"Respect For This One": Man from UK Reviews SA Fish and Chips Compared to British Version in Video

• A UK-based food creator visited an Ocean Basket restaurant and boldly declared South African seafood superior to British fish and chips
• The creator ordered the Perfect Catch platter and worked his way through hake, calamari, prawns, rice and chips while filming his reactions
• South Africans and expats living in the UK flooded the comments to share their own feelings about the beloved SA seafood chain

A UK-based food creator, @saif05mani, sat down at an Ocean Basket restaurant on 6 July 2026 and made a bold declaration: South Africa's seafood scene leaves British fish and chips in the dust.

The video, posted to Instagram, opens with a confident dig at the UK's most beloved takeaway. From there, Saif ordered the Perfect Catch platter, a spread that arrived with hake, calamari, prawns, chips, rice and the restaurant's signature rolls.

The hake drew a big reaction when it split cleanly in half, and the calamari and octopus both got a thumbs up. The chips came in for some light criticism from @saif05mani for being on the harder side, and peeling the prawns proved trickier than expected. But the overall verdict was enthusiastic. Saif called Ocean Basket his top restaurant pick and pointed to the warm staff, the interior and the general vibe as reasons he would return without hesitation. "People ask me what's my favourite restaurant. Ocean Basket comes top like 19," he said in the clip. Watch the full seafood review that got Mzansi talking below:

Read also

American tourist praises South Africa's food and friendly people after two days

SA discusses fish and chips war

South Africans, both at home and abroad, had plenty to say in the comments:

@dillyastic said:

"Coming from a man that was in the UK, you got my respect for this one."

@muhammadbro777 wrote:

"As a 🇿🇦 living in the UK, I definitely agree with you, my broer 🇿🇦"

@friendly__foodie added:

"Honestly, the best hot rolls"

@nabeelapops declared:

"South Africa wins again"

@siphokaziey shared:

"My Husband (Scottish) is obsessed with Ocean Basket 😂 @jjporter90 you aren't alone"

@ismail_isaacs1 had another suggestion:

"You need to try Akhalwayas fish and chips!!!"

@indecisive.foodie noted:

"There are some OB branches in the UK, too. As a Saffa, it comes in handy when you need them 😄"

Other Briefly News stories about food

• A South African woman living in the USA revealed her staggering grocery expenses in a TikTok video, showing off a countertop filled with beloved South African products.
• Mzansi was stunned to see a UK woman's visit to Johannesburg's Kwa Mai Mai outdoor market, where she showcased the vibrant street food culture in a viral Instagram reel.
• A Nigerian man filmed himself reacting to the sight of South African oranges for sale at a Walmart store in the United States, sparking a lively online debate about the economic perceptions of Nigeria and South Africa.

Source: Briefly News