Kenya

A scene with the Nairobi city.

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Discover the African Warming and Hearty Soul of Kenyan Cuisine!

Kenya, an East African country renowned for safaris, is home to majestic wildlife, the Great Rift Valley, and a diverse mosaic of ethnic groups. From the bustling streets of Nairobi to the white sands of the Indian Ocean coast, Kenya is a land full of contrasts and cultural depth. The port of Mombasa has a strong influence on the coastal culture, which is shaped by Arab and Indian trade routes.

Kenyan cuisine is simple yet substantial, reflecting its agricultural foundations. The cornerstone of almost every meal is ugali, a thick porridge made from cornmeal. It is traditionally served as a side dish to meat or vegetables. The national dish is nyama choma (literally “grilled meat”), often goat or beef, which is prepared over an open fire and eaten by hand. Vegetable side dishes include the popular sukuma wiki (cooked green leaves, similar to collard greens or spinach). The Indian influence is clear in dishes like pilau (spiced rice) and various curries. Kenyan cuisine is synonymous with community and shared eating.

Githeri, a thick corn and brown bean stew in a reddish-brown-orange sauce, served in a bowl.

Main Course

Kenya

Githeri (Kenyan Corn and Bean Stew)

 Green Irio mash with visible pea kernels, served on a plate.

Side Dishes

Kenya

Irio (Kenyan Potato and Pea Mash)

 Grilled Kuku Choma chicken with crispy skin and lemon glaze, served on a plate.

Main Course

Kenya

Kuku Choma (Kenyan Grilled Chicken)

 Light brown, puffy triangular Mandazi doughnuts, dusted with icing sugar.

Desserts

Kenya

Mandazi (Kenyan Coconut Doughnuts)

 Deep green Mukimo mash with corn kernels, served on a plate.

Side Dishes

Kenya

Mukimo (Kenyan Potato, Corn, and Greens Mash)

 Thick Kenyan Ndengu mung bean curry in a creamy yellow-orange sauce, served in a bowl.

Side Dishes

Kenya

Ndengu (Kenyan Mung Bean Curry)

 Slices of grilled dark Nyama Choma meat with charred edges, served with onion slices and lemon.

Main Course

Kenya

Nyama Choma (Kenyan Grilled Meat)

 Brown Kenyan Pilau rice with beef pieces and onion, served in a bowl.

Main Course

Kenya

Pilau (Kenyan Aromatic Rice with Meat)

 Triangular, deep-fried Kenyan Samosas, served on a plate.

Appetizers

Kenya

Samosa (Kenyan Spicy Meat Pastries)

 Deep green Sukuma Wiki, braised collard greens with tomato pieces, on a plate next to Ugali.

Side Dishes

Kenya

Sukuma Wiki (Kenyan Braised Collard Greens with Tomatoes)

 White, stiff cornmeal porridge Ugali, shaped into a ball, on a serving plate.

Side Dishes

Kenya

Ugali (Kenyan Cornmeal Porridge)