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    Home » African dishes

    20 plus Top Kenyan Food Recipes

    Dated: August 17, 2022 . Modified: Aug 17, 2022 by Kate Hahnel

    Take a culinary journey to the East of Africa with these mouthwatering 20-plus top Kenyan Food recipes!! Combining ethnic, Arabic, and Asian flavors, these traditional recipes are comforting, flavourful, and you will absolutely love each of them!

    A collage of Kenyan food recipes.

    Anyone who has tried food from Kenya will tell you that it is incredibly delicious, nutritious, and healthy. There is so much that this Swahili-speaking country has to offer but because I wanted to keep it short and sweet, I selected these top 25 dishes for you to start with!

    What is a typical Kenyan meal?

    A typical Kenyan day comprises three meals; that is breakfast, lunch, and supper (dinner). Compared to lunch and dinner, breakfast is significantly lighter but this also depends on location and means. For example, those in the village tend to have heavier breakfasts such as Githeri which is normally meant for lunch or dinner, because it is more affordable and they need the energy to work in the fields.

    Lunch and dinner are normally warm/hot meals. Dinner is mostly special as this is the time the family gets to sit and enjoy a meal together.

    Table of contents

    • What is a typical Kenyan meal?
    • Kenyan Breakfast Recipes
    • Kenyan Lunch and Dinner Meals
    • Kenyan Food Summary
    • More African Food to Explore!

    Kenyan Breakfast Recipes

    These Kenyan breakfast recipes are the perfect way to start the day!

    Kenyan Chai (Tea)
    Kenyans are well known for loving their black tea! This tangawizi chai is soothing, delicious, and makes for the perfect breakfast drink!
    Get This Tangawizi Chai Recipe
    Kenyan Tangawizi Chai - Ginger Tea with Milk
    Kenyan Mandazi
    These are soft and delicious buns made by deep-frying dough in hot cooking oil. Mandazi is great to serve for breakfast with black tea with milk (chai), a cup of coffee, fruit juice, or to eat as it is.
    Get This Mandazi Recipe
    A picture of mandazi in a bowl.
    Boiled Sweet Potatoes
    These are boiled, and served hot or cold, with the skins peeled. In the village areas, the sweet potatoes are usually cooked covered in banana leaves using a charcoal stove known as a jiko, or using firewood then served with tea or porridge. In addition to sweet potatoes, other tubers such as regular white potatoes, cassava (yucca) and yams are served alongside the sweet potatoes.
    See how to make Kenyan Boiled Sweet Potatoes here.
    Mahamri
    Similar to mandazi, Mahamris are soft buns made by frying cut-out pieces of dough in hot oil. They differ slightly from mandazi in that they are made using coconut milk and spiced using cardamon. Serve them with some pigeon peas cooked in coconut sauce (mbaazi).
    See how to make Mahamri here.
    A picture of a plate of mahamri.
    Vibibi
    Vibibi are Swahili rice and coconut milk pancakes, usually served for breakfast or during the holy month of Ramadan. They are perfect to enjoy with a cup of tea, or coffee.
    See how to make vibibi here.
    A plate of East African vibibi.

    Kenyan Lunch and Dinner Meals

    These Kenyan meals combine the flavors of the traditional locals, Arabic, and Asian cuisine. Unlike the West-African cuisine which is known for its bold use of hot peppers, Kenyan food is more centered on the use of aromatic herbs and spices. These are used to enhance the taste and smell of the food. Chilli peppers are hardly cooked directly in the food, rather, they are sliced and served separately to those who like their food spicy.

    Sukuma Wiki
    If you are looking for an easy Kenyan recipe to start with, then sukuma wiki is the way to go. Sukuma wiki simply refers to braised collard greens. Its name literally translates to stretch the week, because of its affordability and due to the fact that it is almost eaten daily. Sukuma wiki, which is considered one of Kenya's national dishes, is simple to prepare, delicious and very nutritious.
    Find the Sukuma Wiki Recipe Here.
    Kenyan Sukuma Wiki served on a small plate and garnished with chopped tomato.
    Ugali
    Also considered one of the national dishes in Kenya, ugali is made by cooking maize flour (coarse cornmeal) in hot water to a mush, which is then shaped. It is a popular side dish that is eaten almost daily by Kenyans and is normally served alongside vegetables, grilled fish, meat or chicken, stews, and soups.
    Get The Ugali Recipe.
    A plate of ugali with some omena in the background.
    Kuku Paka
    Having its origins in the coastal region, this delectable chicken in coconut sauce recipe is a must-try! Serve it with some rice, ugali, or chapati for a wonderful lunch or dinner!
    Get this Kuku Paka Recipe.
    A picture of a plate of East African Kuku Paka.
    Githeri
    Githeri is a common one-pot meal comprising maize and beans. Nutritious and delicious, Githeri is also budget-friendly, easy to make, vegetarian and vegan.
    See How to Make Githeri Here.
    A plate of Githeri, garnished with cilantro or coriander.
    Kachumbari
    Kachumbari is a popular East African salad comprising tomatoes and onions. Fresh, citrusy, and delicious, it is perfect to serve alongside so many dishes.
    Check out This Kachumbari Recipe.
    An overhead photo of East African Kachumbari
    Nyama Choma
    Nyama choma, which refers to delicious roasted or barbecued meat. Juicy, and delicious, it is perfect to enjoy with friends and family during special occasions and social gatherings. Pair it up with some ugali and kachumbari for a complete meal!
    See how to make Nyama Choma Here.
    An overhead picture of nyama choma arranged on a grilling rack and garnished with some rosemary.
    Swahili Pilau
    Kenyan Swahili pilau is a spiced rice dish with Indian and Arabic influences. It is one of the dishes that is commonly served during special occasions such as birthdays and weddings and is prepared by cooking rice with meat or vegetables, garlic, ginger, and pilau spice. The communities living along the coastal region of Kenya such as Mombasa, Lamu and Watamu make arguably the best pilau. Paired up with Kachumbari, Swahili pilau is a wonderful dish that you can also make ahead!
    Check out this Kenyan Swahili Pilau recipe.
    Swahili pilau rice served on a plate, with some kachumbari on the side.
    Pilau Masala
    Pilau masala is the spice that gives pilau rice its aromatic fragrance. Earthy, warm, and fragrant, this pilau masala will certainly transform your rice dishes.
    See how to make Pilau Masala here.
    Pilau masala spice in a spice container
    Chapati
    This flaky, soft, and layered Kenyan flatbread is perfect to enjoy with stews, soups, vegetables, or tea for breakfast. You can also enjoy it as it is, as a snack.
    Find out how to make Kenyan Chapati here.
    A picture showing several chapatis folded on a plate.
    Ndengu
    By far one of the tastiest Kenyan vegetarian recipes, Ndengu, which refers to mung beans (green grams), is an easy and nutritious meal that everyone will enjoy. Ndengu is best served with chapati, rice, or ugali.
    Get This Ndengu Recipe.
    A bowl of ndengu garnished with coriander.
    Kenyan Beef Stew
    Kenyan beef stew is made using simple everyday ingredients such as tomatoes and onions, which are then simmered into a wonderful stew. Hearty, delicious, and comforting, it is a dish you certainly want to try!
    Get this Kenyan Beef Stew Recipe.
    Kenyan Beef Stew
    Mishkaki
    Tender pieces of meat are marinated, skewered and then slowly grilled to make Mishkaki. This is a dish that has its influences from the coastal region, where it is also a popular part of the street food culture.
    Check out this Mishkaki Recipe.
    A side picture of mishkaki (also known as mshakiki).
    Samaki wa Kupaka
    Samaki wa Kupaka basically refers to marinated grilled fish cooked in a coconut sauce. Pair it up with ugali, chapati, or your favourite rice dishes for a complete meal!
    Find out how to make Samaki wa Kupaka Here.
    Samaki wa Kupaka
    Fried Chicken Hearts
    These delicious chicken hearts are pan-fried with spices. Protein-packed and quick to make, this dish is also paleo and keto-friendly, making it perfect for those on special diets.
    Get This Fried Chicken Hearts Recipe.
    A picture showing fried chicken hearts.
    Omena
    Omena are small fish similar to sardines. This dish, which has its origins in Nyanza, in the Western part of Kenya, is protein-packed, delicious, and nutritious.
    How to Make This Omena Recipe.
    A plate of omena (dagaa) fish.
    Chips Masala
    French fries (chips) are cooked with flavorful spices with this chips masala recipe. Tired of plain and boring chips? Then you definitely want to try out this chips masala recipe!
    Get This Chips Masala Recipe.
    A plate of chips masala
    Chips Mayai
    Chips Mayai is a popular East African street food that you can also enjoy for lunch or dinner. It is a veggie-loaded omelette that is extremely tasty and easy to prepare.
    Find out how to make Chips Mayai Here.
    An overhead picture of chips mayai on a plate.

    As we all know, every good thing must come to an end. There are other recipes that are just too good not to mention so I suggest you definitely check out these as well:-

    • 23. Mukimo - is a hearty and comforting Kenyan meal made by mashing boiled potatoes with corn and green vegetables, such as pumpkin leaves. Mukimo is nutritious, very, easy to prepare, and perfect to serve with stews and fried or grilled vegetables and meat.
    • 24. Matoke - basically refers to cooked green bananas particularly popular in the African Great Lakes Region, especially in Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi. Cooked to a stew, enjoy matoke as it is as a main dish, or serve it alongside other dishes.
    • 25. Mutura (mtura) - these are cow or goat intestines, which are stuffed with ground meat, blood, and seasoning, then roasted slowly on a charcoal grill (jiko). Mtura, which is a great part of Kenya's street food culture, is also commonly available to purchase at the local butcher's.

    Kenyan Food Summary

    Kenya is known for its hospitality, diverse culture, breathtaking regions, and safaris, and these are all reflected in the food. So, whether you are making these meals at home, getting them from a local street vendor or kiosk, or planning a trip to Kenya, you will love the bold flavors of Kenyan food!

    Did I leave out your favorite Kenyan dish? Not to worry, at all. Let us discuss it in the comments section below and I will make a point of including it in the next edition. Happy cooking!

    More African Food to Explore!

    Don't just stop here, check out these other delicious African food recipes!

    • Moroccan Chermoula Sauce
    • Parsley and Lemon Moroccan Carrot Salad
    • South African Beef Stew

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    Hi, I'm Kate! I am here to show you how easy it is to recreate African dishes at home, as well as other simple recipes from around the world.

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