A pair of Portuguese women in the UK visited Nando’s, seemingly for the first time, and were left with questions about the food – but viewers were quick to point out an important detail
Lizzie McAllister Acting Assistant Editor
07:09, 13 Oct 2025
A cheeky Nando’s is always a popular lunch or dinner choice (stock image)(Image: Nigel Harris via Getty Images)
Two Portuguese women living in the UK have shared their thoughts after trying Nando’s for the first time. The budget chicken chain is one of the nation’s favourite dining spots, with nearly 400 branches across the country. Whether you’re partial to a mild lemon and herb or prefer your meal extra spicy, it’s difficult to resist the temptation of a cheeky Nando’s every now and then – even celebrities can’t resist.
Nando’s is famed for its Portuguese flame-grilled peri-peri-style chicken and sauce. However, when Milli Jo Mcloughlin and her friend Bárbara visited the restaurant, they were left puzzled.
Milli took to TikTok to share her reaction to the food, and it appeared she was underwhelmed.
“Portuguese people trying Nando’s ‘Portuguese’ food,” she captioned the video.
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In the clip, she and her friend could be seen examining their meals, evidently confused by what was on their plates.
However, viewers were quick to highlight an issue.
One person commented: “It’s South African, that’s why. It’s Portuguese style grilled chicken, but it’s not specifically Portuguese food.”
“Maybe because it’s South African?” suggested another.
Meanwhile, a third added: “Nando’s is South African.”
“It’s not Portuguese though is it,” another viewer pointed out.
“Nando’s is definitely a fusion of South African and Portuguese, honestly nothing beats the chicken in Silves Churrasqueira Valdemar,” another commenter opined.
Nando’s was created in Johannesburg, South Africa, and is a fusion of Mozambican and Portuguese influences. The Nando’s website states: “It all started in Mozambique, home of the hot sun, rich soil… and African Bird’s Eye Chillies.”
“Small but mighty, these chillies have been used for centuries in local Mozambican cooking.
“The Portuguese then added a squeeze of lemon and kick of garlic to make the first PERi-PERi sauce.
“Used on just about anything, they found it was the ultimate baste for flame-grilling spatchcocked chicken.
“And it wasn’t long before two friends in Johannesburg came to experience the taste of PERi-PERi chicken and Nando’s was born.”
