Food & drink in Kenya

View tours to Kenya

A delicious side that is served with almost every meal you order. It’s essentially braised or stewed spinach and collard greens cooked with onions, tomatoes, stock, capsicum and a variety of other spices.

Ugali is a common side dish to any meal. Made by boiling grains unti it resembles thick porridge, then left to cool and served in slabs. It’s stodgy, heavy and very satisfying after a long day out in the wild.

Fresh fruit is abundant in Kenya so it would be a shame not to indulge after all of those heavy meals. You can find mangoes, pineapples, pawpaws, passion fruit, bananas, custard apples and guavas.

Tilapia is the most common fish in Kenya, especially in the central regions where it's found in freshwater lakes. It is traditionally fried or grilled whole and served with the Kenya staples - ugali and sukuma wiki. Delicious!

Wa Kupaka, meaning “with a rich coconut curry stew”, is essentially a delicious coconut fish curry. Common fish used are udavi (shrimp) and kamba (prawns). You can also find them made with chicken. 

Originally from India but beloved by almost every Kenyan, Pilau is a common site to see. It usually consists of full-flavoured and well-spiced rice, cooked in meat stock with chunks of chicken or fish. Delicious.

Mukimo is some of the most popular food in Kenya. This traditional dish is made by combining peas, potatoes, onions and corn and mashed together to create a big ball of stodge. It’s often served at major events and parties.

Matoke is a delicious dish and a favourite amongst locals and tourists alike. Essentially, Matoke is a plantain and banana curry. The plantain is cooked, mashed and then served with a sloppy, flavoursome sauce.