Shaka Zulu – A South African Restaurant Review
I was recently given the opportunity to review a restaurant in Camden called Shaka Zulu. It is a South African restaurant.
Camden Market hides a plethora of rather nice restaurants and not just the fast food outlets so I had a look at Shaka Zulu’s web site before we went to see if I could get an idea of the place. It didn’t do justice to the actual restaurant. It it did look dark and interesting but the reality was far better.
As I often do I invited my friend Val to accompany me. We had just walked around the Knit and Stitch show at Olympia. It would have been a bit of a marathon getting from one to the other by underground but as it happened there was a bus stop outside of the Olympia. A quick look and we found that the number 27 bus went practically door to door and on such a beautiful sunny afternoon we enjoyed a tour of West London as well!
Once inside the restaurant we were delighted to see the authentic carving and statues (all brought from South Africa at a cost of millions of £s).
They had a very impressive and well stocked bar which was very busy with people just popping in for an evening of chat and a few drinks.
Our table was cosy and we looked at a very impressive and somewhat scary menu. Well I wasn’t brave enough to order zebra or ostrich steak!
For starter Val had the crocadile cigarillos. I tasted a bit to add to my repatoire that I had eaten it.
I picked the smoked salmon which arrived in a mysterious cloud as it was placed over a block of dry ice – very impressive!
The waitress was very helpful and described all the dishes we were not familiar with. Wanting a typical main course I decided on the Beef Bobotjie, a sort of mince with a thin egg custard layer on top served with saffron rice and a chutney. Val liked the sound of it and ordered the same!
Crisp and crunchy mange tout and red onions.
Sounds very interesting indeed! It sounds as if they went to a lot of trouble with the presentation, which is nice. I have eaten Ostrich meat – it was more like beef than a bird. I've also had Eland steak, which was just like venison, though perhaps a bit firmer. Bobotie is a favourite in our household: we have a recipe for it in an old "Food from around the World" cookbook.
It was a lovely meal, I would highly recommend this restaurant.
I have been to Shaka Zulu for my brother's birthday but never tried the food there. I have to admit I am not very brave when it comes to trying new types of meat but have eaten ostrich before in Borough Market and enjoyed it. What was the crocodile like?
The croc was a bit chewy and not really my thing! but otherwise we had a lovely meal.
I came across Babotie for the first time in Masterchef South Africa which has just finished. All sorts of dishes I'd never heard of and didn't have when I was on holiday there either. This looks delicious and well worth a visit for a trip down memory lane. Thanks GG
There were lots of things on the menu I had never had and if you are a bit adventurous you would be in your element!
What a great spread, looks divine!
Janie x
A was a real good bit of fun!
Sounds like a great place with character and full of great food 😉
Definitely lots of character. the staff were very helpful and the food tasty.
I had croc years ago when in Mauritius. Was delicious. Very envious of your night out
They certainly had an interesting range of meats on offer!
sounds like you had fun Heidi! I've had ostrich and crocodile (in Brussels!!!) and enjoyed both, but I guess a lot depends on how it is cooked
I need to get over those thoughts in my head about eating unconventional meats!!
I love all the food choices in Camden market. It's fantastic.
I am slowly discovering the food side of the market!
Worth a visit if you are ever in Camden Market!
This place looks really fun, I love the elephant – what an interior design statement!
The elephant was spectacular but there were loads more around the restaurant