
East Africa · Breakfast
Mandazi (Kenyan Spiced Cardamom Doughnuts)
Fluffy, triangular East African fried bread scented with ground cardamom, perfect dipped in chai.
The story
Mandazi is the ubiquitous morning and tea-time staple found in street stalls and home kitchens across Kenya. Less sweet than Western doughnuts, its tender crumb and pillowy texture are designed specifically to soak up spiced milk tea (Chai ya Maziwa). While everyday upcountry versions utilize baking powder for a fast rise, coastal varieties lean into rich coconut flavor.
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