WATCH: IShowSpeed’s mouth-watering reactions to South African food break the internet

Streamer IShowSpeed, born Darren Jason Watkins Jr, has sparked widespread online conversation after sharing his reactions to South African food during his recent visit to Cape Town.

In a series of viral clips, the American YouTuber appears genuinely surprised by the flavours he experienced, repeatedly expressing excitement as he sampled local meals on camera.

One of the standout moments from his visit involved a visit to a South African KFC. While the fast food chain is familiar to him, his reaction suggested that the local version exceeded his expectations.

After taking several bites of the fried chicken, he paused, nodded and openly praised the taste.

He noted the seasoning and crunch, comparing it to what he was used to back home and admitting that he did not expect such a difference.

His visible shock and approval quickly resonated with viewers, many of whom echoed his sentiments in the comments. 

IShowSpeed was also filmed enjoying a home-cooked meal while in Cape Town. In the video, he is seen going back for more, clearly impressed by the food and unable to hide his enthusiasm.

Although details about who prepared the meal have not been widely shared, he embraced the experience of eating in a private setting. The moment added to the growing perception that his reactions were unfiltered and sincere.  

The streamer was in South Africa as part of his "Speed Does Africa" tour, a 28-day streaming journey across several African countries.

The tour focused on content creation, cultural exchange and meeting fans across the continent. South Africa, particularly Cape Town, featured prominently in his streams.

During his stay, IShowSpeed rang in the New Year with a live broadcast from Cape Town. He explored the city’s nightlife, tried a variety of local foods and was seen wearing a Springboks rugby jersey.

He also met the mayor of Cape Town and spent time interacting with fans who followed his movements throughout the city.

One of the most talked-about moments from his trip was a shark cage diving experience near Gansbaai. The stream went viral after he reacted loudly to the sharks, adding another memorable clip to his visit.

Before leaving, he shared a message that gained traction online.

“Ignore the stereotypes about South Africa. The experience was incredible, the citizens were respectful, welcoming and showed so much love throughout the streams,” he wrote.