Although Kenyan food doesn’t carry the fame of Nigerian, Ethiopian, and Moroccan dishes, Kenyan dishes have a claim in the best African food contest. Drawing influences from over 50 tribes and different cultures worldwide, Kenyan dishes have been perfected over the years to make staples enjoyed throughout the country.
Beyond the rich wildlife, breathtaking landscapes, and vibrant cultures, Kenya offers various flavors through its dishes.
Here are the 10 best Kenyan foods you must sample when you visit.
1. Ugali and Sukuma Wiki
Don’t leave Kenya before you try Ugali. It’s the staple Kenyan food made by adding maize flour to boiling water and stirring until it hardens with a sweet aroma. Kenyans mostly pair ugali with sukuma wiki (collard greens) for lunch or dinner. Often, eggs, beef, or goat stew are added for a more balanced meal.
2. Githeri
Githeri is probably the most well-known Kenyan food in East Africa. Githeri is a simple dish made of corn and beans. To ensure the corn and beans absorb each other’s flavors, the two are boiled until ready then fried with oil, onions, and tomatoes. Sometimes potatoes are added to the stew. Avocado is also a favorite side dish.
3. Chapati
Chapati is unleavened flatbread inspired by Indian cuisine. Chapati is more of an East African dish rather than Kenyan, you will find that it is also a main staple in Tanzania and Uganda. Unlike Naan, chapati is thicker and cooked till brown with several layers.
It is commonly served with stew such as beef or lentils. Chapati is considered an elite food for many Kenyans.
4. Pilau
One of the most delicious Kenyan foods, Pilau is Kenya’s version of rice and meat also inspired by Indian cuisine. It is a Swahili dish, common in the coastal areas of Kenya that has been adopted and loved countrywide.
Pilau is packed with a flavourful blend of spices including cumin, cardamom, and cloves. Since it is a Swahili dish, Pilau is also a main dish in Tanzania. The harmony of the flavors and spices easily makes Pilau one of the best African foods in Kenya.
5. Bhajia
Bhajias are popular street food made with thinly sliced potatoes dipped in flour batter seasoned with herbs and spices such as ginger, cumin, parsley, coriander, and chili powder. It’s cooked until brown to make a delicious crunchy snack.
It’s common in urban areas in Kenya and originates from the Swahili. This is one of the rare Kenyan foods that is taken both as a snack and a full meal.
6. Maandazi
Aside from bread, mandazi is the most common breakfast treat. This delicious pastry is made with leavened dough cut into triangular shapes and deep-fried until brown. It pairs deliciously with milk tea or coffee. Mandazi ranks pretty high in the list of the most popular Kenyan foods.
7. Matoke
Matoke refers to unripened bananas before and after cooking. Kenyans have it either as a stew with onions and tomatoes or boiled for breakfast with tea. Matoke is quite filling, nutritious, and easy to cook. You will find that although this is a Kenyan dish, it is more popular in Uganda and serves as their staple even more than in Kenya.
8. Mukimo
Besides rice and ugali, mukimo is a beloved starch in Kenya. Originating from the Agikuyu community in Kenya, this dish is made with mashed potatoes, corn, and greens. It is a great side for stews and grilled meat. It is one of the lesser-known Kenyan foods which you most try. The dish packs fiber, starch, vitamins, and others making it richly nutritious and great for digestion.
9. Nyama Choma
Kenyans will swear this is the Kenyan national dish. Nyama choma is Swahili for grilled meat, a Kenyan dish associated with celebrations and holidays. The preferred meat is mainly goat though beef also acts as a substitute.
It’s served with a side of ugali, mukimo, roast potatoes, and kachumbari (a mix of raw tomatoes, onions, and pepper). Nyama choma is best enjoyed by large groups of people whether it’s families celebrating holidays or groups of friends on a trip. It is the designated Kenyan food for celebrations.
10. Mutura
One of the most popular street foods in Kenya and a must-have. Mutura is the intestines of either goat, lamb, or cow stuffed with fatty meat, animal blood, onions, herbs, and spices. It’s an acquired taste but you are bound to enjoy it if you give it a try.
Is there a Kenyan dish that is similar to your local cuisine?