Nama Tlhogo (Sheep's Head): A First-Timer's Guide to Smiley

Nama tlhogo is the dish that separates the curious from the committed. Sheep's head, nicknamed "smiley" in many townships because of the way the lips pull back when it's cooked, is a true South African delicacy. If you've been wondering whether to try it, this guide is for you.

What is nama tlhogo?

Nama means meat and tlhogo means head in Setswana and related languages, so nama tlhogo is simply "head meat". At Phala's it is sheep's head, slow-cooked until the meat is tender and full of flavour. You can choose to have it boiled or grilled.

Why the head is prized

The head is one of the most flavourful parts of the animal. The cheeks are made of hard-working muscle that becomes rich and tender when cooked slowly, and there is fat and gelatine that keeps everything moist. In many Southern African cultures, the head of a slaughtered animal was traditionally reserved for the men or the elders at a family occasion, which is part of why it still feels like a special-occasion food today.

How sheep's head is prepared

1. Singeing and cleaning. The wool is burned off over an open flame, and the skin is scraped and washed thoroughly. This is hard, careful work and the reason many people prefer to buy it ready-cooked.
2. Cooking. For a boiled head, it is simmered for hours with salt and spices until the meat comes away easily. For a grilled head, it is cooked over heat so the skin becomes crispy and smoky.

Boiled or grilled?

• Boiled is softer and juicier, with a gentle, meaty flavour. A good choice for first-timers.
• Grilled has crispy, smoky skin and a stronger flavour. Fans of braai meat usually love it.

What to eat first

• The cheeks: the meatiest, most tender part.
• The tongue: soft and rich, similar to beestong but smaller.
• The skin: especially good when grilled.
• The adventurous parts: the eyes and brain are considered delicacies by many, but no one will judge you for skipping them.

Tips for your first smiley

• Share it. A sheep's head is fun to eat with a friend who has done it before.
• Eat with your hands and keep pap on the side to balance the richness.
• Start boiled, then try grilled next time.

Order nama tlhogo at Phala's

We serve nama tlhogo, boiled or grilled, at 6233 Block S, Mabopane, and deliver around Mabopane and Soshanguve. See the full menu for our other traditional dishes.