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Home / Types / African

Bunny Chow

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Author: Imma Published:1/26/2016Updated:5/19/2021
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Bunny Chow – deliciously tasty South African Street food with made with aromatic spices, meat, chickpeas and potatoes served in hollow bread. A one-of-a-kind sandwich!

Bunny Chow

With winter in full swing, you can’t have enough comforting meals in your arsenal. I mean, think about it, why would want to make the same thing over and over again? That’s why you have me.

This it’s an absolutely perfect comfort food and you will not stop eating it. Again another favorite with hubby, he ate it for lunch, dinner and breakfast, until it was all gone. Forgot about everyone else – not good.

You will not come across a “sandwich” like this! Yes, indeed!

Bunny Chow is a very unique, portable and popular South African street food that exemplifies the natural fusion of South African Cuisine. A highly spiced curry that will get any spice lover excited, my kind of peeps!

Bunny Chow

Rest assured no bunnies are involved in this dish. It’s usually made with some sort of protein; Lamb, chicken or vegetables and oh so delicious! Served in a hollowed out bread bowl, makes it even more appealing for carb lovers.

Okay, the term bunny is another variation from the word “Bania“, an Indian class of traders who sold this tasty street food.

Bunny Chow

Don’t let the ingredients list scare, it’s simple and straight food and is no more complicated than making any stew. The only hard pressed decision is what to what meat to use. Or you can leave the meat for the carnivores and make it totally vegetarian or vegan if that’s your thing. Be sure to grab some bread from your neighborhood bakery and you are good to go. Or  serve it a non-traditional way with rice and some vegetables

Bunny Chow

Enjoy!!!!

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Bunny Chow
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Bunny Chow South Africa

Bunny Chow -Deliciously Tasty South African Street food with made with aromatic spices, meat, chickpeas and potatoes served in hollow bread. A one of a Kind Sandwich!
5 from 9 votes
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 40 mins
Total: 55 mins
African
Servings 4

Ingredients

  • 1 pound chicken thighs or breast cut in bite-sized pieces
  • 1/2 cup canola or cooking oil
  • 2-3 Curry leaves
  • 1 teaspoons minced ginger
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 1 Tablespoon curry powder or more
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 2 medium tomatoes diced
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 3 green cardamom pods lightly crushed
  • 8 ounce or less potatoes cleaned and cut into cubes
  • 1 15 ounce can chickpeas rinsed and drained
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional
  • 11/2 cup or more chicken broth or water
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • When ready to cook, heat up large Sauce- pan with oil, and add onions, garlic,ginger, cinnamon stick, curry leaves, cardamom pods and curry powder, stir occasionally for about 2-3 minutes until onions is translucent.
  • Add tomatoes followed by chicken, stir and sauté for about 2-3 more minutes. Add chicken stock/ water if necessary to prevent any burns
  • Next add chickpeas, potatoes and chicken broth , about 1 1 1/2 cup , add more as needed. Bring to a boil and let it simmer until sauce thickens, it might take about 25 minutes or more
  • Adjust for salt, pepper and stew consistency.

Nutrition Information:

Calories: 428kcal (21%)| Carbohydrates: 30g (10%)| Protein: 30g (60%)| Fat: 21g (32%)| Saturated Fat: 2g (13%)| Cholesterol: 107mg (36%)| Sodium: 445mg (19%)| Potassium: 901mg (26%)| Fiber: 9g (38%)| Sugar: 2g (2%)| Vitamin A: 1065IU (21%)| Vitamin C: 27.4mg (33%)| Calcium: 111mg (11%)| Iron: 5.1mg (28%)
Author: Imma
Course: Main
Cuisine: African
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Nutrition Facts
Bunny Chow South Africa
Amount Per Serving
Calories 428 Calories from Fat 189
% Daily Value*
Fat 21g32%
Saturated Fat 2g13%
Cholesterol 107mg36%
Sodium 445mg19%
Potassium 901mg26%
Carbohydrates 30g10%
Fiber 9g38%
Sugar 2g2%
Protein 30g60%
Vitamin A 1065IU21%
Vitamin C 27.4mg33%
Calcium 111mg11%
Iron 5.1mg28%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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Comments & Reviews
  1. david says

    Posted on 9/22 at 6:23PM

    How do you eat it? Not sure I understand what to do with it.

    Reply
    • ImmaculateBites says

      Posted on 9/27 at 5:20PM

      You eat it with the bread .

      Reply
  2. Lorna Sparkes says

    Posted on 9/7 at 9:18AM

    5 stars
    This is a great recipe, I first made this at the beginning of this year, since then i have made it at least a half a dozen times. It is one of our favourite dishes. I use individual tiger rolls and scoop out the middle.. I highly recommend this recipe. Thank you for sharing.

    Reply
    • imma africanbites says

      Posted on 9/9 at 9:07PM

      Thank you so much for taking the time to leave your feedback.

      Reply
  3. Gloria says

    Posted on 7/5 at 3:26AM

    5 stars
    Just get creative and use what you have on hand. Be it a loaf of bread or bread rolls turned into mini bunny chow meals. I am sure the family will enjoy this soul food recipe and the flavours it has to offer.

    Reply
    • ImmaculateBites says

      Posted on 7/5 at 12:18PM

      Agree! They sure would.

      Reply
  4. Hazel says

    Posted on 7/4 at 11:16AM

    When do you put the ginger in?

    Reply
    • ImmaculateBites says

      Posted on 7/6 at 6:22AM

      Together with the garlic . Recipe updated . Thanks

      Reply
  5. Shobana says

    Posted on 6/25 at 3:48PM

    No way. Bunny chow is made with a quarter, half, or full loaf of BREAD. Hollow it out and put a gravy curry in that hollowed out section, and put the hollowed out piece on top, and with salad on the side, and maybe pickle. It isn’t a sandwich; that is why it isn’t called a sandwich.

    Reply
  6. Angee says

    Posted on 9/21 at 10:47PM

    Is 1/2 cup of oil correct? Seems like a lot. Love your site!

    Reply
    • ImmaculateBites says

      Posted on 9/25 at 8:17PM

      Start with a 1/4 cup and add more , if desired .

      Reply
  7. Cassie Mavroleon says

    Posted on 4/13 at 4:51PM

    5 stars
    I made this for dinner for my boyfriend and I. Let me just say we loved it. It was delicious and will definitely cook it again. Very filling but delicious!

    Reply
    • imma africanbites says

      Posted on 4/15 at 6:10AM

      Yaaay! That’s great to know. Thank for taking the time to let me know. Now I want to make one. 🙂

      Reply
    • Oink says

      Posted on 5/11 at 9:54AM

      Am sure he chowed you well afterwards

      Reply
      • Wiseman says

        Posted on 8/8 at 8:06AM

        Haha! Indeed

    • Audrey Lovibond says

      Posted on 7/14 at 2:52AM

      Omg going to do this in the week,, sounds lovely.

      Reply
      • imma africanbites says

        Posted on 7/15 at 2:54AM

        Yes please. Enjoy! You’ll totally enjoy this.

  8. kulsum says

    Posted on 11/20 at 6:29AM

    how would you make a bread bowl

    Reply
    • ImmaculateBites says

      Posted on 11/22 at 6:33AM

      Do you mean a bread bowl from scratch? I usually purchase Italian bread from the market and scoop out the inside. Then fill with chickpeas.

      Reply
  9. Neli @ Delicious Meets Healthy says

    Posted on 2/1 at 9:09PM

    This looks like such a great comfort food. I love all the spices you used – they add soo much flavor to this meal!

    Reply
  10. Nagi@RecipeTinEats says

    Posted on 1/27 at 2:47PM

    5 stars
    It wil come as no surprise to you that this is totally up my alley! 🙂 My only question is this – how is it traditionally eaten?? As a sandwich – if so….logistics!!!!!???

    Reply
    • ImmaculateBites says

      Posted on 1/27 at 5:17PM

      Got you Nagi. It is traditionally eaten in hollowed out bread. Somewhat of large baguette divided in two and filled up to the brim. You can serve it in individual sized bread bowl.

      Reply
    • Markus says

      Posted on 4/18 at 11:44AM

      It was actually a product of racial segregation, in this case, “Apartheid”, which not only affected the africans in South Africa, but also indians who worked there.

      They were not allowed to eat in the restaurants, so they had to find something that was mobile which they could eat outsides somewhere

      The invention of the recipe itself were also from the indian community in South Africa.
      But they had to cook for all the workers so the africans got the same stuff.

      As indians traditionally eat with their hands it was done the following:
      – bread hollowed out, but served with the bread curry bowl itself
      – curry was very thick, even a bit thicker than in the pictures here – the stuff had to stick on the meat, and everything else should be not much more not to be able to soak into the bread.

      So eating with hands, and accompanied by the bread that was hollowed out

      Reply
      • Markus says

        Posted on 4/18 at 11:48AM

        ..also, traditionally, drier and thicker because the bread that was used was not such a nice bread, but only some kind of toast bread with a bit sturdier crust, but still, only a toast crust. So it really couldnt handle that it would be too much liquid.

        But nowadays, where one could eat on the table, and with these great bread that can be used, it is no problem to do it otherwise.

        Her recipe is great 🙂 Just wanted to add it

      • imma africanbites says

        Posted on 4/19 at 7:11PM

        Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Markus. I appreciate it. Have a lovely weekend!

  11. halima says

    Posted on 1/27 at 3:30AM

    this is very reach

    Reply
  12. Mark, CompassandFork says

    Posted on 1/27 at 12:50AM

    5 stars
    I like the bread bowl. Great looking curry.

    Reply
  13. AiPing | Curious Nut says

    Posted on 1/26 at 9:37PM

    So so goood… No bowls to wash too!

    Reply
  14. Valentina says

    Posted on 1/26 at 8:50PM

    This looks so cozy and comforting. Delicious!

    Reply
  15. Jenn says

    Posted on 1/26 at 5:42PM

    I love the idea of serving a hearty curry in a bread bowl type sandwich. I would leave out the meat and just do extra chickpeas, but it looks really good!

    Reply
    • ImmaculateBites says

      Posted on 1/26 at 6:06PM

      Thanks Jenn!

      Reply
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