If you are planning on visiting Kenya, you probably have an itinerary in mind. Going on Safaris, visiting wildlife sanctuaries and jungles, or checking out the springs out there- all these are definitely fun. But don’t make the mistake that most tourists make – missing out on the food of Kenya.
You see how there are so many icons on the internet? You click the icon and get more information regarding the product you want. It is the same with the culture of a region. Diving into the food is necessary to understand the culture of the place. Here are the best dishes in Kenya that you need to try out as soon as possible:
Ugali
This is the National dish of Kenya, so there is no better dish to start off the list. Ugali is a Kenyan staple, and you can’t go to Kenya and miss it. Cornmeal is added to boiling water and cooked till it forms a dense paste. Ugali is usually the main dish, to be eaten with stew and vegetables.
Githeri
This dish consists of corn and different kinds of beans, which makes it a super healthy and nutritious dish. The maize and beans are added to a pot, and water is then added to it. The mixture is boiled till it is fully cooked. People add salt, chili, pepper, and other spices according to taste.
Sukuma Wiki
This is the most common dish that is paired with Ugali in Kenya. It is a dish prepared from a leafy green vegetable called colewort. Onions, tomatoes, coriander, and cumin are added to the colewort to enhance the taste. This is a great dish for people who wish to stay healthy.
Irio
Irio is a dish popular among the Kikuyu tribe, similar to mashed potatoes. Potatoes, corn, and peas are boiled and then mashed to reach a paste-like consistency. For a deeper texture, add more corn kernels and peas to the mix, along with salt and pepper. Some people also add spinach and onions for a deeper flavour.
Wali wa Nazi
This is a rice dish prepared with rice and coconut. Grated coconut meat is added to the rice and cooked together in coconut milk, which gives it a great punch of aroma. Wali wa Nazi usually replaces plain white rice and offers a more flavorful company to other dishes. This dish is usually paired with stew, vegetables, or chicken curry.
Kenyan Pilau
Kenyan Pilau is another rice dish popular in Eastern Africa. The rice is cooked with spices like cardamom, clove, cinnamon, and cumin with other aromatics like ginger and garlic. All the flavours make this dish a popular choice for the menu. Chicken or beef is usually added to the pilau and is usually served as a standalone dish. But people often pair it with Kachumbari, a salad made with onions, tomatoes, and cilantro.
These are some of the most popular dishes in Kenya, and you should definitely try these to get a flavour of Kenya.
