From shish to kofta, gyros to souvlaki, kebabs are beloved all across the world. Each region has their own delicious version of the dish that it’s so hard to choose a top five!
Kebabs are a much-loved dish around the world and constitute a huge part of many cultures’ traditional dishes. There’s a lot of debate over who invented the meaty delicacy, and kebabs in specific regions may look and even taste similar. But rest assured, each country has put their own unique twist on the beloved kebab.
Whether you eat them as your hangover cure or as your typical Sunday dinner, there’s no denying just how good they are (unless you’re vegetarian- sorry). Here are some of the 5 best kebabs from across the world.
Gyros from Greece
Maybe I’m biased (proud Cypriot over here) but I truly think gyros are the best version of kebab to exist! Gyros kebabs are typically made with chicken or pork, and the meat is skewered and barbecued on a charcoal grill, ensuring it gets perfectly crispy and juicy.
It’s typically paired with tzatziki, chips and salad, and is wrapped in a perfectly soft flatbread or pita bread. The dish originates in Greece but is widely eaten in Cyprus and across the Mediterranean too.
Shish Kebab from Turkey
This is one of the most renowned kebabs from around the world, and is a speciality of Turkey. Shish Kebab is typically made with lamb but can be made with beef too.
The dish is sometimes skewered after being cut into chunks but is also commonly minced and moulded onto the skewer. It is eaten widely around the Mediterranean and Middle East, and is the main event of a meze.
Yakitori Kebab from Japan
Yakitori are very small chicken kebabs, glazed with a sweet soy dipping sauce. They are popular in East Asia but specifically in Japan. It is very light and fresh, so makes for a perfect snacking kebab.
Japanese grill masters use every imaginable cut of chicken, from white and dark meat, wings, and skin, to liver, gizzard, and even embryonic eggs. But in the UK, you’ll probably be severed chicken breast in your yakitori.
Anticuchos from Peru
A visit to Lima would be incomplete without trying a kebab that’s not only an everyday snack but also a Peruvian national obsession—anticuchos. They aren’t as mainstream in the UK as some of the others on this list but are delicious nonetheless.
The traditional meat used in anticuchos is beef heart, but it’s also commonly made with a rib eye or sirloin cut of beef. Don’t skip the fiery yellow chilli sauce or potatoes, though!
Döner Kebab from Germany/Turkey
Döner is a type of kebab which is made of meat cooked on a vertical rotisserie. The seasoned meat is stacked in the shape of an inverted cone and turns slowly to cook, which can be seen commonly in kebabs or fish and chip shops.
The origins are still widely disputed, with Germans and Turks fighting over who actually created the delicious dish. Either way, Döner is famous for a reason, and I would definitely recommend it.
Comment down below which kebab is your favourite.