Kenyan Foods That Have Received International Recognition

There are types of Kenyan foods that are famous and addictive not only in the country but also in foreign countries.

This has seen it being recognized by people abroad.

Nyama Choma

In New Jersey, a Kenyan-born Eutychus Macharia Kangarua is famous for his joint that deals with nyama choma.

He makes most of his nyama choma sales online, with his New Jersey-based Latha Foods Company shipping the ready-made roast beef, sausages, mutton, and turkey across the US.

Macharia stated that getting into the nyama choma business abroad took work, especially with the strict regulations set by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and also by individual states.

“It was tough getting through US certification,” he said. “We started by just doing barbeques for people, but we have not grown into specializing in large supplies,” he stated.

Nyama Choma roasted on a griller.Courtesy

Sukuma Wiki and Cassava

In Washington, District of Columbia, USA there is a famous restaurant that is well known for Kenyan food.

Safari DC, as the restaurant is commonly known, receives many visitors as they state that it gives them a feel of Kenyan food.

According to William Mukabane and his wife Alice, the founders of the restaurant, Alice's yearning for Kenyan food ignited the desire to establish a restaurant majoring in delicacies.

The hotel features cuisines such as grilled meat, and staples such as collard greens, cassava, and grains.

Mukimo

Elizabeth owns a restaurant called African Cuisine in Washington. Before she moved to America she owned two hotels in Kenya.

Her passion for hotels and cooking motivated her to try establishing a similar business in America.

Later she started her hotel business which is now doing well. She deals with Kenyan foods like Mukimo, pilau, soup, porridge, chapati, ugali, and other foods.

She introduced the foods to the white people who currently are addicted to Kenyan food. She also does outside catering.

"In America, you must work hard in what you do because if you don't work you will go hungry. The uniqueness of my business is that I don't use spices in my foods because people are different in what they eat,” she stated.

Matumbo

Two brothers David Kimani and Collins Ngure decided to venture abroad and begin a food business across Birmingham in Alabama, United States, dedicated to selling Kenyan-inspired meals.

They launched their truck in 2020 and branded it, Sahani.

On the menu, you will find foods such as Nyama Choma and Matumbo (tripe) – both of which retail at Ksh2,400 a plate served with an accompaniment.

Other meals on the roster include Chapati (which retails for Ksh300 a piece), Sausage (Ksh300) as well as Mutura and Mokimo.

Kenyans have continued to thrive in businesses internationally and wherever they go always make sure that they carry the blood of the Kenyan spirit with them influencing foreigners to adopt it.

David Kimani and his brother Collins Ngure (left) and a plate of Matumbo.File