Kenya is world-renowned for being the best destination ever for a safari. With lions, elephants, giraffes, and rhinos abound, you can rest assured you’ll never run out of things to do or see in Kenya.
However, did you know that Kenya has a ton of amazing dishes that are worthy of appreciation too? They highlight the resilience of the Kenyan people and the deep love and respect they have for the environment around them. Oh, yes, these dishes from Kenya should never be missed!
Let’s take a look at just five of the many dishes from Kenya you should add to your must-haves!
1. Nyama Choma
You didn’t think the United States was the only country that could pull off a wicked barbecue, did you? In Kenya, they’ve got something called the nyama choma that consists of grilled goat meat, though beef is also sometimes used/
The recipe for this is really simple. People start by marinating the cuts of meat in a mix of garlic, onions, ginger, spicy peppers, and lemon juice for a kick of flavor. Then, add salt and pepper before slapping them on the grill!
Nyama choma is best enjoyed with a tomato and onion salad (kachumbari) and/or maize porridge (ugali).
2. Mukimo
Mukimo is one of the healthiest dishes from Kenya around. It’s made by mashing potatoes, leafy greens, and sometimes legumes and nuts together until it forms a thick paste. It is typically served as a side dish with nyama choma and other meat-based dishes but is also eaten as a main dish in itself by people in Kenya.
Mukimo is the whole package! You get plenty of carbohydrates from the potatoes, plenty of proteins from the legumes, and vitamins and minerals from the rest of the vegetables. So, really, mukimo by itself is already a well-balanced meal that can get you through the day.
3. Mutura
Mutura is not for the faint of heart. This is stuff made for adventurous foodies!
Mutura is a sausage made of goat, cow, or lamb intestines sewn together until the sausage is nice and long. Then, it’s stuffed tight with a mixture of animal fat and blood that’s been heavily spiced. It’s got ginger, garlic, scallions, chopped chilis, cilantro, and so much more.
Now, you might have already realized that mutura isn’t the healthiest of foods. Indeed, researchers at the University of Nairobi caution against eating too much of it because it puts pressure on the heart. When cooked badly, it also plays host to many harmful bacteria.
Nonetheless, eating mutura is a guilty pleasure that many Kenyans continue to enjoy.
4. Githeri
On the other end of the spectrum, githeri is a dish you would never feel guilty about eating! This meal comprised primarily of boiled and mixed maize and beans is super filling because of the carbohydrates from the corn and protein from the beans. Since all ingredients are fresh, there are also a ton of amazing vitamins and minerals your body can benefit from. This can be made with or without meat—both are tasty either way!
And the best part is that this recipe is super affordable and accessible. It’s the definition of poor man’s food. The ingredients are easy to come by even for those living in the harshest parts of Kenya or for students needing a bite to eat. Githeri is a very trendy dish that’s available in both households and restaurants nationwide.
5. Mabuyu
Affectionately referred to as the “tree from God” or the “tree that fell from the heavens”, the Baobab tree is one of the most important trees in Kenyan culture. From the fruit to the leaves to the trunk, there are many ways the baobab tree provides comfort for the people of Kenya.
One comfort food that is particularly popular among children is mabuyu. These are baobab seeds that have been boiled, dyed red, and then coated in sugar, salt, pepper, cardamom, and vanilla. They are a fascinating mixture of sour, spicy, and sweet flavors. To eat it, you simply pop one in your mouth and suck the flavors out until it’s dry before spitting the seed out. Then, you reach for more because you just can’t get enough of it!
