The Nairobi-Mombasa highway is one of the busiest and most traveled roads in Kenya. It is an essential route for tourists, traders, and locals traveling between the two cities. Along the highway, you will find numerous roadside food stalls serving various delicacies that are both affordable and delicious. Here are ten road-side food stalls on the Nairobi-Mombasa highway that you must visit:
- Salama Market: This market is located about 65 kilometers from Nairobi and is famous for its grilled meat, locally known as 'nyama choma.' You can enjoy a plate of succulent goat, beef, or chicken meat served with traditional sides like kachumbari, ugali, and sukuma wiki.
- Kibwezi: Kibwezi town is famous for its roasted maize, which is a common snack for travelers. The maize is roasted over a charcoal fire and then coated with butter and salt to give it a savory taste. You can also find vendors selling fresh fruits like mangoes, pineapples, and watermelons.
- Mtito Andei: This small town is a popular stopover for travelers. The roadside food stalls here are known for their famous 'chapati and beans' dish. The chapati is a type of flatbread made from wheat flour and cooked on a griddle, while the beans are prepared with coconut milk and spices.
- Voi: Voi town is famous for its samosas. These are triangular-shaped pastries filled with meat, vegetables, or cheese. You can also find vendors selling bhajias, which are deep-fried potato or cassava slices coated with a spiced gram flour batter.
- Mariakani: This small town is known for its fresh fish. The vendors here sell grilled tilapia and catfish, which are served with a side of kachumbari and ugali.
- Mackinnon Road: This town is famous for its street food, particularly its mandazi. These are sweet, fried doughnuts that are popular breakfast snacks. You can also find vendors selling 'madafu,' which is fresh coconut water served straight from the coconut.
- Kambu: Kambu town is famous for its 'pilau,' which is a rice dish cooked with spices and meat. The vendors here use traditional recipes passed down through generations to create this flavorful dish.
- Mazeras: This small town is known for its 'viazi karai,' which are deep-fried potatoes coated in a spiced gram flour batter. The potatoes are served hot and crispy, making them a popular snack for travelers.
- Mariakani Weighbridge: This stopover is popular for its 'mshikaki,' which is grilled meat skewered on sticks. The meat is marinated in a spicy sauce and grilled over a charcoal fire, giving it a smoky flavor.
- Mombasa: Mombasa city is famous for its street food culture. You can find vendors selling everything from 'bhajia' to 'mitai,' which are sweet, sticky candies made from coconut, sesame seeds, and sugar.
In summation, the Nairobi-Mombasa highway offers a wide variety of roadside food stalls serving delicious, affordable food. These ten food stalls are just a few examples of the many options available to travelers. Whether you are looking for a quick snack or a full meal, these food stalls are definitely worth a visit.