Kenyan cuisine has many aspects, and if you have not been to East Africa before, you will want to get an overview of what to expect from the food there. We can all agree that any trip should incorporate some food tour or food exploration because that is where the adventure and the culture lie.
If you have a ‘Destination Expert’ on hand, be sure to ask them for some local food tips and perhaps ask what their favorite dish is so that you, too, can try it out along your journey. In the meantime, we are here to give you an overview of what to expect from Kenyan cuisine and the best dishes we recommend you try out during your adventure.
Here are the ten best dishes in Kenya you must try.
Local Cuisine
During your trip to Kenya, you will have to eat, unless you are some kind of superhuman, but let’s face it, who doesn’t love to lap up the luxury of trying new foods when abroad? Food is a meaningful way to keep up your energy (and believe us, you will need power for a jam-packed Kenyan adventure), but it is an incredible way of learning more about a country’s culture – and who doesn’t love that.
The local cuisine of Kenya generally consists of maize, meat, and vegetables, but you will find an array of other options, some of which you will see listed below. Ugali is the main staple of Kenyan cuisine, just as it is in Tanzania and Malawi, and we will go into more detail further along. There is no doubt that you will have the opportunity to try many of these dishes and drinks, whether you are on one of our eco-friendly group tours, or laying low on one of the fantastic beaches, so keep an eye out for these inspiring meals.
Prepare to be inspired by these ten best dishes in Kenya that you need to try.
The 10 Best Dishes
1: Ugali:
This is a food that looks similar to a mashed potato but tastes nothing like it. You will see ugali, a cornmeal staple, almost everywhere in Kenya, and it is generally accompanied by vegetables, some meat, and sauce. It is hard, dense, and heavier than it looks, and it is very filling, which is why it is a prevalent ingredient. Use the Ugali as a utensil to pick up the other ingredients.
2: Irio:
This hearty Kenyan food is famous in Kenyan cuisine and consists of green peas mixed with mashed potato and is usually served with nyama choma (roasted meat) or a meat stew.
3: Kenyan Pilau:
Another dish you need to try is Kenyan Pilau, which is, of course, a rice dish consisting of pilau rice, fragranced and spiced with cloves, cumin, cardamom, and cinnamon, and is a perfect accompaniment to any of the Kenyan meat dishes, but vegetarians can eat this with fresh vegetables or salad too.
4: Sukuma Wiki (Kale):
One of the most popular dishes in Kenya is this kale/collard greens dish, which is healthy, full of nutrients, and perfect if you don’t eat meat. It is generally cooked with a stock cube and some added tomatoes and onions, which give it extra flavor. You can have this as a side dish or as a meal, and it can be found everywhere.
5: Nyama Choma (Roasted Meat):
This is the country’s pride and can be found on every menu and in many households. However, if you are a vegetarian, this is one to opt out of. Featuring roasted goat, beef, and sometimes chicken, Nyama Choma – Swahili for barbequed meat is one of the best meals you can have in the country. It can be found everywhere, from roadside vendors to boutique restaurants, and provides a hearty, flavorful, and satisfying experience. This is one not to miss out on for sure!
6: Kenyan Stew:
Traditionally, the Kenyan stew was made with beef, so if you plan to try this, make sure you get the beef version cooked with oil, curry powder, tomato, onions, coriander, and garlic. This is a perfect accompaniment to either Ugali or chapati, which offer balance with their scrumptious starchiness.
7: Matoke (Plantain Stew):
Vegetarians can rest assured that they won’t go hungry, especially with this dish. Plantain Stew, also known as Matoke in Kenya, is precisely what it says on the tin – a plantain stew. This delicious and wholesome stew is ideal as a side dish or as a main meal and includes flavors of lemon juice, chilis, coriander, tomatoes, oil, and salt & pepper, which make it incredibly yummy.
8: Chips Mayai:
Famous in Tanzania and Kenya, chips mayai is one of those dishes you need to try, but you cannot expect it to be one of the healthiest dishes in Kenya. It is an omelet with chips, or put more elegantly. It features French fries shallow fried with eggs, making a wonderful lunch or small dinner option.
9: Chapati:
Kenyan chapati is just as common as Ugali and is similar to the Indian version, usually served with meat stews, plantain stews, soups, and roasted meats. It was introduced into Kenya at the end of the 19th Century when Indian workers of the Kenya-Uganda railway brought the recipe. Nowadays, it is so common that it is seen as a traditional Kenyan dish, and it can be found everywhere you look.
10: Manzazi (Kenyan Doughnut):
With all the savory foods taken care of, let’s move on to the one that will capture the attention of all the sweet tooths out there – the mandazi or the Kenyan doughnut. This fried dough recipe originated on the Swahili coast, so that it can be found all over Kenya and Tanzania, both in restaurants and at street vendors.
The word mandazi means fried dough in Swahili, and the recipe consists of water, sugar, flour, yeast, and milk, with the hint of cardamon which gives homage to the long-standing Middle Eastern influences.
Drinks to try
Mnazi:
A milk-colored, naturally fermented palm wine that is a popular beverage to try.
Tusker:
The local beer in Kenya is named after the elephant and is available countrywide.
Kenyan tea:
This strong tea is famous in Kenya, with it becoming a staple in all households, and is best served with milk and alongside a sweet biscuit.
Kenyan coffee:
Coffee is one of the essential products for the country’s economy, and they produce some exceptional blends to try out. The soil in the highlands of Kenya is just perfect for growing coffee and is known for its intense flavor, full-body, and delicious aroma resembling cocoa. High-grade Kenyan coffee is one of the most sought-after coffees on the planet, and if you are traveling to Kenya, you most certainly need to try a cup or two.
