Mutura, a popular Kenyan street food, has gained a loyal following among Kenyan expatriates in the United States, thanks to the entrepreneurial spirit of one man: John Kamau Karanja.
Karanja, a Kenyan immigrant, turned his love for mutura into a thriving business, creating a niche market for this unique Kenyan delicacy in the US.
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Karanja’s journey to success was not easy. Originally from Limuru, Kenya, he had to overcome various challenges before establishing his thriving restaurant in the US.
He worked as a plumber in South Sudan and sold curios in South Africa and Zambia, striving to make ends meet.
However, his luck turned around when he won the green card lottery in 2013, which enabled him to bring his expertise to Seattle and pursue his entrepreneurial dreams.
Karanja’s culinary talents and passion for Kenyan cuisine quickly gained recognition. It all started when he cooked nyama choma at a friend’s party, receiving rave reviews from the guests.
“One time at a friend’s party, I cooked for them nyama choma and they were very pleased. Days later, I kept receiving calls from various people asking me to cook for them nyama choma at a fee,” Karanja said in a past interview.
This marked the beginning of his journey as a restaurateur.
Despite facing various challenges, Karanja persevered and built his brand with the support of his family. Lims Nyama Choma is truly a family business, with his wife, Caroline Kamau, serving as the main chef, and his sons, Simon Kamau and Steve Kamau, working as a waiter and handling accounting, respectively.
Karanja’s family has been instrumental in the success of the restaurant, with each member contributing their skills and expertise to create a memorable dining experience for their customers.
Running a business in America came with its share of obstacles for Karanja. He had to navigate through the complexities of compliance with licenses and standards, but he remained undeterred.
He was committed to delivering an authentic Kenyan experience to his customers, who came from different parts of the world, including whites, South Africans, and Kenyans in the diaspora.
As a result, Lims Nyama Choma became a popular destination for those craving the flavors of Kenya and seeking a taste of home away from home.
Karanja’s dedication to providing an authentic Kenyan experience, coupled with the mouth-watering flavors of Kenyan cuisine offered at Lims Nyama Choma, drew in customers from various backgrounds who were eager to indulge in the tastes of Kenya and find comfort in the familiar flavors of home, even when far away.
Lims Nyama Choma opens from Tuesdays to Sundays, from 10 am to 10 pm, and remained closed on Mondays. Over time, the restaurant has become a hub for Kenyan food enthusiasts and a gathering place for the Kenyan community in Seattle.