German-South African model and TikTok influencer Nara Smith has once again gone viral, this time for preparing a classic South African meal—pap, spinach, and gravy. While some viewers praised her cooking, others were quick to question her approach, especially the absence of meat.
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Nara’s nod to South African cuisine
In her latest TikTok video, Smith shares her take on pap and spinach, a dish she recalls her mother making frequently when she was growing up. The video, which has already amassed over 2.4 million views, follows her signature aesthetic—slow, detailed food preparation from scratch.
“Growing up, my mom would make one South African dish over and over again,” Smith explains in the clip.
@naraazizasmith haven’t made this since I moved out🥹 #easyrecipe #homecooking #fypシ #momtok #southafricanfood ♬ Autumn Leaves – Timothy Cole
This isn’t the first time Smith has trended for her homemade meals. The 23-year-old content creator, who is married to fashion model Lucky Blue Smith, gained online fame for sharing videos of her cooking everything from scratch for her family. Even just weeks after giving birth to her third child, she wowed followers by making a homemade candy bar.
Social media reacts: praise, criticism, and the inevitable Tyla comparison
While many South Africans applauded Smith’s effort, others couldn’t help but compare her video to Tyla’s recent attempt at making the same meal for Vogue, with one TikTok user commenting, “tyla made pap now everyone’s making pap.”
Some users also debated whether pap should always include meat, while her technique amused others.
“Meatless pap and relish feels like a crime,” one user commented; with another exclaiming, “it’s missing wors.”
A new wave of cultural appreciation?
Despite the mixed reactions, Smith’s video is part of a growing trend of global influencers embracing South African food and culture. Whether she’s earning back favour with South African audiences or simply sharing a piece of her heritage, one thing is clear—her content continues to spark conversation.
Would you try Nara Smith’s version of pap and spinach, or do you think she missed the mark?
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Featured Image: Instagram & TikTok | naraaziza
