban's Signature Dish Bunny Chow". Culture Trip. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
- ^ Warwicker, Michelle (20 January 2014). "What is bunny chow?". BBC Food. Archived from the original on 19 June 2018. Retrieved 28 September 2015.
- ^ ]
- ^ "Legends". Quarterbunny. Archived from the original on 13 January 2013. Retrieved 28 September 2015.
- ^ Lutchman, Chanelle (29 August 2018). "Coca Cola Bunny Chow Barometer Competition 14 years running". IOL. Retrieved 1 October 2019.