The South African braai abroad: wood, meat & where to braai

You can take the Saffa out of South Africa, but you will never take the braai out of the Saffa. For many of us, it's the first thing we set up in a new home — sometimes before the beds. But keeping the braai alive abroad comes with new questions: where do you get decent wood? What do you do when the butcher has never heard of boerewors? Are you even allowed to make a fire here?

This guide answers all of that — whether you're planning a braai in Australia, a braai in the UK drizzle, or a braai in the snow in Canada.

A braai is not a barbecue (explain it gently)

Your new neighbours may call it a barbecue, a barbie or a cookout. Let them. But part of the joy of a braai abroad is sharing what makes it different:

• It's about the fire. Traditionally you cook over coals from real wood or charcoal, and making the fire is half the ritual.
• It takes its time. A braai is an afternoon, not a quick meal. The standing around the fire is the point.
• The food is specific. Boerewors, chops, sosaties, braaibroodjies, pap and sous — and often a potjie on the side.
• There's a braaimaster. One person owns the tongs. Everyone else offers advice.

Many countries have their own grilling culture, and that's a great bridge: your Aussie, Kiwi or Canadian mates will understand the idea immediately — they just haven't tasted a proper braaibroodjie yet.

Wood, charcoal and your fire

Finding good braai wood abroad is one of the most common questions Saffas ask. The species you grew up with probably don't grow where you live now, so you'll be working with local options.

If you live in an apartment or somewhere open fires aren't practical, a gas or electric grill won't give you the same smoky flavour — but the company still makes it a braai. Nobody's checking your credentials.

Finding boerewors and braai meat

Boerewors is usually the hardest part. In cities with big South African communities, you'll often find local makers, butchers who make it to order, and South African shops that stock it. Elsewhere, you may need to get creative.

• Search “boerewors near me” and “south african butcher [city]”.
• Ask a local butcher to make a batch with a boerewors spice mix — many will if you order a decent amount.
• Make your own. With a sausage stuffer, coarse-minced beef and pork, and the right spices (coriander is key), home-made wors is very doable.
• Lamb chops, sosaties and chicken are easy to find anywhere — and a marinade from home makes them taste like it.

Our guide to finding South African shops and biltong abroad has a full list of searches and questions to ask suppliers.

Where you can (and can't) braai

This is where living abroad genuinely differs from home. Rules about fires vary by country, state, council and even by season, so check before you light up.

Public parks and beaches

Many parks — particularly in Australia and New Zealand — have free or coin-operated public barbecues, usually gas or electric hotplates. They're great for a relaxed group lunch but not a wood fire. Open fires and portable charcoal braais are often restricted in public spaces, so check the signs and the council website first.

Cold-climate braaing

In the UK, Canada and northern Europe, the challenge is weather, not fire bans. Saffas there braai year-round anyway: a covered patio, a sturdy kettle braai, good gloves and a warm jacket go a long way. A potjie is perfect winter food.

Hosting a braai for new friends

A braai is the best icebreaker a South African has. Inviting neighbours, colleagues and other parents is one of the fastest ways to build a life in a new place.

Braai with your mense on Oorsee

The Oorsee app is full of braai-mad South Africans. Use it to:

• Find braais and meetups in your city through events — or host your own and invite local Saffas.
• Find boerewors and SA groceries with the Homesick shop finder and the SA business directory.
• Enter Braai of the Month — show off your coals and vote for the champion.
• Ask your group where people get their wood, wors and spices locally.

And the South Africans Living Abroad Facebook group is always good for a braai debate — gas versus wood has been going for years and will never be settled.