Where to find biltong, rusks & South African shops abroad

Every Saffa abroad knows the moment. It's a grey Tuesday, you're a few months in, and suddenly you would trade your left arm for a packet of proper biltong, a rusk to dunk in your coffee, or a coil of boerewors for the weekend. The good news: South African food is out there in most places our mense have settled. You just have to know how to look.

This guide is for anyone typing “south african shop near me” or “biltong near me”into their phone at 10pm. It works whether you're in Perth, Auckland, London, Toronto or somewhere with far fewer Saffas.

Why SA food is hard to find abroad

South African food abroad lives in three places: small SA-owned shops (often run by one family), local butchers and biltong makers who sell from a stall, a market or a website, and the “international” shelf at a big supermarket. The first two rarely show up well on maps because they're small, they move, or they sell mostly through word of mouth and social media.

That's why the best leads usually come from other South Africans rather than a search engine. The trick is to combine both: search smart, then ask your mense.

What to search for (and where)

Generic searches like “south african food” bring up recipe blogs. Be specific about the product and the place. Try these on Google Maps, your local marketplace apps and social media:

When you find a lead on a map, check the reviews and the latest photos. Small shops change hands and opening hours more often than big chains, so a quick call or message before a long drive saves disappointment.

Local biltong and boerewors makers

In many cities, the best biltong isn't in a shop at all. It's made by a small Saffa-run business that sells online, at markets or through a Facebook page. The same goes for boerewors — a lot of it is made by butchers who took the recipe on board because enough South Africans kept asking.

What to ask a new biltong or wors supplier

• Is it wet, medium or dry? Everyone has a preference, and good makers will cut it to order.
• What cut do you use? Silverside and topside are common for biltong; ask what they recommend.
• Do you deliver, or is it pickup only? Many small makers do weekly delivery runs by suburb.
• How long does it keep? Store it the way the maker tells you — fridge, freezer or paper bag.
• For wors: what's the spice and the meat mix? Traditional boerewors has a distinct coriander flavour — ask if theirs does.

Supermarket aisles worth checking

Before you drive across town, check the big supermarkets closest to you. Many carry at least a few South African staples, usually in the “international foods” aisle, sometimes next to British or Dutch products. What turns up varies hugely by country, store and suburb — shops tend to stock more SA products where more Saffas live.

Things South Africans commonly hunt for (and sometimes find on regular shelves):

• Rusks, and the ingredients to bake your own (buttermilk and self-raising flour are easy to find almost anywhere).
• Chutney, peri-peri sauces and braai spices.
• Maize meal for pap — sometimes sold under a different name, so check the ingredients for white maize.
• Rooibos tea — increasingly common in regular tea aisles worldwide.
• Golden syrup, custard powder and condensed milk for baking the classics.

If a store near you doesn't stock something, ask at the customer service desk. Some chains take product requests, and a few South Africans asking for the same thing can make a difference.

Ordering online and packing your luggage

Most countries with a sizeable South African community have at least one online SA shop that posts nationally. Search “south african food online [country]” and compare delivery costs — shipping can add up fast, so a group order with friends is often worth it.

Using Oorsee's Homesick finder

We built Homesickinto the Oorsee app for exactly this problem. It's a shop finder for South African food and groceries near you — biltong, boerewors, rusks and the rest — so you can see what's close by instead of scrolling through old forum threads.

A few ways to get the most out of it:

• Check Homesick first for SA shops and food near your location.
• Browse the business directory — South African-owned businesses list themselves there, including biltong makers, bakers and caterers.
• Post in your continent group or the feed — “Anyone know good biltong near [suburb]?” gets fast answers from people who live nearby.
• Message the seller or a fellow Saffa directly to arrange a group order.

You can also ask in the South Africans Living Abroad Facebook group — somebody always knows somebody. And if you run an SA food business yourself, list it in Oorsee so homesick Saffas can find you. In Australia you can even book Oorsee to feature your business.