Nairobi is known for having some of the best five star restaurants in the country, but some of the best food can be found on its busy streets. Everywhere you turn there is a food vendor selling this that and the other type of food. And seeing as how Nairobians are constantly on the go, street food is the perfect solution for that random food craving.
- Viazi Karai
This street food is typically sold within neighbourhoods. Viazi Karai loosely translates to deep fried potatoes. The potatoes are coated in a light mixture of mixed spices and flour paste and are then deep fried and served hot with a dash of salt. The greatest thing about viazi karai is that you buy according to how much you have, you can get some for as low as 10 shillings or as high as 500 shillings.
- Mshikakis
Mshikakis are a staple in Kenyan street food. The English word for mshikaki is kebab, and should not be confused for the deep fried meat that one can get from most chicken and chips eateries in Nairobi. A typical mshikaki will have a few pieces of meat, beef mostly, some onions and some green peppers. The meat and vegetables are threaded onto a bamboo stick, grilled over an open flame and served hot.
- Mayai boiro
Mayai boiro (boiled eggs) is a crowd favourite with Kenyans especially after an intense night of partying, be it in Westlands or the CBD. The ‘mayai boiro’ is usually accompanied with some kachumbari and really hot chilli sauce to make it even more tastier. But be weary of the chilli sauce - it’s usually not for the light hearted, and one should proceed with caution while consuming it.
- Mahindi Choma
It’s impossible to miss a mahindi choma (roast maize) guy on any Nairobi street or foot path; if there is a path, the mahindi choma guy will find it and set up shop there. Mahindi choma is best enjoyed hot with a dash of salt, chilli and lemon. Just like with the viazi karai, mahindi choma is sold to you according to your pocket.
- Smokies
Another crowd favourite is the smokie. Smokie vendors can be found at almost every corner in Nairobi- seriously, if you throw a stone in Nairobi you’ll hit a smokie vendor. Served similar to the way mayai boilo is - they are usually sold at the same spots - smokies are eaten with kachumbari and chilli sauce. Some vendors even have two different kinds of kachumbari; regular and pili pili. Pro-tip: be very wary of the pilipili one, it is no joke. These are also great for after a night out on the town or maybe when you can’t afford a sausage form Kenchic.
- Samosas
Samosas are a great street food, meat samosas are bit harder to find than say ndengu (green grams) or potato samosas sometimes. Though we have to ask, whose bright idea was it to even consider putting potatoes in samosas? Meat samosas are great but they’re also risky to eat. This is Kenya after all, you never know where that meat could be from. But when you do find a properly cooked and spiced samosa, it is heaven, actual heaven.
- Choma Sausage
This is just a more expensive version of the smokie, because honestly they are exactly the same thing. A choma sausage may be slightly bigger though, nevertheless choma sausages are great. They’re delicious and in that moment when you’re hungry and you bite into one you might swear it’s worth the price. I’m just waiting for the day when the come through stuff with maybe cheese or barbecue sauce on the inside, wouldn’t that be great?
- Mandazis
Mandazis are a staple of most kenyan households, but just because they’re made at home frequently does not mean that they’re not enjoyed as a street food. Those women who sell mandazis with a cup of tea or a cup of uji are honest to God lifesavers. Mandazis can be had with breakfast with a cup of tea or one can even hollow them out and stuff then with a samosa or a smokie for a double treat.
- Mutura
This is another neighbourhood staple:- mutura is mainly sold outside butcheries in Nairobi. Mutura is a traditional Kenyan sausage and can sometimes be referred to as blood sausage. At certain interval during the day the butcher comes out with his grill and roasts up the mutura, you eat it fresh of the grill while it’s still piping hot. Just like viazi karai and mahindi choma you buy according to what you have starting from as low as 10 shillings. If you try to take away to take some home you ruin the experience for yourself, the delicious and greasy treat is best eaten where it’s bought.
- Nduma and cassava crisps
These are thinly sliced pieces of arrow roots or cassava deep fried in sunflower or any other vegetable oil, served with a dash of salt. These are a great street food that can be enjoyed on the go or you can take away and save for later. These day the women who make and sells these even package them for you.
Have we left out your favourite type of street food? Let us know!
