Best Kenyan Foods to Find in Nairobi

 Kenya is known for its welcoming spirit, its athletic champions, beautiful scenery, and majestic wildlife. It’s about time it’s also more known for its excellent food. But what is Kenyan food, exactly? Read on for a primer on some of the best Kenyan foods, and where to find them in Nairobi, the country’s capital—and the ideal place to embark on an incredible Kenyan food adventure. If you really want to experience traditional Kenyan cuisine passed down through many generations, you’re in the right spot.

Ugali

Ugali is the main staple food of Kenya, prepared by mixing maize flour with boiling water to form a semi-solid, dough-like consistency. There are some variations to it, such as using millet flour instead of corn, and it’s mostly served alongside vegetables or meat stew. How significant a dish is this? In some parts of the country, a woman’s cooking is traditionally judged solely by how good her ugali is. No pressure.

The best part about eating ugali is you can just roll it between your fingers—there’s no need for utensils. Just rip off a piece, roll it up, and use it to scoop up some stew.

Where to find it: As it’s such an essential dish, ugali can be found at nearly all Nairobi restaurants serving Kenya food in Nairobi. K’Osewe Ranalo (Kimathi St., map; open daily, 10:30am-3am) is one of the best places, however, where you might try ugali with meat stew, fish stew, and greens.

Mukimo

No family or social celebration in Kenya passes without mukimo, a mashup of potatoes, corn, and green vegetables (often cow peas and rose cocoa beansare added to make this more nutritious). Mukimo is served at all events, whether it’s celebrating the birth of a new baby, a wedding, or a funeral. It originates from Central Kenya, where people have a unique affinity for potatoes, but nowadays it’s common across the country. Mukimo is best served with meat stew or chicken stew.

Where to find it: If you can’t get yourself invited to someone’s wedding, head to the fun and funky Nyama Mama Delta (Delta towers, map; open daily, noon-11pm) for the best mukimo in town. This is one of the best restaurants in Nairobi, and it does mukimo right. Pair it with its chicken biryani stew and greens.

Githeri

Another very common food in Kenya, githeri is prepared by mixing beans and maize in one pot, and then boiling them until cooked. Most people prefer to fry their githeri, adding chopped onions, tomatoes, potatoes, carrots, and coriander for a big boost of flavor. It is a stand-alone meal.

Where to find it: This bean and corn stew is sold on the streets of Nairobi, and in most hotels. Of course, it’s advisable to avoid the street githeri if you have a weak stomach. Instead try the Villa Rosa Kempinski hotel (Chiromo Rd., map) where its Café Villa Rosa restaurant often serves traditional food, including githeri.

About the author:  Bernard Okello is a Kenya-based writer who loves to write about Africa. She is a foodie with an adventurous spirit who enjoys traveling and experiencing new cultures.