Pilau is a glorified combination of rice cooked with flavor bursting
spices like cumin, cardamon, cinnamon, and cloves. The fragrant rice is
fantastic to eat with a form of meat stew and a few slices of fresh
tomato and onions.
Biriyani is another form of spiced rice that is a popular Kenyan food on the coast.
Even though it’s in Tanzania, I’ve enjoyed some of the
I’ve ever eaten on the island of Zanzibar! Kenyan Food – Pilau Rice
Here is a list of 20 Kenyan favorites to help you get excited about eating Kenyan food!
1. Ugali (Cornmeal Staple)
The undeniable most common Kenyan food staple is ugali – usually made
from cornmeal that is added to boiling water and heated until it turns
into a dense block of cornmeal paste. Ugali has the consistency of a
grainy dough and the heaviness of a brick.
For many Kenyans, ugali along with a small amount of cooked vegetables or saucy stew is a normal meal.
Kenyan Food – Ugali
2. Irio (Mashed Peas and Potato Mix)
Irio is one of the most famous dishes in Kenya, a food that originated as a Kikuyu staple and spread throughout the country.
Green peas and potatoes are boiled and then mashed up before whole
kernels of maize (corn) are added to give the mash some extra starch and
texture. This hearty and heavy Kenyan food is famous to eat with roasted nyama choma meat (nyama na irio) or just some Kenyan style stew. photo credit kiplagat
3. Githeri (Beans and Corn)
It’s not too complicated, a Kenyan dish that consists of boiled
beans, corn kernels, and possibly mixed in with a little bit of
vegetables.
The combination of Githeri is a filling, highly nutritious, and can
be quite good when complimented with salt, pepper, chilies, and even a
chapati!
