See The 20 Delicious Traditional Foods In Kenya That You Should Try Out

Kenya, a land of vibrant cultures and breathtaking landscapes, boasts a rich culinary heritage. The heart of East Africa, Kenya, is home to several ethnic communities, each with unique flavours and cooking techniques. Therefore, there are many flavourful traditional foods in Kenya which blend bold spices and fresh ingredients....CONTINUE READING

Kenyan food is eclectically mixed; no particular dish represents the country. Instead, each community has its native food with staples consisting of maize and other grains such as millet and sorghum paired with different vegetables and meats.

Kenya, the heart of East Africa, is known for its beautiful landscapes, wildlife safaris and delicious food. Below are the descriptions and pictures of traditional foods in Kenya that offer a mix of authenticity and ethnicity.

1. Ugali

What is the most popular traditional food? Simple yet essential, Ugali is the most popular traditional and staple food in many Kenyan households.

Ugali is made from flour (maize, sorghum, cassava) and water, cooked to a smooth, dough-like consistency. Its mild flavour makes it a versatile accompaniment to various dishes, including stews, vegetables, tender meats, etc.

2. Nyama choma

Nyama choma is one of the best examples of traditional foods in Kenya. The beloved Kenyan delicacy is loved for its simple preparation. Translating to “roasted meat” in Swahili, it’s a dish that allows people to enjoy the rich flavour of succulent meat.

Typically prepared from beef, the meat is expertly seasoned with a blend of salt, pepper, and sometimes spices and then charred over an open flame. The result is an irresistible combination of crispy, smoky exterior and tender, juicy interior. You can serve it with ugali and perhaps vegetables.

3. Fish

It is the most cherished delicacy from Kenya’s Nyanza region (Lake Victoria). The freshly caught tilapia or Nile perch are gently cooked using flavourful ingredients such as onions, tomatoes, coriander, garlic, and lemon.

In addition, fish can also be grilled or fried. You can serve fish with ugali plus vegetables like sukuma wiki, spinach or cabbage.

4. Mukimo

 

Mukimo is one of the beloved Kenyan indigenous dishes deeply rooted in people from Central Kenya. It comprises mashed potatoes, maize, green peas, and pumpkin leaves. Each ingredient is tenderly boiled, combined, and mashed, creating a textured blend. The result is a creamy dish with sweetness from the pumpkin leaves.

5. Matoke

The Matoke dish, famous among the Kisii, is purely green bananas harvested at their peak. These bananas are peeled and then simmered in a blend of tomatoes and other aromatic spices. You should serve Matoke when hot and tender with other foods such as meat.

6. Chapati

Chapati (also flatbread) is one of the most-loved foods in Kenya and can be considered a national dish. It’s made from a mixture of flour, water, and oil.

The aromatic dish undergoes a process of kneading, rolling, and cooking on a hot pan. The result is thin, crisp, flaky bread with golden layers. It is often paired with stews, vegetables, or meats.

7. Sukuma wiki

Sukuma wiki, translating to “push the week” in English, is a leafy green vegetable known for its robust flavour and high nutritional value. Sukuma wiki (collard greens) tender leaves are fried with onions, tomatoes, and a pinch of seasoning. This versatile dish is often enjoyed with staples like ugali or rice.

8. Kenyan pilau

The aromatic pilau is one of the most famous traditional foods available in Kenya. The delicacy from the coastal region primarily consists of rice, but the magic lies in a blend of spices, including cloves, cardamom, cinnamon, and cumin, which create its rich taste.

In its preparation, succulent meat, often tender beef or chicken, is fried with onions and garlic and mixed with rice.

9. Githeri

Githeri is one of Kenya’s most nutritional and easy-to-prepare traditional foods. It consists of boiled maize grains and beans, usually cooked until tender. Githeri’s mild, earthy flavour makes it a versatile meal. It can be accompanied with chapati, rice and more.

10. Chicken

From the bustling streets of Nairobi to the serene villages, chicken dishes are special in Kenyan cuisine. The tender and healthy meat is usually prepared with care. The Kenyan chicken dishes are exceptional, whether roasted with aromatic spices or simmered in a stew. You can serve it with staples like rice, chapati, or ugali.

11. Samosa

You’ll surely love the flavourful fill and crispy shell of the samosa. It is a triangular parcel of thin dough which encases a mixture of spiced potatoes, peas, and often minced meat.

It’s usually spiced with cumin, coriander, and turmeric, which infuse a burst of warmth in each bite. Samosas boast a satisfying crunch that gives way to an aromatic and flavourful interior.

12. Mandazi

Mandazi is a popular Kenyan delicacy with a fluffy interior and golden, crispy exterior. It’s made from flour dough, milk, sugar, and eggs. The dough is carefully kneaded, shaped into squares or triangles, and then fried.

It is often enjoyed with a cup of chai and is a popular breakfast or snack treat. Its inviting aroma and tender, flaky texture have made it a beloved staple in Kenyan households.

13. Chai

Chai is a cherished Kenyan beverage that warms the body. It is a fragrant blend of black tea leaves, aromatic spices, and milk brewed to a rich, amber hue. You can make it tastier using cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon.

14. Coconut rice

It’s a great delicacy that includes fluffy rice with creamy coconut milk. The rice is gently simmered, absorbing the incredible coconut flavour, resulting in a rich and aromatic base. The dish is often accented with cardamom and cinnamon, adding depth to its exotic taste. It is served alongside flavourful curries or grilled meats.

15. Mutura

Mutura is a popular Kenyan street food created from ground meat and seasoned with aromatic spices/ herbs, including onions, chilli, ginger and garlic.

The mixture is then tightly encased in a layer of intestines, creating a distinctive but sausage-like shape. It’s then grilled for a crispy outer layer and succulent interior. It’s usually served with spicy sauces and is a favourite snack for many Kenyans.

16. Bhajiya

Bhajiya are deep-fried delights made from flour, water and spices. Sliced vegetables, including potatoes, onions and spinach, are dipped in flour paste and deep-fried until their exterior is golden and crisp. It is often enjoyed with sauces or chutneys for an extra kick of flavour.

17. Beef mishkaki

Beef mishkaki is one of the cherished traditional foods in Kenya that celebrates the rich flavour of tender meat.

Meat is chopped into cubes and marinated with spices, including ginger, garlic, and paprika. They’re then skewered onto sticks and grilled over open flames. Each bite boasts a delightful crispiness that gives way to juicy meat. Beef mishkaki is a beloved street food usually served with spicy sauces and zesty lemon.

18. Shawarma

Shawarma consists of thin slices of succulent meat, often beef or chicken, marinated in spices like coriander, garlic and cumin. It’s usually cooked on a vertical rotisserie until the meat is tender. It’s traditionally served on a flatbread or warm pita and complemented by vegetables and a sauce or creamy garlic.

19. Biryani chicken

It consists of succulent chicken marinated in a blend of spices, including cinnamon, cardamom, masala, saffron, coriander, rosemary and more. The meat is mixed with long-grain rice, slowly cooked, and then garnished with crispy fried onions and fresh herbs.

20. Kenyan coffee

Kenyan coffee is not just a revered national treasure; it’s also loved worldwide. It’s grown in the fertile highlands and handpicked with care before undergoing excellent processing into a brew that captivates. It can be enjoyed as a robust espresso or a smooth pour-over.

Wrapping up

Every country boasts its unique culinary treasures, and Kenya is no exception. The traditional foods in Kenya are a true delight. Every dish on the list represents the Kenyan heritage, from the nyama choma, grilled to perfection, to the satisfying staple, ugali, made from maize flour…CONTINUE READING>>