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Which country makes the best Kebabs?

Which Country makes the best Kebabs?

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Snowed

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Which country has the best Kebabs?

Pakistan
India
Afghanistan
Turkey
Iran
Lebenon
Central Asian countries

In my travels, it has to be Turkey. I have never tasted such juicy and smokey kebabs. Turkey is a must visit for meat lovers
 
For me

Pakistan
Turkey
Afghanistan/Lebanon
Romania. The have Mici, taken from the Turks but with their own spices. Always need 40 odd whenever I fire up the grill when relatives visiting.
 
Bihari kebabs and chapli kebabs are the best south asian kebebs, but still match to turkish Adana and Urfa kebabs. Kebabs came to south asia from central asia
 
Turks and Iranian. Issue with Pakistani kebab is the over the top seasoning, chilli and they tend to be over done. Turks and Iranian kebabs are perfect as you can actually taste and enjoy the meat. The meat is also more leaner (may be better quality) and ofcourse their customer service tends to be better so overall a much better kebab eating experience :)
 
Kebabs of Pak origin. I don't feel comfortable with other kebabs:hasan
 
King-Misbah said:
Turks and Iranian. Issue with Pakistani kebab is the over the top seasoning, chilli and they tend to be over done. Turks and Iranian kebabs are perfect as you can actually taste and enjoy the meat. The meat is also more leaner (may be better quality) and ofcourse their customer service tends to be better so overall a much better kebab eating experience :)
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Well the reason for that is Kebabs are not originally south asian. We just desify anything that comes from outside. I think a good 80% of dishes we call Pakistani or North Indian are just desified versions of central asian, Iranian and Middle Eastern foods. Even Biryani is actually Iranian or Iraqi. Nihari is Turkish. Haleem is arabian. The only true South Asian kebabs are bihari kebabs
 
Turkey, Pakistan, Macedonia surprisingly. Macedonian kebabs are a bit more meatier and with more onions. I’ve heard Bulgarian kebabs are also good.

The worst we’re in the gulf countries. Dry and hard to digest.
 
I worry when I see a restaurant's menu where they are calling their Kebab or Kabaab as "Kabob". I somehow tend to emphasize the later half of the word and end up adding an additional "o" between bob. Have been reprimanded by my better half on several occasions for this slip of the tongue, not sure if this is a Freudian slip or I just have dyslexia.
 
As for who has the best kebabs.....very tough question from someone whole loves all sorts of kebabs.. plain, masala, lamb, beef, goat, etc. Although if I have to pick one, I'll go for some good old behari kebabs.
 
I've unreal amount of love for Shami kebabs and that's a very Indian/Pakistani thing. And then comes the minor matter of each family having it's own kebab recipe too. I guess the shaami kebabs that I grew up eating made by Ammi are the best kebabs I've ever eaten.

Also only tried Iranian kebabs once and didn't like them.

Now that I'm more of a vegetarian, I'd add falafel to the kebab category as well and say the Arabs make great falafel.
 
It is quite unfortunate that the majority of you have not tried the chapli kabab that you get in Peshawar.

The stuff that you get in other cities of Pakistan are nothing but cheap imitations, because they are nowhere near the original stuff. I won't call them the best kababs in the world, but they are right up there.

I am personally not a fan of desi style kababs full of spices, and although I haven't been to Turkey yet, I have been to many Turkish and Lebanese restaurants and they are incredible. In fact, they are quite similar to the seekh kabab that we get in Peshawar.
 
GoUgandaCranes said:
I've unreal amount of love for Shami kebabs and that's a very Indian/Pakistani thing. And then comes the minor matter of each family having it's own kebab recipe too. I guess the shaami kebabs that I grew up eating made by Ammi are the best kebabs I've ever eaten.

Also only tried Iranian kebabs once and didn't like them.

Now that I'm more of a vegetarian, I'd add falafel to the kebab category as well and say the Arabs make great falafel.
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Shami kababs are wonderful, but they are more of a snack though. I can have them daily, but I won't like to have them as a proper meal. For that reason, I do not think they hold up to the other forms of kabab. Nonetheless, it is probably my favorite snack, and there is always a big batch in the freezer at home.
 
I've tried Turkish, Pakistani and Indian kebabs. I'm a big kebab fan and liked all, but nothing beats the mouth watering Tunday kebab from Lucknow, India.
 
BreadPakoda said:
I've tried Turkish, Pakistani and Indian kebabs. I'm a big kebab fan and liked all, but nothing beats the mouth watering Tunday kebab from Lucknow, India.
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LOL... tunday are poor man's kebab.. Real kebab is the kakori kebab ( named after the place famous for the great train robbery).
 
Mamoon said:
Shami kababs are wonderful, but they are more of a snack though. I can have them daily, but I won't like to have them as a proper meal. For that reason, I do not think they hold up to the other forms of kabab. Nonetheless, it is probably my favorite snack, and there is always a big batch in the freezer at home.
Click to expand...

You and I have a very different definition of a snack but I get your point.
 
Mamoon said:
It is quite unfortunate that the majority of you have not tried the chapli kabab that you get in Peshawar.

The stuff that you get in other cities of Pakistan are nothing but cheap imitations, because they are nowhere near the original stuff. I won't call them the best kababs in the world, but they are right up there.

I am personally not a fan of desi style kababs full of spices, and although I haven't been to Turkey yet, I have been to many Turkish and Lebanese restaurants and they are incredible. In fact, they are quite similar to the seekh kabab that we get in Peshawar.
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Chapli Kebab is also one of my favourite Kebabs when in Pakistan. I think the main reason it is so delicious is the addition of saabut dhania to the mix.
 
DeadBall said:
Chapli Kebab is also one of my favourite Kebabs when in Pakistan. I think the main reason it is so delicious is the addition of saabut dhania to the mix.
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Yes, that really enhances the taste. In Peshawar, they also add some bone marrow, which takes it to the next level.
 
Mamoon said:
Yes, that really enhances the taste. In Peshawar, they also add some bone marrow, which takes it to the next level.
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You mean Nuli? Wonder how they do it as it is quite liquidy, probably marinate the meat with it. However it is the tastiest thing ever and takes anything it's added in to the next level, especially Nihari.
 
DeadBall said:
You mean Nuli? Wonder how they do it as it is quite liquidy, probably marinate the meat with it. However it is the tastiest thing ever and takes anything it's added in to the next level, especially Nihari.
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They don't marinate the meat with it. This is how it looks:

56f4ed4bb7811.jpg

You can see the yellow chunks of bone marrow. I think it might be lard, but they say it is nuli.
 
saadibaba said:
I worry when I see a restaurant's menu where they are calling their Kebab or Kabaab as "Kabob". I somehow tend to emphasize the later half of the word and end up adding an additional "o" between bob. Have been reprimanded by my better half on several occasions for this slip of the tongue, not sure if this is a Freudian slip or I just have dyslexia.
Click to expand...

Kabobs are mostly found in the USA, one of the reasons I have still to make a trip to the Americas. I'm sorry, but a vacation where they don't even know how to spell kebab, what are the chances you will find a decent one to eat?

As for the answer to the eternal question, my answer has to be England. We British have gathered together the best cooks from all over the globe, so whether you want an Afghan, Turkish or Pakistani kebab, you will find it in every city in England. Even Scotland for that matter although I can't speak for the quality as I imagine they taste mostly of jealousy and resentment.
 
Syrians. They are the masters at mutton kebabs & grilled chicken. I have never been disappointed when eating kebabs in syrian restos here in KSA.
 
hadi123 said:
Vote for them then.

My vote went to Turkey, I love Turkish food and their kebabs are great :)
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I did. Went to Turkey a few years ago but it was the western side closer to Greece and the kebabs were pretty tasteless. Will have to go to Istanbul the next time, more for the ambience than the food, you can get Turkish kebabs in any city in Britain.
 
Cpt. Rishwat said:
I did. Went to Turkey a few years ago but it was the western side closer to Greece and the kebabs were pretty tasteless. Will have to go to Istanbul the next time, more for the ambience than the food, you can get Turkish kebabs in any city in Britain.
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Don't think your vote went through then.
 
Pakistanian said:
I think they lack the flavor Pakistani kebabs have.
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In Pakistani kebabs the problem is too much masala, you cant even taste the meat

In Pakistan no doubt Pathans make the best Kebabs, their influence is from central asia.

In south asia, the only kebabs that are good are bihari kebabs, also some Kebabs from Lucknow
 
I'm slightly offended that India is even on the list... What kind of kabab they have? Aloo kabab?



On topic, I've had Turkish/Iranian/Lebanese kababs while each one of those have unique taste and the meat is properly cooked to be the right kind of tender but I find them a little tasteless. Maybe it is my desi upbringing that any food without spices seems hella bland to me. So for me nothing beats the Pakistani seekh or behari kabab. Sorry if the truth hurts someone's feelings.
 
Last edited:
Syed1 said:
I'm slightly offended that India is even on the list... What kind of kabab they have? Aloo kabab?



On topic, I've had Turkish/Iranian/Lebanese kababs while each one of those have unique taste and the meat is properly cooked to be the right kind of tender but I find them a little tasteless. Maybe it is my desi upbringing that any food without spices seems hella bland to me. So for me nothing beats the Pakistani seekh or behari kabab. Sorry if the truth hurts someone's feelings.
Click to expand...

Lol, you like bihari kebabs, you do know they are from bihar in India. Indian muslims have a lot different types of kebabs. Anyways south asian kebabs overall are no match to Turkish and Central Asian
 
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Snowed said:
Lol, you like bihari kebabs, you do know they are from bihar in India. Anyways south asian kebabs overall are no match to Turkish and Central Asian
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Yes there are plenty of people in Karachi who migrated from Bihar in India... My own cousins are married into Bihari families. I imagine the Biharis brought their kabab recipes with them when they moved to Pakistan and those left behind in India (overwhelming majority of whom who would be Hindu) wouldn't be making 'Bihari kababs' anyway because the main ingredient of the kabab is beef.
 
Cpt. Rishwat said:
I agree. It is like putting Pakistan on a list of best places to produce idli dosa.
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India is not only hindu. It has the biggest muslim population, they all eat kebabs. My mom side Migrated from Delhi to pakistan. Even if you watch Indian food shows, all the muslim areas have so many kebabs
 
Syed1 said:
Yes there are plenty of people in Karachi who migrated from Bihar in India... My own cousins are married into Bihari families. I imagine the Biharis brought their kabab recipes with them when they moved to Pakistan and those left behind in India (overwhelming majority of whom who would be Hindu) wouldn't be making 'Bihari kababs' anyway because the main ingredient of the kabab is beef.
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They use mutton, but bihari kebab is still very popular there, one of my bihari indian friends told me
 
Just like the true taste of Pakistani food can only really be experienced in Pakistan likewise the turkish food can only truly be judged after being in turkey. The kebap Imbiss in Western countries don't come close to it.
 
Snowed said:
In Pakistani kebabs the problem is too much masala, you cant even taste the meat

In Pakistan no doubt Pathans make the best Kebabs, their influence is from central asia.

In south asia, the only kebabs that are good are bihari kebabs, also some Kebabs from Lucknow
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Well Peshawar is in South Asia, so I'd say the chappali kebab is the best kebab in the region.
 
Snowed said:
India is not only hindu. It has the biggest muslim population, they all eat kebabs. My mom side Migrated from Delhi to pakistan. Even if you watch Indian food shows, all the muslim areas have so many kebabs
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Dude Indonesia highest muslim population followed by Pakistan, India is third.
 
Snowed said:
India is not only hindu. It has the biggest muslim population, they all eat kebabs. My mom side Migrated from Delhi to pakistan. Even if you watch Indian food shows, all the muslim areas have so many kebabs
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The best kebabs in the world are made by Punjabi Hindus and Sikhs in Delhi, India.

"Best" is of course a subjective opinion and my tastes are determined by my experience. I have found that the further west you move from Delhi the kebabs get blander. If you are used to spicy, then bland is not good. From the different kebabs I have sampled, the increasing order of blandness would be:

India < Pakistan < Iran < Lebanon < Greece
 
Napa said:
The best kebabs in the world are made by Punjabi Hindus and Sikhs in Delhi, India.

"Best" is of course a subjective opinion and my tastes are determined by my experience. I have found that the further west you move from Delhi the kebabs get blander. If you are used to spicy, then bland is not good. From the different kebabs I have sampled, the increasing order of blandness would be:

India < Pakistan < Iran < Lebanon < Greece
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I seriously doubt that since most hindus and even sikhs cant beef, key ingrediant in most kebabs. But anyways will try if i go to Delhi
 
Cpt. Rishwat said:
As for the answer to the eternal question, my answer has to be England. We British have gathered together the best cooks from all over the globe, so whether you want an Afghan, Turkish or Pakistani kebab, you will find it in every city in England. Even Scotland for that matter although I can't speak for the quality as I imagine they taste mostly of jealousy and resentment.
Click to expand...

You'd actually be surprised at the quality of kebabs from Scotland. I'd put it at least on a par or above England. The same goes for any desi food.
 
Snowed said:
I seriously doubt that since most hindus and even sikhs cant beef, key ingrediant in most kebabs. But anyways will try if i go to Delhi
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Chicken, fish, paneer and mutton kebabs are extremely tasty. Possibly a good fish kebab is the best among all kebabs I have eaten, followed by mutton.
 
Napa said:
Chicken, fish, paneer and mutton kebabs are extremely tasty. Possibly a good fish kebab is the best among all kebabs I have eaten, followed by mutton.
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Paneer kabab? I know Indian cuisine is very creative when it comes to utilizing paneer, but paneer kabab sounds like abomination. It is like having a veggie steak.

While I don't doubt that paneer kabab would probably be tasty, but a kabab without meat is not kabab. Perhaps it should be called grilled paneer that has a similar shape to a kabab.
 
meat eating has been traditionally associated with manliness. The whole process of hunting, slaughtering, dressing and cooking meat is not for softies. I guess that is why veggies are often meek and docile while meatkhors are testosterone ooozing macho warriors.
 
CricketCartoons said:
meat eating has been traditionally associated with manliness. The whole process of hunting, slaughtering, dressing and cooking meat is not for softies. I guess that is why veggies are often meek and docile while meatkhors are testosterone ooozing macho warriors.
Click to expand...

Don't know about India, but that is changing quite a lot over here. I can see meat eating becoming unfashionable within a generation or two due to perceptions of animal cruelty. Look in the food aisles of any supermarket and the meat free range is growing year on year. The fake meat products substituting soya for meat are a significant section on their own now.
 
Mamoon said:
Paneer kabab? I know Indian cuisine is very creative when it comes to utilizing paneer, but paneer kabab sounds like abomination. It is like having a veggie steak.

While I don't doubt that paneer kabab would probably be tasty, but a kabab without meat is not kabab. Perhaps it should be called grilled paneer that has a similar shape to a kabab.
Click to expand...

Like other things in life, your joy/pleasure is determined by what you are used to. Think about pleasure from eating a certain food being a certain amount of endorphins (or something else) being released by brain. It is quite possible that for a vegetarian the amount from a "paneer kebab" exceeds that a meat eater would get from a meat kebab.

Though you are appalled by the idea of a "paneer kebab", a Google search for the same yields 48K results :)

https://www.google.com/search?ei=OJ...er+kabab"&oq="paneer+kebab"+OR+"paneer+kabab"

The best combination of course is to 1) be hungry 2) have a beer 3) then have a kebab. That really gets the pleasure juices flowing.
 
The curious thing about Turkish Kebabs is that they actually taste very good in the UK but are not very good in Turkey. Even the Turkish people I've spoken to here in London have confirmed the same and it may have something to do with the quality of the meat.

Paratha Kebab rolls is one of my all time favorites probably because you just can't get anything like it here in London
 
i Would love to try Pakistani kebabs are they spicy and soft?

Every other country kebabs I have tried are just too bland..
 
Turkey
Pakistan
Afghanistan
Iran
Lebanon/Syria/Jordan etc

India makes a hell of a gulawati kebab tho.
 
Our Pathan brothers have this in the bag..... nothing comes close to Chapli Kebab.
 
Eagle_Eye said:
Our Pathan brothers have this in the bag..... nothing comes close to Chapli Kebab.
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Even the Pathans in the UK wipe the floor with the rest of the desis with grilled food in general. Even though I am a Punjabi, I have to admit, the daalkhor reputation has some merit.
 
Only Pakistan makes kebabs. The rest of the nations just make roasted or grilled pieces of chicken.
 
The best kebabs I ever had were surprisingly by a host family in Australia. I preferred them to what we get in Delhi.
 
AssassinatedDevil said:
Only Pakistan makes kebabs. The rest of the nations just make roasted or grilled pieces of chicken.
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What about the Turkish adana kebab? Made of mutton and tastes suspiciously like seekh kebabs but bit blander. Do you think they just copied our recipe and gave it a Turkish name?
 
Cpt. Rishwat said:
What about the Turkish adana kebab? Made of mutton and tastes suspiciously like seekh kebabs but bit blander. Do you think they just copied our recipe and gave it a Turkish name?
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Is this a trick question Rishwat Bhai? Pakistan is home to the best cuisine in the world. Everything that makes your mouth water can be traced back to Pakistan. Adana kebab is a spin on the name "Adnan", who just so happened to be the most skilled Kebab cook in Gulistan-e-Johor, Karachi.
 
Mamoon said:
It is quite unfortunate that the majority of you have not tried the chapli kabab that you get in Peshawar.

The stuff that you get in other cities of Pakistan are nothing but cheap imitations, because they are nowhere near the original stuff. I won't call them the best kababs in the world, but they are right up there.

I am personally not a fan of desi style kababs full of spices, and although I haven't been to Turkey yet, I have been to many Turkish and Lebanese restaurants and they are incredible. In fact, they are quite similar to the seekh kabab that we get in Peshawar.
Click to expand...

There was even a Chapli Kebab Burger at Chief’s, Peshawar’s homegrown fast food restaurant. I’m not sure if the establishment still exists, if it is still popular, or if they still have it on the menu. I tried it once, and it was fine, but I much preferred the original, ununecumbered by the bun and the condiments that accompany a burger.
 
Nostalgic said:
There was even a Chapli Kebab Burger at Chief’s, Peshawar’s homegrown fast food restaurant. I’m not sure if the establishment still exists, if it is still popular, or if they still have it on the menu. I tried it once, and it was fine, but I much preferred the original, ununecumbered by the bun and the condiments that accompany a burger.
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They call it the kabab burger, rather than the chapli kabab burger. It is is hybrid of a chapli kabab and a regular beef patty. Certainly not everyone's cup of tea.

Yes Chief still exists. In fact, they opened a new branch last year. It has lost some of its old charm though, mainly because there are many alternatives now and in order to compete better, they have "modernized" some of their items, thus losing their original taste.

Speaking of chapli kabab burgers, McDonald's Pakistan chicken chapli kabab burger last winter, wasn't a big hit. However, not sure if it was for Peshawar only or for the whole country.

Attempts to modernize the chapli kabab usually fail.
 
Napa said:
Like other things in life, your joy/pleasure is determined by what you are used to. Think about pleasure from eating a certain food being a certain amount of endorphins (or something else) being released by brain. It is quite possible that for a vegetarian the amount from a "paneer kebab" exceeds that a meat eater would get from a meat kebab.

Though you are appalled by the idea of a "paneer kebab", a Google search for the same yields 48K results :)

https://www.google.com/search?ei=OJ...er+kabab"&oq="paneer+kebab"+OR+"paneer+kabab"

The best combination of course is to 1) be hungry 2) have a beer 3) then have a kebab. That really gets the pleasure juices flowing.
Click to expand...

I don't doubt that it is succulent and delicious, but my only issue is with the name. A kabab cannot be kabab without meat, just like biryani cannot be biryani without rice.
 
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