Common Kenyan Foods and Their English Names

Kenyan cuisine is a delightful blend of flavors influenced by the country’s diverse cultures, abundant agriculture, and rich history. If you’ve ever wondered about the most popular Kenyan dishes and their English translations, this guide will introduce you to staple foods, meats, snacks, and traditional vegetables enjoyed across Kenya.

Staple Foods

These are the backbone of Kenyan cuisine, often forming the main part of a meal.

1. Ugali – Stiff maize meal (cornmeal porridge)
2. Githeri – Succotash
3. Mukimo – Irio
4. Matoke – Cooked plantains
5. Rice Pilau – Spiced rice
6. Chapati – Flatbread
7. Mahindi Choma – Roasted maize
8. Uji – Porridge (often made from millet or sorghum)

Popular Meat Dishes

Kenyan meals often include meat, especially during celebrations or special occasions.

1. Nyama Choma – Grilled meat (beef, goat, or chicken)
2. Samaki – Fish (grilled, fried, or stewed)
3. Mshikaki – Meat skewers
4. Mutura – Blood sausage
5. Kuku Choma – Grilled chicken

Traditional Vegetables & Legume Dishes

Kenyan meals often include nutritious green leafy vegetables and legumes.

1. Sukuma Wiki – Collard greens
2. Managu – African nightshade
3. Terere – Amaranth leaves
4. Kunde – Cowpeas leaves
5. Ndengu – Green grams (mung beans)
6. Njahi – Black beans

Popular Snacks & Street Foods

Street food is a significant part of Kenyan culture, offering tasty and affordable treats.

1. Mandazi – Fried dough (similar to donuts)
2. Samosa – Savory pastry filled with meat or vegetables
3. Bhajia – Fried potato fritters
4. Viazi Karai – Deep-fried spiced potatoes
5. Mishkaki – Spicy grilled meat skewers

Fruits & Sweet Treats

Kenya is home to delicious tropical fruits and unique local sweets.

1. Mabuyu – Baobab seed candy
2. Achari – Pickled mangoes
3. Tamarind Juice – Tamarind-flavored drink
4. Maembe – Mangoes
5. Pineapple & Sugarcane Juice – Fresh fruit juices

Conclusion

Kenyan cuisine is vibrant, rich, and packed with flavors that reflect the country’s heritage. Whether you’re indulging in a plate of ugali and nyama choma or enjoying a street-side mandazi, each dish tells a story of tradition and culture.

Have you tried any of these Kenyan dishes? Let us know your favorites in the comments below!