Lunchtime revelers at a popular Nairobi fast food joint

“And what do they live on?” Asked Alice, who was always very interested in matters of eating and drinking. Alice in Wonderland – Lewis Carroll.

FAST FOOD, FAST LIVES

The food a people eat…the manner, place and time are deeply embedded into every culture.
It tells the story of how the people came to be and gives a sense of community and well-being. Increasingly however fast food establishments are becoming ubiquitous in almost every culture.
Fried chicken and chips are a favourite in Kenya and duly compete with the traditional food joints that are scattered around the city. The nutritional value of indigenous foods has is not valued alongside the sleek and modern offering of burgers and pizza halls.

Nairobi is holding its own however, giving people many choices of how and where to eat without losing all sense of its food culture. Nyoma Choma restaurants are just as popular as the Kenchic. Ugali and roasted maize cobs are thriving as daily staples, even though chips is an absolute favourite. I’m enjoying the strong Ehiopian influences all around me. I eat regularly and cheaply at Habesha round my corner in Kilimani near Yaya. I also love the Italian influences with Divinos and Chanti Del Osteria, all walking distance from each other, doing good business alongside the Japanese Misono and the standard hotel fare all round.

Food in Nairobi is becoming as cosmopolitan as its people now…….Bon Apetit.

Sheila Ochugboju. Sept 4th 2009