Corso di cucina malese/creola e shopping locale a Salt River

Dennis and Shihaam were amazing guides who made this cooking class such a memorable experience. They were knowledgeable, friendly, and passionate throughout the tour. Even after living in Cape Town for 14 years, I learned so much about the city through this experience. Based in Woodstock, we enjoyed great coffee, rooibos tea, and made a delicious vegetarian curry. I highly recommend Unexplored Cape Town to both locals and visitors looking for an authentic experience.

I've lived in this country for over 15 years, but the team always makes me discover a new gem in Cape Town (and even beyond – shout out to Ishavara in Johannesburg!). I had enjoyed Malay dishes before, but had never been involved in the cooking process. The ladies made us feel like family; the house felt like home and was so peaceful. I enjoyed the art, the colors, and the stories. They even shared fascinating stories and nuances about the very spices we were using to cook. I recommend not only this experience but all of Unexplored Tours. It has a unique twist that gives you a different perspective with each visit. I will definitely do it again next time I am in Cape Town. — Vanessa

Loved this experience! Great way to see some local culture and learn to cook some devine cuisine. My guide(s) were as lovely as they were great teachers; as well as gracious and thoughtful in every detail. Very highly recommend!

This is an exciting and informative experience. You are with people who have deep understanding having lived in the neighbourhoods we walked. It great to see life through their eyes as well as visit a host of shops all operated by small businesses. A great highlight is learning how to cook and then also sitting down and enjoying delicious food. Great company and thoroughly recommended. I can't believe how I as a South African took so long to get here.

I so enjoyed my afternoon with Shihaam and Zeinab. We started the tour with a visit to the meat market and spice shop, with co-host Tawanda showing off local murals along the route. Starts and cool drinks were ready when we got to the house, and after a short rest, the cooking began! The house smelled so delicious with different spices blooming, roti raising on the griddle, and chicken sizzling in the pan. The spice level was perfect -- I ate the chicken curry until I couldn't take another bite. Then came dessert and Shihaam's special tea. We discussed the medicinal characteristics of food, traded stories about our families, talked about local birds, and laughed at each others' jokes. A perfect day!

I had SOOOOO much fun !! The hosts were lovely. I felt at home and at the same time I learnt a lot about Capetown cuisine, spices and history ! I highly recommend 👌

This cooking class was a wonderful way to connect with local people and the other participants and to enjoy food and stories together. Our hosts Shihaam and Janop were so welcoming and informative, sharing their cooking knowledge and some life stories. After the initial shopping trip to local stores, we arrived at the home where we enjoyed delicious starters before we moved to the kitchen. Shihaam firstly described the uses and properties of the most commonly used spices. She showed us the preparation of a versatile Cape Malay chicken curry recipe and an aubergine dish. Janop helped us to roll and cook roti. The atmosphere was relaxed and we were encouraged to participate, if we wanted, and to ask questions. We sat down to enjoy this feast together followed by malva pudding and masala chai. It was an experience of learning, conviviality and insight into Cape Malay culture. I would thoroughly recommend you try it.

The Cape Malay/Creole cooking class has been one of my favourite memories and experiences in Cape Town so far! The experience began with our wonderful guide, Shihaam, took us on a tour of a spice shop and the oldest butcher shop in Salt River. Learning about the spices and their health properties was very informative. After shopping, we arrived at a lovely home, which was the best location for a cooking class. We were greeted with a starter consisting of a split-pea soup, samosas, chilli bites with a mebos (an aprioct sweet, sour, and spicy sauce), and Falooda (a refreshing dessert). After this, we helped Shihaam and Janop in the kitchen and made a chicken curry, eggplant, roti and it was all incredibly delicious! We ended our three course meal with a malva pudding dessert and a masala chai. While everything (and I mean everything) about the food was beyond delicious, the stories from Shihaam and Janop helped us learn more about Cape Mala/Creole culture, food, and history! I ended the cooking class with a full stomach and a full heart! It was the perfect way to spend the day and I would highly recommend this immersive experience for anyone wanting a unique cooking class experience. If you are keen to learn more about Cape Malay/Creole food and culture in Cape Town, I'd recommend doing it with Unexplored Cape Town!

This experience is much more than a cooking class. I'd go so far as to say that the cooking lesson is almost the least important part of the experience. What I loved was the integration between shopping, walking through the local area, visiting in a local home with local people and then finally the cooking and wonderful food flavours. It was a stylish, friendly and tasty day. Highly recommended.

A Wonderful Cape Malay/Creole Cooking Experience I had a fantastic time with Shihaam and Janop during the Cape Malay cooking class. The visit to the Salt River spice shop and Woodstock butchery was informative and added a great local touch. Shihaam’s spice presentation was amazing, and I’ll definitely use some of the spices and recipes she shared. We enjoyed delicious starters, a flavourful main course, and a lovely dessert in a warm and welcoming home. A truly authentic and memorable experience—highly recommended!