Dombolo, (also known as umbhako, [1] ujeqe, dipapata in Setswana and rostile in Xhosa), is a traditional South African steamed bread. [2] It is a popular staple food in many homes within South Africa. [2] The bread is prepared in a container in a pot of boiling water. [2] It differs from the traditional dumpling in that it is prepared using yeast instead of baking powder. [3] There are different variations of the dish around South Africa. In the Zulu culture, dombolo is cooked on top of a stew rather than on its own in a separate pot. That variation of the steamed bread is known amongst the Zulus as uJeqe. [4] Dombolo is often consumed with different kinds of side dishes such as chicken stew, beef stew, oxtail stew, lamb stew, or tripe. [5]
Dombolo can be made by using cake flour and placed on top of a stew to soak in the stew's flavours.[ citation needed ]
It is related to Dutch Jan-in-de-zak or broeder. [2] [6]