South African cuisine reflects its colonial history and diverse cultural influences, with a strong love of meat at its core. Cape Dutch cooking, influenced by Dutch settlers and slaves from Bengal, Java, and Malaysia, features meat dishes spiced with allspice and nutmeg. Cape Malay cuisine, shaped by Indonesian slaves, brought Islamic traditions and dishes like bobotie, koeksisters, and sosaties. Today, South African food blends European techniques with Eastern spices, showcasing a unique culinary heritage centered around flavorful, meat-based dishes.