Kenyan street foods are very popular and hard not to notice as you walk through the major cities and towns.
Each street food carries its weight of cultural significance that is tied to a specific community.
Additionally, most street foods are cost-effective and can be found on the roadsides when you need a quick snack. Mutura, mayai pasua, roasted maize (mahindi choma), mishikaki, smocha, smokie pasua, chips, samosa, fried cassava, and mandazi are the most popular street foods in Kenya.
Roasted Maize (Mahindi Choma)
Roasted Maize is commonly sold on roadsides. It is prepared by grilling fresh maize cobs over a hot grill. The majority of Kenyans prefer roasted maize with added seasonings. You can add chili, salt, or lemon juice for flavor.
Roasted maize contains health benefits for example it contains high fiber content which helps in digestion.
Mutura Kenyan Street food
Mutura is one of the most loved common street foods in Kenya. Some refer to it as the ‘African sausage’.
Most Kenyans prefer to eat it in the evening or the late hours of the day. It is made with stuffed minced meat and goat blood and sometimes it can be combined with red onions to spice it up.
It is cooked by grilling to give it a smoky effect.
Kenyans prefer to eat it with Kachumbari which has chili in it to give it a delicious taste worth drooling for.
Mshikaki
Popular in the coastal region of Kenya. It brings out the Swahili culture and traditions. It consists of marinated meat skewers grilled over a heat. It can be made in different types of meat such as beef, goat meat, and chicken.
Mshikaki can be accompanied by Kachumbari or Coconut Sauce.
Mayai Pasua
Mayai Pasua is the simplest and easy to make street food. It is popular for its flavorful taste. Mayai Pasua is a boiled egg, split the boiled egg into half and add Kachumbari (raw tomatoes and onions mixed together), salt, and pepper to taste.
A taste of Mayai Pasua will leave you a yearning for more experience.
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Smokie Pasua
Famously known for its sweetness. ” One is never enough,” quote is commonly used by Kenyans as they eat street food.
It is made by splitting Smokie (Sausage) into half and seasoning it with Kachumbari (raw tomatoes and onions mixed together), salt, and pepper to taste.
Most of the Kenyan vendors, sell both mayai pasua and smokie pasua to have a delightful combination.
Smocha
The favorite combination of many in Kenya. Smocha is a combination of smokies (sausages) and Chapati. The smokie is filled with kachumburi (raw tomatoes and onions mixed together), salt, and pepper to taste.
Other accompaniments can include, avocado and mayonnaise for flavor.
Mandazi
It is most popular in the Coastal streets; it gives a taste of Swahili Culture and traditions. It is prepared by kneading the dough, cutting it into triangular shapes and deep frying it until golden brown.
Mandazi is an accompaniment to tea or coffee. Mostly, Kenyans prefer to take Mandazi in the morning for breakfast.
You can spice up your dough with cinnamon, sugar, and salt to make yummy mandazi.
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Chips
Kenyans popularly call it ‘Chips Mwitu’. Making Chips Mwitu features, hand peeling of potatoes the deep frying them in hot cooking oil.
It can be accompanied by Kachumbari, salt, tomato sauce, chili sauce, or vinegar to taste.
To make Chips Mwitu more appetizing, you can avocado and eggs to make a perfect combination for eating.
Fried Cassava
It is the new and popular upcoming delicious snack in the streets of Kenya. It is made from deep-fried Cassava and can be added Kachumburi (raw tomatoes and onions mixed), salt, and pepper to ehance its taste.
Samosa
Samosas are famous among the Swahili community in Kenya. They are savory pastries stuffed with boiled potatoes, minced meat, or cooked green grams.
Spices such as cumin, ginger, cinnamon, or coriander can be used to make delightful samosa.
Kenya is rich in its Culture; hence the foods bring out the diversity of Cultures and love for traditions.
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