In the East of Africa lies a beautiful country with a vibrant and diverse culture – we’re talking about Kenya! When it comes to the foods of Kenya, there’s no singular dish that can be said to define the nation’s cuisine.
Different communities have their own native foods, which makes trying every kind of cuisine in Kenya all the more fun. That being said some staple foods across the country are maize and other cereals such as millet and sorghum, to name a few.
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Most Popular Kenyan Dishes
Ugali
Undoubtedly one of the most popular dishes in Kenya, Ugali also happens to be a staple dish for most people of Kenya. It is made from cornmeal which is added to warm water and heated until it slowly turns dense.
The dish looks like a thick and dense paste of cornmeal. The dish has the consistency of a heavy dough. Locals are known to consume ugali with a few cooked vegetables or a saucy stew.
Kenyan Pilau
Another very delicious dish to try out in Kenya. This is a combination of cooked rice with various spices like cloves, cumin, cardamom and cinnamon.
The rice is usually fragranced with a beautiful aroma and is a very filling dish. It is consumed with a type of meat stew along with a few slices of tomatoes and onions. The spices used in the rice is what gives it that unique taste.
Nyama Choma
Nyama Choma is Swahili for grilled beef or goat. Kenyans are formidable meat eaters and you will find them in open grills all over the country. Fish and Chicken are also popular choma options.
Nyama choma is slowly grilled over an open fire or using charcoal and is best served with ugali which we have previously listed.
Kachumbari
Kachumbari is a salad which is made of thin slices of fresh and ripe tomatoes, green and red peppers, onions, coriander and lemon juice.
Kachumbari is best served alongside nyama choma or pilau. A perfectly refreshing summer salad to cool you down.
Githeri
Githeri is a very simple yet nourishing dish which comes from the Kikuyu community in Kenya. The corn and beans which make up the dish are boiled and then fried. It can be served alongside rice or chapatis.
Mukimo
Mukimo is a dish made with mashed potatoes with added ingredients such as corn, spinach and peas that elevate both its flavour and make it very nutritious. It is best served as a side dish to any meaty stew.
Matoke
Matoke is a common household meal in Kenya and is prepared using the finest East African highland bananas. It is made by frying bananas along with onions and tomatoes and enjoyed with any sauce of your choice.
It is a dinner dish that can be eaten with a beef stew or as a wholesome meal on its own.
Omena
Omena or silver fish is also known as Silver Cyprinid. Walk in any market and you will see scores of baskets filled with omena ready for sale. Omena is rich in calcium and an essential element in forming healthy bones and teeth. It is particularly popular amongst the Luo community.
Ingoho
In western Kenya, the Lua community will cook you ingoho if they consider you to be a respected guest and visitor. Traditional preparation involves roasting a whole chicken until it is brown and then eating it. The more modern versions of ingoho are braised with onions, spices and tomatoes and then served.
Sukumawiki
A Swahili phrase which translates as “stretch the week” Sukumawiki is a very popular household meal made with Kale or Collard greens and other locally available spices. It is prepared by braising it with tomatoes and sautéed onions and finally a salt seasoning.
Mutura
Mutura is a blood sausage with a controversial reputation. It is a fire-grilled delicacy made from cow, lamb or goat intestines stuffed with a fresh blood mixture and then grilled.
Mutura closely resembles Bratwurst but is much richer in flavour. Matura is also heavily seasoned and usually only sold when it is dark as it is usually consumed as a night time snack.