9 Local foods in Kenya you need to try

Written by: Humphrey N. Ndara, Local Expert

With mouth-watering flavors, nose-tingling spices, and cuisine combinations that simply satisfy, there are plenty of must-try local foods in Kenya. Steeped in tradition, culturally important dishes have been passed down from generation to generation and are topped with incredible flavors. From the popular maize meal and rice dishes to meaty delights that burst with rich flavors and tasty desserts that complement it all, here are 9 local foods in Kenya you need to try.

Ugali

A staple in any Kenyan home, this starchy maize-meal dish is either white or yellow and will find a place in the center of any table. Guests will grab a small amount by hand, roll it into a small ball, and use it to dip into stews or scoop up a hearty soup. Said to have a similar taste to popcorn or polenta, this doughy substance will appear on any menu, anywhere in the country.

Nyama Choma

Translated to ‘barbequed meat’, you are invited to nibble on tender goat meat, the key meat of choice for this unofficial national dish. Otherwise prepared with beef, chicken, and even fish. The meat is slow-cooked, suspended above a bed of hot coals until the meat falls off the bone. From street food stalls to fine dining restaurants, this will appear on the menu, accompanied by a chapati (roti) or rice.

Sukuma Wiki

Leafy greens blended with garlic, onions, and a healthy dose of tomatoes is a wonderful dish packed with goodness and immense flavor. Spices such as turmeric, paprika, and cayenne pepper add to the flavors, all perfectly served with a side of ‘nyama’ or meat of choice and the must-have serving of Ugali of course.

Kuka Paka

This delicious curry is a favorite along the Kenyan coastline with flavors out of India, Arabian blends, and African influences all mixed with creamy coconut milk, ginger, garlic, and an array of spicy spices. ‘Kuku’ in Swahili means ‘chicken’, so the meat tossed in the mix is chicken. Served on a bed of rice, this dish is simply mouth-watering.

Matoke

A stew with a difference! This stew is made by cooking bananas by tossing them in a pan with garlic, onion, tomatoes, and a mix of other essential spices. Simmered until thick and saucy, matoke is popular both in homes and in restaurants and makes a dish that when added with roast beef, chicken, or goat, serves up a truly flavorsome dish.

Githeri

Dive into a dish of comfort food, this stew is a vegetarian one-pot or ‘sufuria’ pot meal that comprises red kidney beans and maize, boiled together and spiced with curry powder and chili. Eating the dish with a side of chapati makes it an excellent appetizer, or with rice, a hearty meal.

Irio

Similar to an American mashed potato dish with a hue of green! This popular dish is simple to make and delicious, the potatoes are semi-smashed after being boiled, and green peas and corn are gently mixed with a dash of butter and topped with refreshing watercress. This dish is often eaten on its own or served with a meat of choice.

Mandazi

A Kenyan favorite, this sweet must-try resembles a doughnut that has been introduced to coconut and cardamom – and for that added touch of something different, formed into a triangular shape. One may not be enough, so tuck in and if the mood takes you, you may try dipping it into one of the curries on the menu too, it tastes just as delicious as on its own.

Sweet Potato Coconut Pudding

A sweet treat, this dessert comprises sweet potato, grated coconut, and coconut milk added with a pinch of cinnamon, salt, sugar, and all-purpose flour, mixed to create a delicious baked dessert that compliments any Kenyan main meal. The combination of flavors is unique and worth a bowl.

With an array of delectable cuisine to choose from on menus in restaurants, local cafes, and street food stalls, you may be spoiled for choice. Your Natural World Kenya Safari destination specialist can share their favorite dish with you, advise you how to pronounce it, where and how to order it, and most likely encourage you to try it all!