Vetkoek: It’s the delicacy for every day.

Vetkoek, an iconic South African delicacy, is as rich in taste as it is in history. This deep-fried dough treat has captured the hearts and taste buds of generations. Steeped in tradition and symbolism, vetkoek is a delicious representation of South African culture.

Vetkoek, which means “fat cake” in Afrikaans, has humble beginnings that trace back to the early Dutch settlers in the 17th century. These settlers, also known as the Cape Dutch, brought their culinary expertise and recipes to the southern tip of Africa, where they began to adapt their recipes to suit the local conditions and ingredients. One such adaptation was vetkoek, a versatile and filling bread that could be prepared quickly and easily.

Vetkoek has a unique taste that can be attributed to its simple yet hearty ingredients. The dough is made from flour, water, sugar, salt, and yeast, which are combined and left to rise before being deep-fried until golden brown. The result is a crispy outer layer that encases a soft, fluffy interior.

The dough used in vetkoek is similar to that of traditional Dutch oliebollen, a sweet, deep-fried doughnut-like pastry. However, the South African landscape provided the settlers with an abundance of maize, which they incorporated into their recipes. This transformed the oliebollen dough into the more savoury and satisfying vetkoek we know today.

It is a very versatile snack. Vetkoek can be enjoyed in both sweet and savoury variations, which means there is a vetkoek for everyone. Traditionally, vetkoek is served with a generous dollop of butter and apricot jam, making for a deliciously sweet and satisfying treat. For those with a savoury palate, vetkoek can be filled with minced meat, curry, or cheese, providing a hearty and comforting meal.

Fatcake City at The Square serves delicious, generously sized Vetkoek or Fat Cakes in a ton of incarnations, from exciting burger variants through to deliciously traditional variants with mince.