Popularly known as Kenkey House but actually known as Viva Afrik, the East London mini Kenkey restaurant has more than just a bragging right as the only authentic ‘Ga Kenkey’ joint in London—it’s actually ran by real Ga-s, just as a perfect Kenkey joint in Accra would be operated by a Ga.
I wouldn’t buy a Chinese food from a Pakistani or an Indian—in fact the last time I did, it was full of curry and it didn’t taste anything like a Chinese food. Even the receptionist did not have that signature Chinese ‘fried rice’ pronunciation/accent. So why buy your ‘Ga Kenkey’ from an Ashanti or an Ewe?
During my undergraduate studies in East London, each Tuesday was a Kenkey feast day and together with some 3 friends of mine, we would sit and enjoy several balls of Kenkey with variety of fishes—while enjoying the usual Ghanaian restaurant open conversation, mostly in Ga.
Five years down the line, I still visit Kenkey House whenever I am looking for that real taste of a true Ga Kenkey—and even though being an ulcer ‘patient’ has made me a foe of the hot red pepper, I just can’t stop risking my life…
Yesterday, two friends visited me from Leeds and I took them straight to Kenkey House for them to enjoy what we call hot made in UK ‘Ghana Kenkey’, not the frozen stuff they eat at their ends.
For me, it’s not just the fact that you get to enjoy a real ‘Ga Kenkey’ at Viva Afrik which has made be a long standing stubborn customer, it’s the total package —the conversation, the space, the location, the hospitality, the people and more important the fact that you get to catch the Kenkey hot; right from the kitchen…
If you are ever in London and you are missing Nii’s mother’s Kenkey and fish back in Accra, just dash into Kenkey House and you will meet her twin sister there…
Viva Afrik (Kenkey House), is located at East London- 138 Leytonstone Road (Bothwick Road) London, E15 1UA | Phone: 020 8555 1222
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