01-05-2025
How Tasty Nation is feeding busy lives with real South African flavour
In a fast-paced world where time is a luxury, convenience has become the new currency, especially when it comes to food. Ready meals have surged in popularity, offering quick fixes for busy families and professionals. But often, these convenient options fall short on nutrition, quality and cultural authenticity. That's where Tasty Nation is shaking things up.
This proudly South African food brand is redefining what it means to eat well on the go, by bringing traditional home-cooked flavours into the ready-meal space without cutting corners. From mogodu and samp to pap bites and malva pudding, Tasty Nation is putting heritage back on the plate.
A TASTE OF HOME, MINUS THE HASSLE
South African cuisine tells stories ... of generations, celebration, struggle and togetherness. But preparing dishes such as tripe or slow-cooked beans takes time, skill and ingredients that aren't always easy to find. It's no surprise then that many people, especially younger South Africans, often turn to mass-produced meals, even if they lack the taste of home.
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Tasty Nation saw that gap and decided to fill it. Says CEO Kelly Lewis:
At Tasty Nation, we believe that convenience should never mean compromising on quality or cultural authenticity. Our mission is to bring the rich flavours of South African tradition to busy families, without sacrificing the taste and ingredients that make these dishes so special.
Their range of frozen heat-and-eat meals is available in selected Pick n Pay stores nationwide. The recipes are grounded in tradition and passed down through generations, but made accessible to anyone, even those who've never cooked tripe in their life before.
For lifestyle content creator Tsakani Khoza, Tasty Nation's ready meals are a lifesaver. A full-time employee with a demanding nine-to-five job, Khoza still makes time to engage with her growing TikTok audience – a blend of fans interested in fashion, home hacks and everyday inspiration. But when it comes to food, she admits, there's not always time to go all-out.
These meals feel like something my gran would've made. I love that I can just pop them in the oven or microwave, and, in a few minutes, I'm eating something that tastes like it took hours. I don't have to compromise on flavour or culture just because I'm busy.
What began as a frozen meals range has now grown into a fully fledged culinary destination. In January 2025, Tasty Nation opened its first quick-service restaurant in the heart of Sunninghill, Johannesburg. Inside, you'll find vibrant decor, upbeat music and a menu packed with South African favourites, from Gatsby sandwiches to steaming bowls of nhloko.
The restaurant also stocks the brand's frozen meal range, giving customers the chance to enjoy tradition both on site and at home. Since its launch, the eatery has drawn in loyal customers, earned a feature on eTV's The Morning Show and enjoyed coverage on radio stations across the country.
FOUNDED WITH PURPOSE
Tasty Nation is part of Hodari Foods, a company with deep roots in retail, catering and hospitality. But what makes the brand especially compelling is its mission: to ensure that every South African, no matter their schedule or skill level, can access home-style meals that honour our collective food heritage.
With plans to expand both its product range and restaurant footprint, the company remains focused on its founding values: authenticity, quality and accessibility.
In a world where culture can get lost in convenience, Tasty Nation is a delicious reminder that we don't have to choose one over the other.
