One of the best ways to experience Kenya is through its food.
From hearty stews to sizzling street snacks, Kenyan cuisine is a delicious blend of cultures, history, and bold flavors.
Here are 9 must-try dishes when you visit Kenya:

1. Ugali

The most iconic Kenyan staple!
Ugali is a thick, dough-like starch made from maize flour and water.
It’s usually served with vegetables, meat, or fish — and always eaten with your hands. Simple but filling.

2. Nyama Choma (Grilled Meat)

A true Kenyan favorite!
Nyama Choma, which means “roasted meat” in Swahili, is typically goat or beef grilled over an open flame.
Best enjoyed with kachumbari (a fresh tomato-onion salad) and a cold drink.

3. Sukuma Wiki

This leafy green vegetable (similar to kale) literally means “push the week” — because it helps families stretch their meals.
It’s often fried with onions and tomatoes, and pairs perfectly with ugali.

4. Chapati

Introduced from Indian cuisine, chapati is a soft, flaky flatbread served with stews, beans, or just eaten plain.
Kenyans love it — especially on weekends and special occasions.

5. Githeri

A traditional Kikuyu dish made with boiled maize and beans.
Githeri is nutritious, budget-friendly, and surprisingly tasty, especially when spiced up with onions, tomatoes, and avocado.

6. Mutura (Kenyan Sausage)

A street food delicacy!
Mutura is a sausage made with spiced meat (often mixed with blood) stuffed in goat intestines and grilled.
It’s smoky, spicy, and usually served with salt and chili on the side.

7. Matoke

Popular in western Kenya, matoke is made from stewed green bananas cooked with onions, tomatoes, and sometimes meat or peanut sauce.
Creamy and satisfying!

8. Samosas

Another Indian-influenced snack that Kenyans have made their own.
Samosas are crispy pastry triangles filled with spiced beef, chicken, or veggies — perfect for breakfast, lunch, or a roadside bite.

9. Mandazi

Kenya’s answer to donuts!
Mandazi are slightly sweet, fried dough snacks often served with tea (chai).
Soft inside, golden outside, and totally addictive.

Bonus: Kenyan Chai ☕

No meal is complete without Kenyan tea — strong black tea brewed with milk and sugar, sometimes with hints of cardamom or ginger.
It’s more than a drink — it’s a daily ritual.

Kenyan food is as rich and diverse as the country itself.
Whether you’re dining at a local’s home, exploring street food in Nairobi, or trying traditional dishes in the countryside — your taste buds are in for a treat!