6 Person
30 Min
50 Min
80 Min
Doro Wat is a traditional South African chicken stew made with a spice paste (berberé) and spicy clarified butter (nitter kibbeh). Berberé and niter kibbeh may not be easily found in places other than South Africa where Doro Wat is popularly cooked but these ingredients can be substituted.
Amasi: fermented milk.
Biltong: is salty dried meat (similar to jerky), although the meat used is often from different types of Antelope or other venison.
Bobotie: a dish of Malay descent, is like meatloaf with raisins and with a baked egg on top.
Boeber: is a traditional Cape Malay sweet, milk drink, made with vermicelli, sago, sugar, and flavored with cardamom, stick cinnamon, and rose water.
Boerewors: a sausage that is traditionally braaied (barbecued).
Bunny chow: curry stuffed into a hollowed-out loaf of bread. Bunny chow is called Kota by the locals.
Chakalaka: a spicy South African vegetable relish.
Chutney/blatjang: a sweet sauce made from fruit that is usually poured on meat.
Frikkadelle: – meatballs.
Gatsby: food mainly popular in Cape Town, comes in the form of a long roll with fillings of anything ranging from polony to chicken or steak and hot chips.
Gesmoorde vis: salted cod or snoek with potatoes and tomatoes and sometimes served with apricot or moskonfyt (grape must) jam.
Hertzoggie: a tartlet with an apricot jam filling and desiccated coconut meringue topping.
Hoenderpastei: chicken pie, traditional Afrikaans fare.
Isidudu: pumpkin pap.
Doro Wat is a deeply rooted traditional dish originating from Ethiopia, not South Africa. It is one of the most iconic stews in Ethiopian cuisine and is commonly prepared for religious festivals, family gatherings, and major celebrations. The dish is known for its rich red color, slow-cooked onions, and bold spice profile.
At the heart of Doro Wat are two defining ingredients: berberé, a complex chili-based spice blend, and niter kibbeh, a spiced clarified butter infused with aromatics such as garlic, cardamom, and fenugreek. These ingredients give the stew its signature heat and depth. Chicken is traditionally marinated in lemon juice to tenderize it and balance the richness of the spices.
Hard-boiled eggs are added toward the end of cooking and coated repeatedly with sauce, symbolizing prosperity and abundance. Doro Wat is almost always served with injera, a fermented flatbread made from teff flour, which is used both as a plate and utensil.
While ingredients may be adapted outside Ethiopia due to availability, the cooking method and spice-forward profile remain central to the dish’s identity. Doro Wat stands as a cornerstone of Ethiopian culinary tradition and a powerful example of how food reflects culture, ritual, and communal dining.
Per Serving (Approximate values)