Essential Kitchen Knives Every Kenyan Cook Should Own

This is the king of all knives! If you can only afford one good knife, let it be a chef’s knife. It’s versatile and can handle almost everything – chopping onions, slicing meat, dicing tomatoes, even crushing garlic with the side of the blade. A good 8 to 10-inch chef’s knife will make cooking so much easier and faster.

Not every job needs a big knife. When peeling fruits, deveining prawns, or slicing small veggies like chillies, a paring knife is your best friend. It’s small, sharp, and precise, making it perfect for delicate tasks that a chef’s knife would be too big for.

You probably think a bread knife is only for slicing bread, right? Wrong! A good serrated knife is also great for slicing soft fruits like tomatoes and even cakes without crushing them. The saw-like edges allow you to cut through without putting too much pressure, making it a must-have in any kitchen.

If you enjoy cooking meat, this knife is a must. Whether you’re deboning chicken, filleting fish, or trimming beef, a boning knife makes it easy to separate meat from bone. Kenyan butchers use a similar knife for precision cutting – and if you love nyama choma, having one at home is a game changer.

Ah, the mighty cleaver! If you’ve ever watched your local butcher work, you know this knife means business. It’s perfect for cutting through bones, chopping large pieces of meat, and even crushing garlic and ginger. If you cook a lot of goat meat or make homemade mutura, you need this powerhouse in your kitchen.

Think of a utility knife as a smaller version of the chef’s knife. It’s great for tasks that are too big for a paring knife but don’t need a full-sized chef’s knife. Cutting sandwiches, slicing cheese, or even chopping smaller veggies? This knife does it all.

For those who love cooking fish, a fillet knife is a must. It’s thin, flexible, and perfect for removing skin and bones without wasting the meat. If you regularly cook tilapia, nile perch, or even omena, this knife will make your life so much easier.

For all my vegetable lovers, this one’s for you! The Nakiri knife is designed specifically for chopping vegetables, and its flat blade ensures even cuts. If you cook a lot of sukuma wiki, cabbage, or any greens, this knife will make your chopping effortless.

Slicing through a perfectly roasted chicken, turkey, or beef needs a sharp and precise knife. A carving knife is long and thin, allowing you to get those neat, restaurant-style slices. If you love hosting nyama choma sessions, this knife is a must-have!

Okay, so this is not technically a knife, but kitchen shears deserve a mention. These scissors are great for cutting herbs, trimming chicken, and even opening food packaging. Every Kenyan kitchen needs a good pair of kitchen shears.