The bunny chow is a hollowed-out loaf of bread filled with curry. Invented by South Africa’s ethnic Indian community and traditionally eaten without a knife and fork, bunny chows are one of this country’s best-kept culinary secrets.
I ate my first bunny chow nearly four years ago, a week or two after moving here. The photographic evidence is comical — see pictures here. (Neela’s, the Melville restaurant that I wrote about in that post, has since closed.)
Bunny chows are a local specialty in Durban and some hard-core enthusiasts refuse to eat them anywhere else. I have eaten a few Durban bunnies (I’ll tell you about my most recent one in a future post) and they are indeed beyond compare. But there is a legendary Sandton dive, Curry-n-All, which is known to be the best place in Joburg to order a bunny chow. I went last week to see for myself.
A mutton curry bunny chow from Curry-n-All. Take plenty of napkins — you’ll need them.
Curry-n-All used to be located in a petrol station at the corner of Katherine Street and Grayston Drive. But my friend Louise and I showed up there and found the station boarded up. Fortunately there was a big sign notifying us of Curry-n-All’s new location in a strip mall two kilometers away.
Bunny chows are bit pricier here than at comparable joints in Durban — this is Sandton, after all. But R45 ($4.50) for a mound of perfectly spiced curry, crusty white bread, and a side of carrot and chilli salad is still a great deal. A serving of chicken curry with rice and dhal is also R45. Portions are huge.
I devoured my bunny — by hand — in less than ten minutes. I’m more adept now than I was four years ago.
I’ll be back soon for more.
Curry-n-All is at the corner of Rivonia Road and South Road, behind the Shell garage. It’s extremely busy at lunch, especially on Fridays. Get there early to avoid the rush. There are a few plastic tables outside but the restaurant is currently expanding and will soon have indoor seating.
Oh my word. Take me with next time so we can get more pictures of you eating the bunny. So hilarious!
It’s not as funny as it used to be, now that I actually know how to do it.
Do you know if they have a veg bunny ? I have tried a few here in Joburg and haven’t found anything great yet, hope to try this one.
Yep, they sure do. I almost ordered the veg one — usually my favorite — but the owner recommended the mutton so I went with that.
Great thanks so much, looking forward to trying it.
So going there!!!!! Yum. Yum. Xxx
Yes, you must. So good.
Sounds delish! Your post got my salivary juices flowing. Thanks (I think). 🙂
Haha. That sounds like a good thing to me.
Thanks for this post and heads up:) My husband loves bunny chows and we’ll definitely be keen to check this place out. Would you happen to know if the bunnies there are halaal? Again my thanks.
Hmm, I actually forgot to check that but my guess would be yes…They definitely do have vegetarian options at least.
I need to still find a proper bunny chow place here in PE
Hmm…There must be one somewhere, right? Is there a big Indian community somewhere?
Wonderful and so interesting ypur blog! Congrats!!!!!!!!!
Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Avoid like the plague. Had food poisoning from this place. The aunty is rude and if you compare to other places their quarter bunny is overpriced at R50 and it’s it’s not a quarter at all.
Much smaller and the bread isn’t hollowed on
Hygiene is not a concern here. Just oily dirty heart attack food as we call it.. If you want a good curry and with fresh ingredients rather try elsewhere
hey where in pretoria can I find good bunny chows
Hey there, I’m really not sure. I don’t know enough about Pretoria unfortunately.
Guys, Try Rjanas in Braamfontein 87 De Korte Street. The best bunnies and samosas you will ever eat.
Don’t they also have a branch downtown on Commissioner Street? I had a roti there recently and it was great.