Kenya is world-famous for its vast landscapes, vibrant culture and epic game drives. But what about the food? With strong influences from India and the Middle East, Kenyan food is a unique blend of ethnicities, cultures and traditions.
Most locals in Kenya are avid carnivores, with the meals centerpiece traditionally being a hefty chunk of meat. The Kenyan cuisine is hearty, rich, heavy and filling – trust us when we say that you will never leave a meal hungry!
The unofficial national dish of Kenya is Nyama Choma. However, it is so quintessentially Kenyan that you cannot visit Kenya and not try it – unless of course, you are a vegetarian. Nyama Choma is essentially barbequed meat, usually served with a spicy tomato sauce and ugali. The most common meat used is goat, but you can also find chicken and beef.
Kenyans eat with their hands – but only the right one! Always keep your left off the table at all times.
While Kenya isn’t the ideal location for vegetarians, if you do a little research you shouldn’t have too much trouble. Happycow.net is a great resource for seeking out veggie-friendly restaurants. Most local restaurants serve a variety of vegetarian sides and salads, however, whilst you may find meals which contain no meat, they are usually not prepared in a different area of the kitchen and often use the same stock with meat dishes. Some of our favourite vegetarian foods in Kenya are matoke, biryani, pilau rice, irio, mukimo, githeri and vegetable stew.
Chai is Kenya’s most beloved drink. A warm, milky tea, spiced with ginger and sweetened with heaps of sugar!
Freshly squeezed juice is easily found on any market stall but particularly along the coast. Lamu and passion fruit are very popular.
Dawa is a popular Kenyan cocktail made by mixing vodka, white rum, honey and lime juice, then poured over ice and served with a sugar stick.
If you like your beer, Kenyan lager generally fairs pretty well. Some of the most popular brands are – Tusker and White Cap.
K’Osewe Ranalo Foods
(Kimathi Street, Nairobi 00100 Kenya)
Kilimanjaro Jamia
(Kimathi Street Kenwood House, Nairobi 00600 Kenya)
D’s Place
(Kimathi Street Kenwood House, Nairobi 00600 Kenya)
Tamambo Karen Blixen
(Karen Road, Nairobi 00200 Kenya)
Habesha
(Argwings Kodhek Road near Elgeyo Mrakwet junction, Nairobi Kenya)
About Thyme
(Eldama Ravine Rd, Nairobi, Kenya)
The Lord Erroll
(Argwings Kodhek Road near Elgeyo Mrakwet junction, Nairobi Kenya)
INTI – A Nikkei Experience
(20th Floor, One Africa Place, Nairobi 00100 Kenya)
A semisweet pastry usually served for breakfast alongside a cup of warming chai. It resembles a samosa in looks but tastes more like a semi-sweet, fried doughnut. This traditional Kenyan breakfast will be served almost everywhere, so keep your eyes peeled!
A delicious side that is served with almost every meal you order. It’s essentially braised or stewed spinach and collard greens cooked with onions, tomatoes, stock, capsicum and a variety of other spices.
Ugali is a common side dish to any meal. Made by boiling grains unti it resembles thick porridge, then left to cool and served in slabs. It’s stodgy, heavy and very satisfying after a long day out in the wild.
Fresh fruit is abundant in Kenya so it would be a shame not to indulge after all of those heavy meals. You can find mangoes, pineapples, pawpaws, passion fruit, bananas, custard apples and guavas.
Tilapia is the most common fish in Kenya, especially in the central regions where it’s found in freshwater lakes. It is traditionally fried or grilled whole and served with the Kenya staples – ugali and sukuma wiki. Delicious!
Wa Kupaka, meaning “with a rich coconut curry stew”, is essentially a delicious coconut fish curry. Common fish used are udavi (shrimp) and kamba (prawns). You can also find them made with chicken.
Originally from India but beloved by almost every Kenyan, Pilau is a common site to see. It usually consists of full-flavoured and well-spiced rice, cooked in meat stock with chunks of chicken or fish. Delicious.
Mukimo is some of the most popular food in Kenya. This traditional dish is made by combining peas, potatoes, onions and corn and mashed together to create a big ball of stodge. It’s often served at major events and parties.
Matoke is a delicious dish and a favourite amongst locals and tourists alike. Essentially, Matoke is a plantain and banana curry. The plantain is cooked, mashed and then served with a sloppy, flavoursome sauce.
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