My Kenyan Food Experience... By Semina Vagiakou

“Jambo” guys! Last month I had the chance to travel to Kenya, lucky me with the company of my Kenyan best friend. It was a great experience. As part of the trip was a Kenyan wedding, a domestic trip to Mombasa and swimming to the ocean at Diani beach and also having a safari to the Amboseli National park.

I believe that there is no better way to experiencing a country than through its food. And as I am a real foodie, the Kenyan food was a big challenge for me. Hopefully I nailed it. The food in Nairobi offers a pleasant mix of everything from delicious local Kenyan dishes to international restaurants. Because of the country's British colonization, many outside influences have found their way into traditional Kenyan cooking, especially from countries like India, Europe, and Pakistan.

But if you want a slight taste of traditional dishes, I’ll go over a few of my top traditional recommendations for Kenyan food.

1. Ugali: Ugali is usually made from ground cornmeal and is cooked into a thick paste and is recognized as Kenya’s national starch. Many Kenyan’s eat ugali every day. TIP: Get someone to teach you how to eat ugali with your hands.

2. Sukuma Wiki: Sukuma wiki (in English is known as kale) is the most popular green vegetable eaten throughout Kenya. The vegetables is usually chopped and mixed with tomatoes and onions.

3. Chapatis: Originating from Indian influence, the chapati has become a Kenyan staple. Kenyan chapatis are often eaten with a plate of beans and cabbage or sukuma wiki as well. TIP: I created a Greek version with honey and cinnamon!

4. Beans: Forms of beans are cooked with small bit of tomatoes and onions to create a pleasant bean dish with sauce that goes great with ugali, chapattis, or rice.

5. Nyama Choma (in English is known as Roasted Meat): There’s nothing as good as Kenyan roasted meat at a local joint! A very popular way to enjoy goat or beef is roasted and sliced on a board right on your table! It was my favorite thing to eat!

6. Chai: Despite the Kenyan coffee reputation, it’s tea that is the most popular hot beverage in Nairobi. Black tea is strong, mixed with milk, and sweetened up with spoons of sugar.

“Asante Sana”