Affordable Kenyan Street Food Guide 101

With an incredible variety of tasty bites at unbeatable prices, you’ll be spoiled for choice. Come savour the smoky flavour of grilled maize on a stick, perfect with a dash of lemon juice and chilly. Yum. This will enhance your tastebuds and bring out the natural sweetness. Or you could indulge in spicy samosas, crispy on the outside and bursting with flavorful fillings.

From traditional ugali and sukuma wiki to mouthwatering nyama choma, sample every region’s speciality. 

Whether you are a local looking to save a few shillings or a foreigner who wants to try Kenyan treats and tell a story, Kenyan streets are the best alternative. 

Now, if you’re craving street foods, you must know where to look. Plus how to save by eating on a budget.

                                                                                       Image: Kenyan Street food

But first;

5 Essential Kenyan Street Food Hacks

Get ready to indulge in Kenya’s culinary delights! These must-try dishes offer a flavourful journey through our country’s cultures, regions, and traditions. Let’s dig in, shall we?

1. Know Where to Look

Let me use this analogy. Not all car yards sell cars at the same price, plus the same type of cars. That applies to street vendors, too. Not all of them will sell food at an affordable price. Hence, you must know the exact spots to visit.

For example, if you are in Nairobi, head to Kenyatta market, Gikomba, or any side streets near the CBD. You won’t regret it. Plus, you will find quality food at affordable prices. 

While in Mombasa, visit Mombasa Old Town, where you will find tasty Mombasa Coastal Swahili dishes, and while in Kisumu, just find a lakeside vendor for tastier fish.

2. Go for Starchy Foods

For any budget-conscious person, Kenyan streets are full of various food options. You can always go for Starchy Foods because they are mostly cheap and fulfilling. What starchy foods to try out? Worry no more. Here is a list you can consider:

• Grilled maize (Mahindi Choma): Do you want a salty piece of maize? All you need is Ksh 20. It’s an excellent idea if you are on the move and don’t have the time to sit for a whole meal.
• Chapati and Ndengu: Ksh 50-100 is more than enough to get a full belly. This is a combo of stewed green grams alongside chapati. It’s a great meal that will provide a good dose of protein and leave you energized.
• Githeri: You will find Githeri in the streets sold in the form of small bags or cups seasoned with chilli or salt. You just need Ksh 50 to enjoy a fibre-rich meal that will keep you full for hours.

A starchy menu doesn’t just keep you full for hours. It is also affordable, hence an excellent choice if you want to eat something tastier on a budget.

3. Fresh Seasonal Pocket-Friendly Fruits

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Are you yearning for fresh organic fruits that are both cheap and delicious? Kenyan street food vendors boast various types of fruits. Below are some;

• Mangoes: Mangoes are a perfect refreshing snack on a hot, sunny day. During the mango harvesting season, you can get them from as low as Ksh 10.
• Bananas: These snacks will cost you between Ksh 5-10. They are also sweet and affordable.
• We also have plenty of watermelon, passion fruits, oranges, avocados, etc.

Buying fruits during their season will enable you to get the best at affordable prices while also supporting local farmers.

4. Go Sampling Bit of Everything 

Do you want to eat a little of everything by spending a little? Then worry not. Kenyan streets are the right place for you. You can eat a little of almost every meal on a budget. Below is a list of some of the tasty delicacies you can consider;

• Mutura: It’s a treat made with minced meat and spices, stuffed into a casing and grilled to perfection. It is mostly sold in pieces, and you could end up eating several pieces. It’s a good thing that Mutura is not costly; thus, you will spend just a few coins and feel satisfied.
• Smokie: Welcome to Kenya streets, where you will eat smoked sausage, sliced down in the middle and filled with tomato and onion(kachumbari). For under Ksh 50, you can enjoy this fantastic delicacy and even go for more if you have a reasonable budget.
• Samosas: They are little fried triangular-shaped snacks. Vendors stuff them with either vegetables or minced meat and are perfect for snacking. Again, they are affordable as they cost between Ksh 20-30 apiece.

Sampling from every vendor means you will enjoy every treat without thinking about how deep you have gone financially. In fact, you can have a mega feast without feeling guilty.

5. Remember to Bargain 

As you enjoy the street food experience in Kenya, remember to bargain. It’s one of the best ways of saving on what you had budgeted for. 

At times, vendors significantly hike prices if they notice you are a visitor. Just a bit of haggling can bring it down.  When bargaining, don’t forget to be polite and respectful so you can end up in a win-win situation.

If a chapati goes for Ksh 20, and they quote Ksh 40, just smile a little and say “hio si ya kawaida” to mean that’s not the regular price. You will see them smile back, and chances are they will lower the price.

Kenyan Street Foods on a Budget!

If you think going on a safari is the only adventure in Kenya, you are wrong. Sampling Kenyan street food is another fantastic adventure that not only allows you to enjoy the mouth-watering delicacies Kenya has to offer but also learn a lot. From smokies to delicious Githeri, take your pick and enjoy.

5 of the Best Kenyan Street Food