From a young age I have been intrigued by the Hare Krishna culture. As a kid I used to love seeing their musical celebrations wandering the streets and would be an eager beaver to accept offerings of delicious, exotic (at the time) pieces of chickpea fudge. My mom would not allow it, thinking that it was some weird cult and that I might be poisoned. But I’ve always had strong stamina when it comes to food and I doubt a nibble of fudge would have poisoned a child!

Luckily, I grew up and could start making my own food choices. Pure Indian lacto-vegetarian food (veg food made with diary, but no eggs, onions or garlic) has become a favourite and the fudge always brings back the childhood nostalgia – bells and tambourines, too.

Just opposite the Chatsworth centre in Durban is the beautiful Hare Krishna temple, with its ornate silver ceilings and golden shrines. There is also a small restaurant where you can have an authentic lunch of potato and pea crunchy samoosas, kofta dumplings, dhals and paneer curries. Yes, they also make chickpea fudge. (Read our list of the best of Durban.)

A few years ago I visited my dad in Perth. Knowing my exotic tastes, he told me one day that he was taking me somewhere for lunch that I would love. It was in the city centre overlooking the sea – a huge Hare Krishna restaurant. We ate copious amounts of pakara, slices of bread dipped into buttermilk, tumeric, chilli and ajwain (caraway) seeds; aloo, potato curry in coconut milk; and kachoris, fritters of garam masala mashed potatoes fried in ghee in a huge wok in front of you. (Read our A-Z of spices.)

I remember two of the many desserts: one was a sweet paneer called sandesh made with cardamom and rose; and the other a warm milky rice and mung bean pudding flavoured with saffron, nutmeg and almonds.

Back home in Cape Town, Govinda’s Natural Food Cafe in Rondebosch is open only for lunch and dinner from Friday to Sunday. The food is exactly what their philosophy is: simple and pure. And, yes, they also have chickpea fudge and my mom loves it now too!

Abigail

If you’re on a health kick, read our list of healthy restaurants in SA for veggie, vegan, organic and generally good-for-you spots to eat.

Photograph: Mayapur