The kota concept started as a hollowed-out quarter loaf of bread filled with beef mince and mashed potatoes in the South African townships.

It then evolved to being filled with fried potato "slap" chips instead of mash and other ingredients such as sausage, egg, beef patty, cheese, polony and atchar replaced the mince as it started being sold at tuckshops in townships.

Spaza shops that sell this popular street food normally set minimum prices at R15 ranging to over R120 depending on the size and ingredients.

Consumers are largely students and low income individuals, because it is the cheapest alternative to hamburgers.

Kota is considered a staple township food in South Africa and is often consumed with a soft drink, usually a cola.