The South African street-food dish of a hollowed loaf filled with curry is called bunny chow.
Bunny chow consists of a portion of bread, traditionally a quarter, half, or whole loaf, with the inside removed and replaced by curry. The bread absorbs the sauce and acts as both container and utensil. Mutton, chicken, beef, beans, and vegetables can all appear in different versions.
The dish originated in Durban and is closely connected with the city’s Indian South African community. Its exact origin story is disputed, but it became a practical takeaway meal and later a widely recognized symbol of Durban’s food culture. It is generally eaten by hand.
Despite its name, bunny chow does not ordinarily contain rabbit. The word “bunny” is commonly linked to a South African Indian term for a trader or merchant, although explanations of the name vary. The dish is different from a Gatsby, another famous South African sandwich associated with Cape Town.